Week Six: Climate Justice, Food Sustainability, & Black Lives Matter
1. Who is Leah Thomas, and what happened at COP 26?
Leah Thomas is a writer, environmental activist, and founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, a platform that advocates for environmental justice by addressing the connections between social and environmental issues. She is known for promoting intersectional environmentalism, which highlights how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental problems. Thomas attended COP26 as an activist advocating for environmental justice, particularly emphasizing the need for inclusive climate policies that consider racial, social, and economic inequalities.
2. Watch the video about Harlem Grown and visit their website. Choose one key aspect of the genesis and growth of this project that inspires you. How does this initiative relate to mutual aid, community health, and sustainability?
One inspiring aspect of Harlem Grown's genesis is how it transformed a neglected urban space into a thriving community farm, fostering youth engagement and revitalizing the neighborhood. Founded by Tony Hillery, the initiative began by converting an abandoned lot into a vibrant urban farm, providing local children with hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition.
This initiative embodies mutual aid by actively involving community members in cultivating and sharing fresh produce, directly addressing local food insecurity. By empowering residents to participate in food production, Harlem Grown fosters a sense of ownership and solidarity. The program's focus on educating youth about healthy eating and sustainable practices contributes to improved community health outcomes. Additionally, by promoting urban agriculture, Harlem Grown enhances environmental sustainability within the community.
3. What is Intersectional Environmentalism, and how does it relate to Black Lives Matter?
Intersectional Environmentalism is an approach to environmental activism that recognizes the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues. Coined and popularized by Leah Thomas, it advocates for climate justice while addressing the systemic inequalities that disproportionately impact marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Unlike traditional environmentalism, which often focuses solely on conservation and sustainability, intersectional environmentalism highlights how factors like race, economic status, and historical oppression shape people’s experiences of environmental harm. It calls for inclusive solutions that uplift communities most affected by climate change, pollution, and resource exploitation.
This concept directly relates to the Black Lives Matter movement, as both emphasize the fight against systemic racism and its consequences. Environmental racism—the disproportionate exposure of Black communities to pollution, toxic waste, and climate disasters—is a critical issue within intersectional environmentalism. For example, Black neighborhoods often suffer from higher rates of air pollution, inadequate access to green spaces, and environmental neglect due to discriminatory policies like redlining. By integrating environmental justice into racial justice movements like BLM, intersectional environmentalism ensures that the fight for Black lives includes the right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment.
4. Who is Leah Penniman? What is Soul Fire Farm, and why is it important to the climate movement (2-3 paragraphs)?
Leah Penniman is a farmer, educator, author, and food justice activist dedicated to dismantling racism in the food system. She co-founded Soul Fire Farm, a BIPOC-centered community farm in upstate New York, with the mission of addressing food apartheid and reconnecting Black and Indigenous communities with land and agriculture. Penniman is also the author of Farming While Black, a guide to sustainable farming practices rooted in African and Indigenous traditions, aimed at empowering marginalized communities to reclaim food sovereignty.
Soul Fire Farm plays a vital role in the climate movement by promoting regenerative agriculture, a set of farming techniques that restore soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce reliance on industrial agriculture. The farm’s programs train new generations of farmers, particularly BIPOC individuals, in sustainable practices that combat climate change while addressing systemic food inequities. By advocating for policies that support land access and food justice, Soul Fire Farm is not only fighting environmental degradation but also ensuring that historically excluded communities have the resources and knowledge to lead in the fight for a sustainable future.
5. Explore "Black Forager" aka Alexis Nikole on TikTok or Instagram (@blackforager): choose a favorite post and, ideally, try the recipe! What is your experience of her content and what important issues does she raise? What elements are key to the incredible growth of her following?
I have actually been following her since the beginning of TikTok! I found her videos comforting, especially during the pandemic, when sanitizing groceries was a common occurrence.
Her content is a vibrant blend of education, entertainment, and advocacy. She raises awareness about food sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and reconnecting with nature. By highlighting the abundance of edible plants in urban and rural settings, she challenges conventional food systems and promotes self-reliance. Her joyful and approachable style makes complex botanical knowledge accessible, inspiring a diverse audience to explore the natural world around them.
Several elements contribute to the remarkable growth of her following:
Authenticity: Her genuine passion for foraging and storytelling resonates deeply with viewers.
Educational Content: She provides valuable information on plant identification and culinary uses, empowering viewers to learn and apply new skills.
Representation: As a Black woman in a field where diversity is often lacking, she brings unique perspectives and fosters inclusivity, inspiring others from underrepresented communities.
Engaging Presentation: Her use of humor, music, and relatable anecdotes creates an enjoyable learning experience that keeps audiences returning for more.
6. How do you define food sovereignty in your own life? Do you grow your own food? Do you forage? Compost? Did the pandemic change your food habits? How do you connect to the 'black gold' of soil? Have you ever volunteered at a community garden?
I wish I had the skills and time to grow my own food, and I possibly will in the near future. I never got to grow up in a household where that was the priority. I have some experience in planting flowers in school/ community gardens. I find that community gardens are also very well maintained; this is a test to the determination of the community members in creating a space that is loved and cared for.
7. One-paragraph bio on Xiye Bastida
Xiye Bastida is a Mexican-Chilean climate activist and one of the leading voices in the youth climate movement. She is an Indigenous environmental advocate and a key organizer of Fridays for Future NYC, where she has mobilized thousands in climate strikes. Born in Mexico and later relocating to New York, Bastida’s activism is deeply rooted in Indigenous environmental knowledge and the need for systemic change to address the climate crisis. She is also a co-founder of the Re-Earth Initiative, a youth-led organization promoting inclusive climate action. Through her advocacy, public speaking, and leadership, Bastida emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in the fight for climate justice, ensuring that Indigenous and marginalized voices are at the forefront of environmental solutions.
