There is no climate justice without
racial and social justice.
Why climate justice?
350 Wisconsin believes that climate justice is not possible without racial justice. We stand in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, those working to achieve justice for people of color, and those demanding action to confront the forces that have allowed systemic racism to persist. While all members of our society are harmed and endangered by climate change and its impacts — such as wildfires, floods, new diseases, and hurricanes — people of color suffer disproportionately, largely due to systemic racism and wealth disparities.
What is the Climate Justice Team?
The Climate Justice Team elevates climate and racial justice as a priority within 350 Wisconsin; educates members on the linkages between systemic racism and climate change; raises awareness of the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and low-income communities; and promotes and encourages members to take action to fight racism in both the climate movement and their personal lives. The team also supports BIPOC-led organizations in their work to achieve social, racial, and climate justice goals.
Our goals
- Generate more expansive, inclusive, and effective ideas for fighting climate change by expanding our membership to new communities and organizations.
- Form allegiances and alliances to grow the political power of climate and racial justice groups to achieve our common goals.
- Increase our understanding of history and white supremacy, and how the systems of racism, classism, and exploitation have created disparities in our communities, and also led to climate change. Promote these understandings within the organization in order to inform our work, and also our membership as a whole.
Key racial and climate justice terms
Learn…
Some helpful resources:
- Black Lives Matter: The link between climate change and racial justice explores the intersection between the Black Lives Matter movement and climate justice and ways in which climate change and racial justice are related.
- ‘Toxic Neighbors’: On the Front Lines of the Environmental Justice Movement is a case study of one sacrifice zone in LA and the fight for environmental justice.
- How Climate Change Disproportionately Affects People of Color answers the question of why and how climate change disproportionately affects people of color. It examines the rising temperatures communities of color face and the impact on their health.
- Poor LA Neighborhoods Suffer ‘Surface Heat’ Unlike Wealthy Cities examines the neighborhoods within LA that suffer disproportionately higher ‘surface heat’ (land surface temperature).
- This Map Shows the Gaps Between Who Is Causing Climate Change and Who Is Suffering From It explains how the biggest emitters in the world are not the ones suffering the gravest consequences of climate change.
- The TED talk Racism and Climate Change Are About YOU examines the intersections of climate change and racism.
- The webinar Racism Is a Public Health Crisis, hosted by Haymarket Books, brings together labor and community activists to examine the connections between racism and public health.
- ‘A Lot at Stake’: Indigenous and Minorities Sidelined on Climate Change Fight explores how people of color are sidelined in the fight against climate change, despite being disproportionately harmed by its impacts.
Reflect…
- What role do racism and classism play in the climate change movement?
- How is the climate crisis experienced differently by people of different races and income levels?
- How does relative privilege impact individuals’ position in the climate justice movement?
- Do you believe you have privilege due to your race? If so, how can you use your privilege to support the inclusion of more marginalized voices in the climate justice movement?
Artist: Ricardo Levins Morales
Act!
How can you further amplify the voices of BIPOC organizations within the climate justice movement? How can you act to eliminate racial and climate injustices?
- Join 350 Wisconsin’s Climate Justice Team! We meet the second Monday of the month, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (currently on Zoom). The team discusses current racial and climate justice issues, plans team actions, and shares information on upcoming climate justice events sponsored by other organizations. For meeting information and any other questions, email Marian Fredal.
- Support other organizations doing racial justice and climate justice work! Here are just a few:
Connect with us! Sign up for the 350 Wisconsin email list here.
