Intersectional environmentalism

Intersectional environmentalism is a term used to advocate for both the well-being of humans and the planet, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or class. The concept centers around environmental issues such as climate crisis and natural disasters that leave minority communities and marginalized groups in high-risk situations that are also life-threatening. Climate Activist Leah Thomas defines the term Intersectional environmentalism, as “... an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet.” In June, 2020, during the George Floyd protests, Leah Thomas, who graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Chapman University in 2017, published to Instagram an illustration stating, “Environmentalists for Black Lives Matter” with the caption “Social justice cannot wait. It is not an optional 'add-on' to environmentalism.” She explained the term "intersectional environmentalism" as the more inclusive version of environmentalism in which there is advocacy for marginalized groups. After her post went viral she went on to create the organization called Intersectional Environmentalist. Thomas openly credits the origin of intersectional environmentalism to Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Examples
Class
Rich and middle class communities often will create Not In My BackYard (NIMBY) laws meaning that poorer neighborhoods would more often be chosen for environmentally hazardous projects such as landfills and power plants. In her article "Intersectional Environmentalism: Why Environmental Justice Is Essential For A Sustainable Future", Thomas explains how it is more difficult for people in lower income communities to have a place safe from pollution and toxic waste.
Race
Communities of color are the most affected by environmental health and economic issues. A few examples of these issues included asthma in young children, poor water and air quality. In the perspective of Leah Thomas this can be due to the low number of lawmakers in congress that identify as people of color who are willing to make changes to laws from similar communities they could have come from
Immigration status
High risk jobs are often held by people who are immigrants especially undocumented ones. Often these hazards are caused by or exacerbated the environment these people are working in.<ref name=":1" />
Disability

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