Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team! From park rangers to environmental justice advocates, Black men and women are making a huge impact in the environmental movement. Therefore, in celebration of Black History Month, here is a list of some incredible black environmentalists that will bring knowledge and inspiration into your life! February is Black History Month in Canada and the United States when we celebrate black Canadians and Americans history and achievements. Ken Saro-Wiwa. Maathai is known for her work in democracy, human rights, and environmental conservation. She is credited with founding a non-governmental organization called The Green Belt Movement (GBM), which focuses on women's rights and environmental conservation. Bullards environmental career began in 1979. Black environmentalism focuses on the intersection of race and the environment. Bullarddescribedhis findings as a form of apartheid where whites were making decisions and black people and brown people and people of color, including Native Americans on reservations, had no seat at the table.. After an intense community-based air quality research study, and 13 years of Ms. Richards tireless leadership, the CCN finally reached an agreement with Shell that paid for the relocation of Old Diamond residents to new homes, in neighborhoods with clean air, water and soil. In 1990, he founded an organization called theMovement for the Survival of the Ogoni People. As an activist in the 1990s, Carter brought the South Bronx its first open-waterfront park in 60 years, and founded Sustainable South Bronx, an organization to mobilize grassroots environmental activism among New York Citys poorest and most environmentally oppressed citizens. 1. 8 inspiring leaders in the environmental movement who are igniting lasting change in their communities and beyond. The fight against institutionalized oppression is becoming more important than ever. Inspired by the horrific 1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill, Dr. Franciss legacy led to years on foot, during which he traveled across the United States and Latin America, receiving a Ph.D. in Land Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison along the way. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. (OGIC) in 2016 to help lead her community, to greater self-sufficiency through farm raised food, birth coaching, and community outreach. In 1971, he witnessed first-hand the destruction caused by the1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill. June 17, 2019 at 9:40 am. Here are just a few environmental heroes and their organizations who are fighting back against these systems, having an incredible impact not only in their local communities but across the U.S. 1. Laurie David burst onto the environmental stage in 2006 with her Academy Award-winning film An Inconvenient Truth. Full bio. Vote for Your Favourite Environmental Activists, (The First African Woman to Receive 'Nobel Peace Prize'), (Nigerian Writer & Environmental Activist Who Led Nonviolent Campaigns Against Environmental Degradation), Ken Saro-Wiwa was a Nigerian writer, environmental activist, and television producer. Outdoor Afro has become a cutting-edge network in the U.S. that helps people connect to black history found in many natural areas, while inspiring communities to protect vulnerable public lands for everyone. She oversees a highly-trained national volunteer leadership team who share opportunities to build a broader community, and promote leadership in conservation. SF Environment is featuring African American Environmentalists during Black History Month. Solomon Brown was the first African-American employee of the Smithsonian Institution. Her work led her to become the first black American to win the Goldman Environmental Award in 2004. In 1903, he became the first Black national park superintendent when he and his troops were asked to manage whats now Sequoia National Park in northern California. He rose in the ranks despite a lack of formal education, writing letters that help document the experience of a free Black man during the Civil War. In 2004, Maathai became the first African woman and the first environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to protect the environment. For more information, please see our University Websites Privacy Notice. That year his wife, attorney Linda McKeever Bullard,represented several residents of the Northwood Manor neighbourhoodof Houston, Texas, against a plan to build a municipal landfill next to their homes. John Francis foundedPlanetwalk a non-profit environmental awareness organization in 1982. For instance, in 2005, the non-governmental organization he co-founded theElla Baker Centre for Human Rights created a campaign calledGreen Collar Jobs. From urban and rural agriculturalists, environmental scientists, planetwalkers, and environmental justice activists, the legacy of black Environmentalists exists in our natural places, National Parks, and enacted policy. The Marvel HQ app includes Marvel games, trivia, and quizzes featuring your favorite Marvel Super Heroes, including: Spider-Man games, Avengers games, Iron Man games, Captain America games, Thor games, Hulk games, Black Panther games, Ant-Man games, The Wasp games, Black Widow games, Guardians of the Galaxy games, Groot games, Rocket Raccoon games, Ms. Marvel games, Squirrel Girl games, and . Today, Black women are reshaping the future of environmentalism in every field, from ecology to fashion and beyond. We cannot talk about environmental justice without addressing racial justice. The organization eventually went global, partnering with the United Nations in itsBillion Tree Campaign. In 1977, Wangari Maathai founded theGreen Belt Movementto help rural Kenyan women. Black Environmentalists Quotes & Sayings. If you take a glance at the extensive legacy of black American history, the intersections with conservation are undeniable. At Greensaver, we acknowledge this fact and continue to attempt to address both racial discrimination and climate change together. She was devoted to an African-American beach known as American Beach on Amelia island, Florida, that A.L. See our list of 2019 programmatic partners. In 1995, all nine, including Saro-Wiwa, were executed by hanging, which sparked international condemnation. The organizations work was successful, andin late-1993, Royal Dutch/Shell suspended operations on Ogoni land. After breaking his silence during the first Earth Day in 1990, Dr. Francis has gone on to an extensive career in conservation, as both an educator and environmental policy maker. George Washington Carver One of the most impactful conservationists in the United States' history, George Washington Carver healed land and uplifted farmers recently freed from slavery. He served under three Smithsonian secretaries. OA Leader Wandi, We are our ancestors' wildest dreams. He is best remembered for leading nonviolent campaigns against environmental degradation of Ogoniland, home to the Ogoni people of Nigeria. All Contents Urban Green Lab 2022 and Beyond | All Rights Reserved, Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative. which was founded in North Central Philadelphia by a diverse group of young people, unified by a vision to bridge the gap between isolated communities and transforming a 2-acre garbage dump into a farm. For this year's Black History Month, we chose to highlight some of the most prominent Black environmentalists and their extraordinary contributions to society. Stay up-to-date with news, events, and more blog posts bysigning upfor our email newsletter. In 1985 he published his first two novels, calledSongs in a Time of WarandSozaboy. Thunberg actually became famous for her work on climate change all at the age of about 14. Rue Mapp grew up in Northern California spending most of her time outside with her family kayaking, hiking, enjoying the water, and doing generally anything you can imagine a child doing when their family lives on a ranch with a lake. Visit Greenpeace Fund, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable entity created to increase public awareness and understanding of environmental issues through research, the media and educational programs. The 16-year-old Londoner Jessica Ahmed says she used to think: "Climate change doesn't affect me. Heidi Tyline King and Ekua Holmes are publishing a beautiful childrens book about Betschs life, which will be released this April. By Jeekc - Self-published work by Jeekc, CC BY 2.5, Well-known for her courage and determination, which saw her travel from England to Tanzania in the 1960s, Goodall is the typical environmentalist who became famous for it. As a result of the plant causing high cancer rates, this area was known as Cancer Alley.. Colored Heavy Artillery in 1865, at the end of the Civil War. Black celebrities have joined forces with brands and even started their own to combat climate change, protect the planet, and champion the efforts of local organizations and advocates. As a special advisor, he further helped the administration green the economy and create jobs. Outdoor Afro now has nearly 90 volunteers representing 30 states and has a board with representatives from some of the largest names in outdoor recreation including the Sierra Club and National Wildlife Federation. Environmental Racism in the American South, Conclusion: Many Amazing Black Environmentalists, How to Save Energy While Working From Home, Water Conservation: Everything You Need to Know, viable plan for solving the two biggest issues facing the country todaythe economy and the environment, Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House, d 300,000 Ogoni to demand a share in the revenue, in late-1993, Royal Dutch/Shell suspended operations on Ogoni land, The United Nations condemned the executions, cruel and callous act and imposed an arms embargo on Nigeria, paid $15.5 million in an out-of-court settlement, represented several residents of the Northwood Manor neighbourhood, five of the citys garbage dumps, six of the eight garbage incinerators, and three of the four landfills were in predominantly black neighbourhoods, organizing principles of environmental justice, first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate, joined calls to release political prisoners, travelled across North America and to South America, agreed to pay USD 5 million in relocation costs for residents, Everything You Need to Know About Insulation, Home Energy Evaluations: Everything You Need to Know. Robert Bullard. He is perhaps best known for writing one of the first in-depth works on environmental injustice, Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class and Environmental Quality.Since publishing Dumping in Dixie in 1990, he has led an incredible career in environmental justice, including writing many more books, earning the Sierra Club's 2013 John . After NRDC published the ignominious Alar report, which detailed the dangers of toxic pesticides, she worked with Wendy . Robert D. Bullard is an academic and environmentalist, often described as thefather of environmental justice. Saro-Wiwa studied at Government College, Umuahia and the University of Ibadan. Ken Saro-Wiwa's life and career inspired a couple of novels, namely, (Kenyan Environmental Activist and Entomologist), Thomas R. Odhiambo was a Kenyan environmental activist and entomologist. Allfive of the citys garbage dumps, six of the eight garbage incinerators, and three of the four landfills were in predominantly black neighbourhoods, despite blacks making up only 25% of the citys population. KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty. For instance, in 2005, the non-governmental organization he co-founded - the Ella Baker Centre for Human Rights - created a campaign called Green Collar Jobs. For more about his life, check out his TED Talk. In 2009, Fields founded the Black Feminist Project (formerly the BLK Projek),because she saw far too many women unable to rise out of poverty and sustain their families. Dr. Wright is the founder and director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ), and is also a professor of Sociology at Dillard University in New Orleans.She has veteran advocate for environmental justice, committed DSCEJ to focusing on restoring the city of New Orleans and its residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. Although she traveled to Germany and France to perform on stage, she gave up that career to return to her home in Florida, ultimately giving away her sizable inheritance to environmental causes. But this is an awfully big burden to put on a person who will have to bear the brunt of a crisis she had nothing to do with making. 1. Community Meeting on March 15th at Dorothy Height Library. He is the program director for Planetwalk, a nonprofit environmental awareness organization. He wrote: Indeed, a journey through this park and the Sierra Forest Reserve to the Mount Whitney country will convince even the least thoughtful man of the needfulness of preserving these mountains just as they are, with their clothing of trees, shrubs, rocks, and vines, and of their importance to the valleys below as reservoirs for storage of water for agricultural and domestic purposes.. Their contributions . In his decades-long journey, Dr. Francis observed the mutual disconnect between people and the environment, and urged people to reposition themselves as intricate pieces in the overall concept of the environment. Dorceta Taylor. In the 1990s, Bullard became one of the most prominent advocates for environmental justice in the United States. Margie Eugene-Richard, 2004 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner, North America (United States), holding Ouroboros statuette. Freillas passion for community self-determination, personal transformation, and creating solutions to social injustice drives the incredible work he does. Bradshaw is a social justice entrepreneur who founded. He also worked in television and created a comedy television series calledBasi and Companyin 1986, which ran for over 150 episodes. 2. This Black History Month, and every month, we honor these leaders and will do our part to amplify their voices and their impact to ensure that history is recorded accurately. After the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, she shot to fame when Leah's Instagram post urging environmentalists to join the Black Lives Matter campaign went viral. He understood what few others at the time did: the basic interconnectedness between the health of the land and people. 5. Top Celebrity Environmentalists. In a world where environmental burdens and benefits as well as the impacts of climate change are not borne equally across communities, black environmentalism necessitates that we incorporate anti-racism and . Gardening can easily be overlooked as an act of resistance, but . 7 Black Environmentalists Who Are Making a Difference. In the present day, Carter works to help people in low-income communities realize that they dont have to move out of their neighborhoods in order to live in a healthier environment. Julia 'Butterfly' Hill is an American environmentalist best known for living in a 1,500-year-old California redwood for 738 days to prevent Pacific Lumber Company loggers from cutting it down. As a result of her work, Margie Richard won theGoldman Environmental prizein 2004. People should KNOW! She campaigns to address environmental protection and environmental health policy both locally and nationally. Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental, social, and political activist. Outdoor Afro has become a cutting-edge network in the U.S. that helps people connect to black history found in many natural areas, while inspiring communities to protect vulnerable public lands for everyone. This organization worked to force Shell to pay for the resettlement costs for people in the area. During the 2011-2012 academic year, he was avisiting professorat the University of Wisconsin-Madisons Institute for Environmental Studies. Peggy Shepard is co-founder and executive director of WE ACT For Environmental Justice and has a long history of organizing and engaging Northern Manhattan residents in community-based planning. In 2004, the Nobel Committee awarded Wangari Maathai theNobel Peace Prizefor her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. The committee further noted she stood at the front of the fight to promote ecologically viable social, economic and cultural development in Kenya and Africa.. John Francis is an environmentalist nicknamed theplanetwalker. The Nigerian government arrested Saro-Wiwa and eight others in 1994 after four Ogoni chiefs died at a political rally. The Ogoni land is yet to receive an independent inquiry over Shell's damage. because she saw a need for her community to have a deeper connection to nature. Savonala "Savi" Horne. Johnsons experience with living off the grid is something she feels is important to share with others. Green Worker Cooperatives is a South-Bronx based organization dedicated to incubating worker-owned green businesses in order to build a strong local economy rooted in democracy and environmental justice. Jane quite possible the most famous environmentalists. After founding the Movement, Maathai realized that the poor womens environmental hardships were linked to societal issues, including disempowerment. Kinkri Devi is a famous activist and environmentalist of India who waged a war on the illegal quarrying and mining in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Jones himself has described it as a viable plan for solving the two biggest issues facing the country todaythe economy and the environment.. Alice Kurima Newberry is the Community Manager Associate at Greenpeace USA. Greta Thunberg. The great-granddaughter of Florida's first Black millionaire, A.L. 1. Lewis had created during the Jim Crow era to provide a respite for Blacks who weren't allowed on other beaches. Its a shame, since Black and brown communities often suffer the worst impacts from environmental damage due to systemic racism. Maybe you'll find someone on this list who you didn't know was such a steward for environmental issues. In conclusion, there are many noteworthy black environmentalists who have worked and continue to work tirelessly to protect our planet. The organization focuses on three key areas: Connecting Black People to the Outdoors, Reimagining Blackness in the Outdoors and Protecting the Outdoors. SZA x TAZO Tea SZA joined forces with TAZO Tea company to create the TAZO Tree Corps. Despite racial animosity, he excelled in his career and was promoted multiple times, receiving the rank of Captain. The organization quickly began focusing on the destruction of the Niger Delta region by Royal Dutch/Shell and the lives of local people. 3 Ways Racial and Environmental Justice Are Connected, as Explained by the Vision for Black Lives, Fighting Back in the Shadow of Risk and Environmental Injustice in Louisiana, Kaitlyn Greenidge on our Climate in Crisis. An activist, organizer, research assistant and one of Canada's Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25, Tina Yeonju Oh has crammed quite a few accomplishments into her 20 years on the planet thus far. and creator of the academy model of cooperative development. 5. This campaign aimed to help low-income residents of Oakville, California, find a job in local green industries. Charles Young was born to parents who escaped enslavement and shortly after, his father joined the U.S. In Southern Louisiana sits an area known as Old Diamond, a small neighborhood in Norco where residents are sandwiched between a Shell Chemical plant and an oil refinery owned by a Shell joint venture. She was the first African American to win the award. 12 Environmental Leaders and Activists. From fossil fuel divestment to clean air and water, the Vision for Black Lives is full of solutions for people and the planet. Here are a few Black celebs involved with green efforts. help address food justice and economic development by harnessing the local, good food movement and creating small business and career opportunities for underserved women and youth of color. Therefore, the Green Belt movement organized the women to plant new trees and receive payment for their work. Black celebrities have joined forces with brands and even started their own to combat climate change, protect the planet, and champion the efforts of local organizations and advocates. Majora Carter, American urban revitalization strategist and public radio host. She campaigns to address environmental protection and environmental health policy both locally and nationally. Source: Vanessa Nakate Vanessa Nakate Meryl Streep's move towards activism began in the 80's, when the 17-time Academy Award nominated actress began advocating for the Natural Resource Defense Council to raise awareness for environmental issues. Birthdate: October 10, 1941. In 1989, she formed an organization called theConcerned Citizens of Norco. Fredrick Ngugi. In honor of Black History Month, the Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) will be highlighting just a handful of the incredible black environmentalists who have made a difference in the world. Van Jones is one of the most famous black environmentalists on the planet. In 2013, Young was recognized as a true American hero, when President Barack Obama used the Antiquities Act to designate Youngs house as the 401st unit of the National Park System, the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. Jane Goodall, World's foremost expert on chimpanzees. Throughout history, communities of color have been disproportionally impacted by climate change and access to environmental resources, pollution, toxic soil and water, the list goes on and on. Enjoy reading and share 13 famous quotes about Black Environmentalists with everyone. He spent 22 years walking through the U.S. and South America, which earned him the nickname Planet . What started as a whim and grew into a multifaceted organization, Chantel Johnson founded. Mapp foundedOutdoor Afrobecause she saw a need for her community to have a deeper connection to nature. Carter was also awarded a Genius Grant by the John D. and Katherine T. McArthur Foundation. He supported many of the concepts of modern environmentalism believing that we must take care of the earth and all its inhabitants. Freillas passion for community self-determination, personal transformation, and creating solutions to social injustice drives the incredible work he does. However, Black people have not stayed on the sidelines when it comes to the historical conservation movement. Given the history of environmental racism that disproportionately impacts Black people and other people of color, it's no wonder why there are so many causes working to raise awareness, and putting in the work to combat climate change.. Studies have shown that discriminatory housing practices like redlining have left Black neighborhoods particularly . In the 1890s, a new type of character began filling the song-sheets and stages, that of the urban . This Black History Month and beyond, we recognize and celebrate the efforts of 11 Black Environmental Activists (and so many more), working to make the world a better, healthier, and more just place. Wangari Maathai: Black Environmentalist and Founder of the Green Belt Movement. In 2007, Jones created another non-governmental organization calledGreen For All. The environmental movement has a troubled past. Betsch would have known these indignities personally. As she grew older, she realized how unique her upbringing was compared to other Black Americans and became inspired to change this. This vow lasted for 22 years, during which hetravelled across North America and to South America. Died: November 10, 1995. A post shared by Urban Creators (@urbancreators). However, the Green Belt Movement does more than plant trees; they work with local communities to hire womens groups to plant the trees in an effort to not only improve the local environment but improve the lives of the people living in it. In celebration of Black History Month, and the often untold contributions made by black environmentalists, we will be highlighting four black Americans who have advanced and innovated the fields of conservation, environmentalism, and activism: Dr. John Francis, Majora Carter, Charles Young, and Margie Richard. Home Latest Posts Recipes Sustainability About Contact Patreon Latest Posts Recipes Sustainability About Contact Patreon Back All All It was through the legacy of his father, who had escaped slavery to join the Union Army during the Civil War, that Young attended West Point Military Academy. She leads an organization that provides assistance to all financially distressed and limited resource farmers and landowners through the use of litigation, public policy, and promoting sustainable agriculture and environment. He is credited with founding an international scientific research institute called. Urban Green Lab thrives due to charitablesupportfrom readers like you. This blog quickly turned into a non-profit that is now operating nationally as Outdoor Afro. 702 H Street, NW, STE 300, Washington, D.C. 20001 | 1-800-722-6995. , an organization that works to stop land loss in African-American communities throughout North Carolina. Most work at the junction of environmentalism and poverty, which affects black and other minorities disproportionately. The organizations goal was to create a green economy across the United States while simultaneously providing a pathway out of poverty. But he knew about a lot more than just the peanut. Johnsons experience with living off the grid is something she feels is important to share with others. In response to a devastating earthquake in Haiti, CLF partners with various organizations to distribute over $1 million to provide a combination of emergency aid as well as investment into long-term climate resilience projects in Haiti. In 2008, he published his first book theGreen Collar Economy. Ken Saro-Wiwa was a Nigerian writer, environmental activist, and television producer. In 1998, after filming Titanic, the actor established a nonprofit foundation that promotes environmental awareness and pledged $15 million in 2016 to help decrease the world's dependency on fossil fuels.DiCaprio has also served on the boards of ecological organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Global Green . Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental, social, and political activist.