Intersectionality

How is it connected to sustainability?

Intersectional Environmentalism is an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalised communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and doesn't minimise or silence social inequality.

How are Black people and people of colour (BIPOC) affected?

BIPOC are more likely to suffer from air pollution and be situated nearer environmentally hazardous locations such as fracking sites, waste incinerators and landfill in the UK. These impacts only add to the existing health inequalities between ethnic minorities and white groups.

Loss and damage caused by climate change through heatwaves, crop failures and extreme weather prominently occurs in the Global South where BIPOC are more likely to be affected. Global south countries often have less resources available to repair damage and build resilient infrastructure for these extreme weather conditions caused by climate change.

Sources

Guardian

The King's Fund

How do these issues affect and create Refugees?

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates climate related events have displaced 22.5 million people already and expected to increase exponentially as temperatures rise. This could be directly caused by extreme weather events but also secondary events driven by climate instability such as conflict, economic failure and political unrest.

Global south countries that face these most dire impacts of global warming and displacement, yet collectively emit only a fraction of the world's emmissions compared the Global north countries. It is essential that climate refugees are given more protection &recognition. Alongside empathy and fair solutions from countries in the Global North rather than heightening hostility.

Sources

UNHCR

Nature Climate Change

How are women affected?

Women have been found to be more likely to suffer human-rights abuses in the aftermath of disasters such as human-trafficking or sexual violence at temporary accommodation or as refugees. Eco-fascist views of blaming environmental destruction solely on overpopulation rather than over-consumption risks compromising women's reproductive rights.

Sources

Brookings

Skin Deep Learnings

Honi Soit

How is the LGBTQ+ community affected?

LGBTQ+ community are likely to suffer more from the consequences of climate-related disasters as evidence has found them being denied relief and facing discrimination.

How are people with disabilities affected?

It has been evidenced that people with disabilities are more likely to suffer more climate crisis events due to a range of issues depending on the disability.

How are indigenous communities affected?

Few countries are evidenced as recognising indigenous land rights, with ancestral land often being used without proper consultation for damaging industries. Ironically conservation programs and renewable projects have led to forced eviction and harm to indigenous communities without recognising their custodian relationship with the environment which is sustainable for both them and surrounding ecosystems.

Sources

United Nations

Standford Review

Curious Earth

These are only some of examples of the intersectionality between the environment and climate issues with other demographics.