As Earth Day approaches once again, countless organizations, activists and advocates will put a spotlight on the increasing climate crisis. But since its origins, there has been a glaring hole within the leadership of the climate movement and it's the people impacted the most who are often missing from the conversation. That's where Black Girl Environmentalist, a non-profit organization seeking to empower Black girls, women, and non-binary people to join the movement, comes in.
The non-profit, founded by Wawa Gatheru, was created to amplify the concerns she had about the inclusion of Black women in climate spaces. After writing a viral story about racism in environmental studies in 2020, Wawa decided that she need to create a new space for Black girls and non-binary people to be seen and heard.
Below Wawa tells Teen Vogue about the origins of the organization, why it's so important to amplify, and how others can get involved.
Teen Vogue: Can you explain the origins of your organization?
Wawa Gatheru: I decided to dedicate my life to environmental justice at the age of 15 after learning about how the climate crisis connects to and exacerbates every other social issue. Throughout the past several years, I've worn a ton of different hats — as a youth activist, organizer, writer, and student. And yet, throughout my journey, there were so many times that I felt alone. Rarely were Black people and Black women being centered in the environmental spaces I was in, and rarely were our concerns being listened to. In the summer of 2020, I wrote an article that went viral discussing the racism that is present in environmental studies and scholarship. I received hundreds of messages from Black girls and women from around the world who related to my experiences and felt seen. I had a light bulb moment — what if I utilized that moment to create a space where we could be seen, empowered, and supported? And thus, the idea for BGE was born.
TV: Why is it so important to have a space for Black women and non-binary people within environmentalism?
WG: The climate crisis is an ecological crisis, but it's also a narrative crisis. When the everyday person thinks of an environmentalist, they don't often think of people of color — let alone Black women. Which is a travesty for a number of reasons; One: Black women around the globe have a long tradition of being stewards of the land and leading on climate solutions. Two: This false narrative isolates those already here and discourages others from getting involved.
Black girls, women, and non-binary folks are uniquely positioned to be environmental leaders. Not just because we are at the forefront of environmental injustice but because our unique position in the world provides us with innovative perspectives and expertise that the climate movement desperately needs. By addressing the existing recruitment and retention issue that exists in the environmental movement, we are ensuring that BGEs are supported and empowered in their environmental journeys.
And finally, it's important because Black girls, women, and non-binary people deserve to have a seat at the environmental decision-making table. Because we deserve to not only survive, but thrive in a just climate future. A Black climate renaissance is quickly approaching and Black Girl Environmentalist is here to help nurture it into fruition. This movement is for ALL of us.
TV: What is climate doomism and why is it particularly important for your organization to combat it?
WG: Climate doomism is the idea that taking action to reduce the threat of climate change is pointless because it's already too late. Not only is this concept factually incorrect (we are actually in the most important decade FOR climate action), but it is grounded in privilege. For so many Black communities around the world, giving up — especially right now — is not an option. Black Girl Environmentalist, simply by existing, combats climate doomism. We are asserting that Black girls, women, and non-binary individuals have a unique role to play in climate solutions and can experience joy at the same time.
TV: When young people want to get involved in climate activism, where do you tell them to start?
WG: I am a huge proponent of the Climate Venn Diagram as a way for young people to find meaningful ways to engage in climate action. Created by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, the activity asks folks to fill three circles (aka fill out the venn diagram) using the following prompts:
- What are you good at?
- What is the work that needs doing?
- What brings you joy and satisfaction?
The connection points will point you in the direction of where you can start!
TV: Are there any specific goals your organization has in the next year?
WG: Black Girl Environmentalist began as an Instagram community [in] January 2021 and officially relaunched as a nonprofit in January 2023. In this new era, Black Girl Environmentalist is focused on expanding our HUB program (we are currently in 9 cities across the U.S., from Los Angeles to Philly to Dallas to Chicago) and cultivating safe spaces for BGEs across the country to experience joy in the climate movement. Each hub will work with at least one community service partner to give back and grow place-based relationships. Our goal is to be in 20 cities in the next year!
We have a lot of exciting partnerships taking place right now, including working with Pharrell's Something in the Water [cultural festival] and the nonprofit Support + Feed to host community events around climate in the Virginia Beach area next year.
Additionally, we look forward to launching some really exciting programming, including a digital climate organizing incubator program for Black content creators and a fellowship that will place BGEs at exciting environmental internships next summer. We will also be hosting a large summit for BGEs around the country and look forward to announcing more soon!
Ultimately, BGE will continue to work to change the narrative around environmentalism and who can be involved. We want the entire world to know that Black girls are environmentalists too!!!
TV: Who are some of the thought leaders that you work with, and what types of work are they doing?
WG: There are truly COUNTLESS other Black Girl Environmentalists that I adore and look up to. They include my friend Maya Penn, climate activist, animator, and director of the forthcoming original animated short, Asali: Power of the Pollinator, Arielle King, the incredible programming director of Black Girl Environmentalist and my right hand in all things BGE, and Ebony Twilley Martin, who recently became the first Black women executive director of a national legacy environmental organization in the US as the sole ED of GreenPeace USA. And believe me, I could go on and on! We are here and doing the damn thing every day. We always have been.
Earth Day 2023 is on Saturday, April 22.
