Racism, Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals.

As some of you might have noticed, the launch of this episode has experienced a delay of two weeks.

We wanted to make sure that the message we share in this podcast addresses the topics we discuss just right. We also wanted this episode to go live in light of the recent events that have been unfolding in our societies across the globe: yes, we are talking about the issue of racism. Some of you might be wondering why a podcast focused on environmental issues is concerned about racism and others might be concerned that the anti-racism movement might distract us from our fight against climate change.

But have you have ever given thought on how these issues are interconnected?

As marine biologists, Ayana Johnson shared in her post in The Washington Post: “Stopping climate change is hard enough, but racism only makes it harder”. Leah Thomas, an upcoming social media environmental activist, shared a post on ‘intersectional environmentalism’ that has gone viral. She explains: Intersectional environmentalism is an inclusive form of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people AND the planet. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and minimizes or silences social inequality.

Ayana’s article and Leah’s post and triggered the topics discussed in this episode of we’re not doomed. In this episode, Stacey has an important conversation with Neelam Melwani, an expert of Sustainable Development on the concept of intersectional environmentalism and how this philosophy is evolving and slowly but surely being integrated into our societies, even at the level of diplomacy.

These are the post from Leah Thomas and the post from Ayana Johnson we are referencing to in the episode. To learn more on Intersectional Environmentalism, read this article called 'My environmentalism will be intersectional or it will be bullshit.' 

To learn more about the Sustainable Development goals, read this article on the Why SDG's matter and this 2020 SDG progress report.