The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet
Author: Leah Thomas
Publisher: Voracious
Goodreads | The StoryGraph
Click above to buy this book from my Bookshop.org shop, which supports independent bookstores (not Amazon). You can also find it via your favorite indie bookstore here.
Cover Description
A primer on intersectional environmentalism aimed at educating the next generation of activists on how to create meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable change.
The Intersectional Environmentalist is an introduction to the intersection between environmentalism, racism, and privilege, and an acknowledgment of the fundamental truth that we cannot save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people -- especially those most often unheard. Written by Leah Thomas, a prominent voice in the field and the activist who coined the term "Intersectional Environmentalism," this book is simultaneously a call to action, a guide to instigating change for all, and a pledge to work towards the empowerment of all people and the betterment of the planet.
In The Intersectional Environmentalist, Thomas shows how not only are Black, Indigenous and people of color unequally and unfairly impacted by environmental injustices, but she argues that the fight for the planet lies in tandem to the fight for civil rights; and in fact, that one cannot exist without the other. An essential read, this book addresses the most pressing issues that the people and our planet face, examines and dismantles privilege, and looks to the future as the voice of a movement that will define a generation.
TL;DR Review
The Intersectional Environmentalist is a short but impactful read. While I did know some of the things it teaches, I learned plenty new and felt re-called to action.
For you if: You want to start to merge your feminism, antiracism, and environmentalism.
Full Review
The Intersectional Environmentalist is a quick and easy read (the audiobook is only four hours long), but it packs a lot of good stuff in. Leah Thomas is the founder of a climate justice collective by the same name; it’s well known, with 423K followers on Instagram. No surprise that she’s written such an impactful little book.
It’s essentially a starter/introduction to intersectionality in environmentalism, covering common terms and a brief history of related movements (ecofeminism, environmental justice, etc) and then making the case for merging them. I work at/write for a company focused on gender equality, so there were sections that reiterated info I already knew, but it also taught me plenty new (especially as she shed an intersectional light on things like fast fashion, climate change, renewable energy, and food justice) and framed everything together in a really compelling, effective way. I found the first few and last few chapters especially engaging. I also loved that each chapter provides a slew of questions for reflection, which would be great to use as you do your own work, or even in a book club. There are also a ton of resources in the back of the book.
All in all, the info Thomas presents here is a good reminder and re-call to action for those who are involved in this work, and a great introduction for folks who are looking to enter it. Aka everyone should read it!