The Power of Black and Indigenous Voices This Earth Day and Beyond

Climate change is a multi-faceted crisis. While it’s perpetuated by the burning of fossil fuels and other extractive human practices, it’s also continuing due to the impact of economic systems that support social and racial inequities. One of my biggest takeaways at COP28 last year was that too many corporations are hiding behind massive net zero PR campaigns, while not taking action on the ground.

According to the Indigenous-led Mayan Wisdom Project, the Maya people believe that climate change is the result of modern-day humanity separating itself from its roots—its connection with existence—and from groups of people and industry leaders believing they’re more important than others and the planet. The Maya also believe that until we live in harmony with ourselves mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, we’ll continue destroying Earth. 

With Earth Day just around the corner, and this year’s theme being Planet vs. Plastics, I’m dreaming of a time when there won’t be a need for a special month, week or day for prioritizing a collective call to action to live in harmony with our environment and communities.

Black and Indigenous Perspectives

To build a climate future based on deep insight, true grit and solutions that make sense, we need to learn from the past. This means learning from people who have endured the brunt of climate change.

Over generations, Indigenous peoples have accumulated vast knowledge about the Earth known as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and are responsible for 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity, according to the World Economic Forum.

Historically in the U.S., Black leaders were the first to bring attention to environmental hazards faced by marginalized groups, primarily communities of color. For decades, they’ve mobilized residents to form grassroots organizations, highlighting the disproportionate burden of pollution and toxic waste sites endured by low-income neighborhoods. 

Yet, a scant 1.3 percent of U.S.-based climate philanthropy has gone to BIPOC-led organizations, as Rhodes Scholar and founder of Black Girl Environmentalist Wawa Gatheru highlighted during Black Climate Week in February. This disparity isn’t only unfair and unjust; it lacks basic common sense.

Philanthropy and Culture 

Unless our institutions, media and philanthropic efforts begin pushing Black and Indigenous initiatives to the fore, Earth Month, Earth Day and the climate movement as a whole can only go so far. 

The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. Do I qualify?

While at COP28, I learned about the Indigenous Climate and Just Transition Fund, which ensures that Indigenous-led frontline organizations have access to federal investments, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. This initiative, launched by NDN Collective, a national Indigenous-led movement infrastructure organization dedicated to building Indigenous power, aims to address the climate crisis by making funding available for climate-smart programs.

The nonprofit, non-partisan organization, Hip Hop Caucus, another organization in attendance at COP28, has been pushing environmental cultural expression for two decades. This year, the group celebrates the 10th anniversary of their environmentally-themed album HOME (Heal Our Mother Earth), featuring Common, Raheem DeVaughn, and Ne-Yo, with the proceeds of the album going toward communities impacted by climate change. The organization is currently screening its documentary “Underwater Projects,” which unpacks the story of a public housing project threatened by climate change in Norfolk, Virginia.

Making Shifts 

We have historical context and we have data to show us where support for Black and Indigenous campaigns and solutions is lacking. But the needle isn’t moving fast enough. So where do we go from here? And what can brands and businesses do to position themselves on the right side of history? 

As much as I appreciate corporate climate pledges, addressing the climate investment gap and environmental injustice means doing more than making a promise to lower carbon emissions.

Real inclusivity involves fostering and supporting local action, and this means backing climate adaptation and resilience. This can manifest through providing funding and resources for Black communities that are vulnerable to extreme weather and sea-level rise. Adaptation and resilience programs can take shape in the form of flood protection measures, urban forestry programs and community-based disaster preparedness efforts.

Companies can align with Indigenous communities by engaging with them based on free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) partnerships. In other words, businesses can consult with Indigenous leaders to understand their needs and priorities. They can also integrate Indigenous rights into their supply chain management practices to ensure that their sourcing and procurement policies support Indigenous land rights and biodiversity. 

Whether Earth Month, Earth Day or the climate movement as a whole are significant to you as a business leader or activist, exploring how representation intersects with climate is a vital part of living in harmony with ourselves and our planet.