On #WorldEnvironmentDay, let's focus on environmental racism.
The #BlackLivesMatter protests in the US – & the focus they've given to anti-racist struggles in Europe – are the outcome of a capitalist, racist system.
It's the same system that's trashing the planet. (1/10)
The #BlackLivesMatter protests in the US – & the focus they've given to anti-racist struggles in Europe – are the outcome of a capitalist, racist system.
It's the same system that's trashing the planet. (1/10)
First up, let’s unpack the idea of “race”.
As @ijeomaoluo puts it, “Race was not only created to justify a racially exploitative economic system, it was invented to lock people of colour into the bottom of it.”
#WorldEnvironmentDay (2/10)
As @ijeomaoluo puts it, “Race was not only created to justify a racially exploitative economic system, it was invented to lock people of colour into the bottom of it.”
#WorldEnvironmentDay (2/10)
Racism isn’t about individual actions, or clichés based on skin colour. It’s a system of power based on racial prejudice.
It's a machine designed to give white people power.
(If you think this isn’t a problem in Europe, look at the EU institutions) #WorldEnvironmentDay (3/10)
It's a machine designed to give white people power.
(If you think this isn’t a problem in Europe, look at the EU institutions) #WorldEnvironmentDay (3/10)
So what does this have to do with the environment?
As the climate breaks down and ecological systems collapse, as pollution is pumped out into the world – the impacts are not felt evenly.
They reinforce existing these structural inequalities. #WorldEnvironmentDay
As the climate breaks down and ecological systems collapse, as pollution is pumped out into the world – the impacts are not felt evenly.
They reinforce existing these structural inequalities. #WorldEnvironmentDay
In the UK, Black people are 28% more likely to be exposed to air pollution than white people.
#WorldEnvironmentday (5/10)
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
#WorldEnvironmentday (5/10)
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Across Europe, Roma communities often live on polluted wastelands and lack water or sanitation.
This is environmental racism.
#WorldEnvironmentDay (6/10)
theguardian.com/world/2020/apr…
This is environmental racism.
#WorldEnvironmentDay (6/10)
theguardian.com/world/2020/apr…
It’s also an international issue.
Countries in the Global North, run by white people, have caused climate breakdown, but its impacts are felt most keenly by people of colour in the Global South.
It’s a racist dynamic.
#WorldEnvironmentDay (7/10)
Countries in the Global North, run by white people, have caused climate breakdown, but its impacts are felt most keenly by people of colour in the Global South.
It’s a racist dynamic.
#WorldEnvironmentDay (7/10)
This is a legacy of colonialism: rich, western European countries made their money off the back of stolen land, resources and lives.
Today, Europe's demand for fossil fuels & resources from the Global South perpetuates this pattern of exploitation.
#WorldEnvironmentDay (8/10)
Today, Europe's demand for fossil fuels & resources from the Global South perpetuates this pattern of exploitation.
#WorldEnvironmentDay (8/10)
What this means is: on #WorldEnvironmentDay, and every day, we stand in full solidarity with Black communities and people of colour everywhere who are fighting for their rights and working to dismantle the exploitative, oppressive system.
(9/10)
(9/10)
If you’re a white person reading this who’s interested in environmental justice, – find out how you can support anti-racist struggles where you are. Read up, donate to them, show up, and listen.
We’ll dismantle the system together, or not at all. #WorldEnvironmentDay (10/10)
We’ll dismantle the system together, or not at all. #WorldEnvironmentDay (10/10)
