Brown Girl Green: Recent Episodes
Brown Girl Green
Brown Girl Green is a Filipina American climate activist who interviews diverse, boundary-pushing leaders and advocates redefining what it means to be an “environmentalist” in the 21st century. It's time to put Brown back in the Green Movement.
In this episode, we meet with Kiana Michaan. Kiana is a renewable energy professional, clean energy advocate, and climate justice organizer. Kiana previously worked at Sologistics where she provided permitting, utility interconnection, and project management for hundreds of solar projects across New York City. She worked with Black Girl Environmentalist on community building and with Our Climate Voices on climate justice storytelling. Kiana has worked with WE ACT for Environmental Justice on equitable solar development. She was a 2022 fellow with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute. Kiana served as a member of the advisory panel for the non-profit Diversity in Sustainability and currently serves as a board member at Eco.Logic, a non-profit dedicated to environmental education and community building. She is currently producing and hosting a climate & energy justice focused podcast, called Climate with Kiana.
-We learn about the historical inequities in energy access
-We explore the need for financing structures in clean energy
-We learn about ethical concerns of mining for minerals used for renewable energy
Follow and connect with Kiana:Instagram: @kikisgrooveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiana-michaan
Check out Kiana’s Podcast - Climate with Kiana - https://open.spotify.com/show/2q5A05T45dz4vctflPrR6X?si=lYDpnpoyTlWRYxc2x9y0xw
Check out YPE - Young Professionals in Energy and their mentorship program:https://ypenergy.org/new-york-city/
Check out CELI - Clean Energy Leadership Institute: https://www.cleanenergyleaders.org/
Kiana’s book recommendations:
The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future by Gretchen Bakke
Revolutionary Power: An Activist's Guide to the Energy Transition by Shalanda Baker
In this episode, we meet with Jeremy Raguain. Jeremy is a Seychellois conservationist who holds a Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations and Environmental Geographical Sciences and Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations (Honors) from the University of Cape Town, a Diploma in Environmental Management from the Technical University of Dresden. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy at Columbia University. Jeremy is also an alumnus of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Fellowship and simultaneously served as the Seychelles Permanent Mission to the United Nations Climate Change and Ocean Advisor throughout 2022 participating in climate change and high seas negotiations. Before negotiating international environmental law on behalf of Seychelles, small island developing and African states, Jeremy worked with the Seychelles Islands Foundation for over five years coordinating the foundation’s projects - such as the Aldabra Clean-Up Project - and communications while contributing to national policy focused on climate change, biodiversity and ocean conservation, as well as environmental impact assessment. Jeremy is also a youth activist volunteering his time to the representation of young people - especially those from islands, Africa and Global South - in environmental and sustainability issues.
-We learn about the unique identity and cultural heritage of SIDS
-We explore the vulnerabilities faced by SIDS
-We learn about SIDS treaties and initiatives
Follow and connect with Jeremy:Instagram: @turtlecommuter
Check out AOSIS and their opportunities:https://www.aosis.org/
An important UN article to check out about SIDS: https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/about-small-island-developing-states
Check out this document connecting climate change and SIDS: https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/publications/cc_sids.pdf
A podcast episode to check out:Small Islands, Big Picture: Why do small islands matter? https://open.spotify.com/episode/361tFdYc0qSQNYWeMNb1Rl?si=gASp_fguT4aexD6B0z_cqA
In this episode, we meet with Daphany Rose Sanchez. Daphany is an experienced community organizer and an expert in climate and housing. Born and raised in New York City public housing, Daphany witnessed and lived through the intersections of housing discrimination, climate divestment, and economic injustice. Her experience moved Daphany to fight for climate resiliency in the communities she grew up in, organizing neighborhoods across every borough in the city while working alongside renewable energy companies to provide people with the tools they need to reduce their energy bills and keep their homes protected from natural disasters. She graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from the New School.
-We learn about Daphany’s story in public housing
-We learn about addressing energy justice in energy insecure communities
-We learn about the policy and organizing to achieve energy justice
Follow and connect with Daphany on socials:Instagram: @daph_nyc_X: @Daph_NYC_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphanysanchez/
Check out KC3 and what they do:https://kc3.nyc/what-we-do
An important article to check out:https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/survey-reveals-extent-energy-insecurity-new-york-city#:~:text=More%20than%20one%20in%20four,in%20debt%20for%20energy%20costs.
Learn about how eligible households can receive energy services:https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance.page
A podcast episode to check out:Just Energy: Energy poverty and energy insecurity with Destenie Nock https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Jpo6qwYZwUtrHgYr6DGmZ?si=WooP0oYXRj-ZPDXscih2wg
In this episode, we meet Bodhi Patil. Bodhi Patil is a UN-recognized, award-winning GenZ ocean-climate “Solutionist” dedicated to improving the interconnectedness between ocean health and human health. He is the Founder & CEO of Inner Light, empowering a generation to build resilience from the inside out for people and planetary wellbeing. He is co-creator/cofounder of Ocean Uprise and SeaDragon Studios and advises several love-based climate organizations on a mission to protect our blue planet. He has been featured by the United Nations, Forbes, Economist Impact, Wildlife Conservation Society, Oceanic Global, and has presented to world leaders at over 10 global climate conferences. Connect with him and learn more about his mission here.
- We learn about the Tom’s of Maine Incubator Program and how to apply!
- We learn about Bodhi's love and passion for the ocean
- We learn about why the ocean is so important for life in all forms
Follow and connect with Bodhi on socials:Instagram: @bodhi_patilTwitter: @bodhi_patilLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bodhipatil/
Apply to the Tom's of Maine Incubator Program! https://www.tomsofmaine.com/incubator
Check out Bodhi's amazing website:https://www.innerlight.tv/
Organizations Bodhi mentioned to check out:
Ocean Uprise https://oceanuprise.com/Sustainable Ocean Alliance https://www.soalliance.org/Earth Echo https://www.earthecho.org/
Bodhi’s book recommendation:
Blue Mind - Dr. Wallace J. Nichols
In this episode we meet with Jaegi Lissade. Jaegi is the Partnership Coordinator of Reclypt. Jaegi is passionate about circular fashion and reducing fashion waste. She first began attending Recylpt events during Climate Week in 2022 and over the past year has evolved from participant to ambassador to now being a member of the Reclypt team! She is currently a student at Queens College studying Economics and Environmental Studies with plans to work in sustainable finance. Bearing this in mind she was wary of developing her sustainability experience in the financial sector and instead has entrenched herself in community based initiatives to develop a strong foundation of intersectional environmental justice.
We learn about circular fashion and why it’s so important We learn about the harm of microtrends and fast fashion We learn about the power of community learning and workshops
Follow and connect with Jaegi on socials:Instagram: @thisisjaegiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaegilissade/
Follow Reclypt on Instagram and check out their website:@reclypthttps://www.reclypt.com
An informative article about the fashion industry to check out: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/new-york-exposing-fashion-industry-what-it-climate-nightmare
Remake is a global advocacy organization fighting for fair pay and climate justice in the clothing industry. Check them out:https://remake.world/
Check out the Fashion Act and their fight against the harmful sides of the fashion industry:https://www.thefashionact.org/
In this episode, we meet with Angely - a climate and environmental journalist from NYC. Her work is featured in national and city publications including The New York Times, The Nation, Rolling Stone, Vogue, The Guardian, and more. She focuses on primarily environmental science, environmental justice, social media, and culture. Her fact-checking work is featured in various publications like The Nation, Rest of World, Mother Jones, and Gimlet among others.
- We learn about the power of social media and fact checking
- We learn about the challenges of the journalism industry
- We learn about how you shouldn’t let your job define you
Follow and connect with Angely on socials:Instagram: @angely_mercadoTwitter: @angelymercadoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelymercado/
Check out Angely’s posts on Gizmodo: https://gizmodo.com/author/angelymercado
Check out Angely’s profile on Muck Rack:https://muckrack.com/angely-mercado
Check out a very important recent article written by Angely: https://gizmodo.com/hurricane-idalia-makes-landfall-in-florida-lost-power-1850786952
Check out some of the best environmental journalism stories of 2022:https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2022/12/23/best-environmental-journalism-2022/
In this episode, we meet with Chris Desai - a world renown entrepreneur and philanthropist from humble beginnings who has made considerable contributions to the benefit and protection of this planet with the organic luxury fashion brand Vayyu, the registered charity The Vayyu Foundation and its two global projects. In this podcast episode we are focusing on UOCEAN 2050, which is a pioneering, practical, and non-profit charitable initiative of The Vayyu Foundation based in the United Kingdom with a global reach. Their primary mission is to combat river and ocean plastics and restore marine ecosystems working with minority and stigmatized communities.
- We learn about Chris’s love and passion for the ocean
- We learn about realizing the effects of fast fashion on the planet
- We learn about entrepreneurship to change the fashion industry and the birth of successful companies
Follow and connect with Chris and his companies on socials:Instagram: @uoceanproject @vayyuTwitter: @uoceanproject LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdesai/?originalSubdomain=uk
Check out the UOcean page, and see if there are places near you where you can volunteer! https://uocean.org/volunteer
Here is a great article to check out with small ways to help our oceans:https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html
Another great resource to work on cutting back on the plastics you use: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/act-for-the-ocean/plastic-pollution/what-you-can-do#:~:text=Cut%20back%20on%20single%2Duse%20plastic&text=Over%20time%2C%20these%20simple%20swaps,single%2Duse%20plastic%20sandwich%20bags.Here are additional organizations and charities to check out! https://www.americanoceans.org/blog/best-ocean-clean-up-charities/
Here’s another podcast episode to check out:
How To Protect The Ocean: Speak Up For Blue: https://open.spotify.com/show/3mE8fDuPv6OiTZ64EfIob9
In this episode, we meet with Aiyana Bodi - a senior associate at Project Drawdown. Aiyana works with corporate partners and their employees to scale climate solutions in more meaningful and impactful ways in the workplace.
- We learn about influencing companies towards a sustainable shift
- We learn about how companies actually take action to make change
- We learn about employee activation for equitable solutions in the workplace
Follow and connect with Aiyana on socials:Instagram: @aiyanabTwitter: @aiyanabodiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiyana-bodi-96871383
Check out and support Project Drawdown:https://drawdown.org/
Check out Aiyanas page on the Project Drawdown site:https://drawdown.org/staff/aiyana-bodi
Learn more about the work Project Drawdown is doing by Earth.org:https://earth.org/project-drawdown/
A helpful article to check out: https://business.nextdoor.com/en-us/small-business/resources/blog/9-ways-to-make-your-business-more-eco-friendly
In this episode, we meet with Kayalin Akens-Irby - the head of growth at Planet FWD, the leading carbon management platform for consumer brands to tackle climate change. Kayalin is an impact-oriented woman who cares about trying to build a better future for everyone.
- We learn about using climate tech to fight the climate crisis
- We learn about the lack of diversity in the climate tech space
- We learn about discovering your worth in tough professional spaces
Follow and connect with Kayalin on socials:Instagram: @kayasoleiaTwitter: @kayalinsoleiaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayalinakensirby?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
Check out and support Planet FWD:https://www.planetfwd.com/about
Some awesome resources to check out for folks in the climate space:
Elemental: https://elementalexcelerator.com/
Emerson Collective: https://www.emersoncollective.com/
Earthshot: https://earthshotprize.org/how-the-earthshot-prize-works/
Google for startups: https://startup.google.com/programs/black-founders-fund/united-states/
Another podcast episode to check out:
Climate Tech Circle: Matt Myershttps://open.spotify.com/episode/1vIbEuujCS4D8HYxkSWIMO?si=6f2ec702845442bb
In this episode, we meet with Xavier Cortada - one of Miami’s pioneer eco-artists. He works across various mediums of art to generate awareness and action around climate change, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss. Xavier is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Miami Department of Art and Art History, and Artist-in-Residence at Pinecrest Gardens, where his studio, gallery, and socially engaged art practice are based.
- We learn about how Xaviers background and upbringing influenced his art
- We learn about art as a medium for connecting one another
- We learn about the power of art, mentorship, and community
Follow and connect with Xavier on socials: Instagram: @xcortada Twitter: @xcortadaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortadaCheck out the Xavier Cortada Foundation https://cortada.com/foundation/Check out Xavier’s page on the University of Miami site:https://people.miami.edu/profile/e5e2e098bf7b41edc54940fb92d9d3c6Watch Xavier’s powerful TED talk:A creative approach to community climate action:https://www.ted.com/talks/xavier_cortada_a_creative_approach_to_community_climate_action?language=enRead this helpful article on how to be a more eco-conscious artist:Going Green: Environmentally Friendly Practices for Artists:https://agifineart.com/advice/going-green-environmentally-friendly-practices-for-artists/
In this episode, we meet with Alexia Leclercq - a grassroots organizer, scholar, and artist. Alexia is the co-founder of the Colorado River Conservancy under PODER and a political education non-profit named Start: Empowerment. They have led various environmental justice campaigns from passing national climate and chemical reform legislation and fighting for clean water, to addressing aggregate mining pollution, relocating toxic tank farms, and organizing mutual aid.
- We learn about how to mobilize in your community
- We learn about the water injustices happening in Texas
- We learn about the history of community organizing
Follow and connect with Alexia on socials:Instagram: @alexia.leclercqTwitter: @eeealexiaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-leclercq
Check out and support the organizations Alexia is a part of:
PODER: https://www.poderaustin.org/
Start: Empowerment: https://www.start-empowerment.org/
Colorado River Conservancy: https://www.austincoloradoriver.org/
Read an article written by Alexia in Dec. 2022:“How Asian-Pacific Islanders Shaped Environmental Activism”:
https://atmos.earth/asian-pacific-islanders-climate-activism/
Check out the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform:https://www.yecap-ap.org/about
In this episode, we meet with McKenna Dunbar - who is currently a Building Electrification Lead at Sierra Club. McKenna is renowned for their unwavering commitment to environmental justice and equitable clean energy transitions.
- We learn about their research project turned into a passion
- We learn about navigating in a mainly white dominated space
- We learn about the power of environmental justice and community
Follow and connect with McKenna on socials:Instagram: @mckennadunbar Twitter: @mocokonoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/electrification/
Check out and donate to the Sierra Club:https://act.sierraclub.org/donate/rc_connect__campaign_designform?id=7010Z0000027LIjQAM&formcampaignid=70131000001LjZ2AAK&ddi=N18MOTF008&_gl=11crrv9f_gaMTcwMzIyMTAxOC4xNjg2NTg1MTIw_ga_41DQ5KQCWV*MTY4OTYwNDY0MS4yLjAuMTY4OTYwNDY0NC4wLjAuMA
Check out Seventh Generations Climate Justice & Equity page: https://www.seventhgeneration.com/climate-justice
Check out OhmConnect, a company that helps you save energy and save money! https://www.ohmconnect.com/
Read this article about the importance of clean electric energy: https://www.fortum.com/newsroom/cleaner-world/electrification-biggest-climate-action#:~:text=Fossil%20fuels%20must%20be%20phased,consumed%20in%20new%2C%20sustainable%20ways.
Another podcast episode to check out:
The Electrification of Everything Sky to Sea by a16z Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KGzbcqxiiwLdxZbr7JX3i?si=92d14f17416d4875
In this episode, we meet with Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, the President and CEO of ECOS. ECOS produces plant-powered detergents and cleaners that are safer for the people, pets, and our planet!
- We learn about the history and creation of ECOS
- We learn about the toxins in our cleaning products and the negative affects it causes
- We learn how a company like ECOS was able to get to the trifecta of carbon neutrality, water neutrality, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification
Follow and connect with Kelly and ECOS on Instagram:@kellyfromecos @ecosclean
Check out the ECOS site to get their products and learn more:https://www.ecos.com/
Check out the Environmental Working Group with resources on how to make healthier choices: https://www.ewg.org/who-we-are
Article to check out about the switch to natural cleaning products:https://www.bondcleaninginadelaide.com.au/9-reasons-to-make-the-switch-to-natural-cleaning-products/
Another podcast episode to check out:
How to Start Switching to Clean Products:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bNIdOy6sV43YIfBN3j2bV?si=WvQUl-rjRH6h8bnkIyMAwA
In this episode, we meet with Johanna Schmidt - a sustainability researcher in the Impact & Economics department at Triodos, a mission-driven bank and impact investment manager in the Netherlands.
- We learn why banks don’t support Deep-Sea Mining
- We learn why Deep-Sea Mining is a business risk
- We learn Deep-Sea Mining and it’s environmental risks are minimally researched
Stay updated and involved with The International Union for Conservation of Nature:https://www.iucn.org/
Check out Triodos Bank:https://www.triodos.co.uk/
Article about Environmentalists warning Investors of Deep-Sea Mining Risk read:https://ejfoundation.org/news-media/environmentalists-warn-investors-of-deep-sea-mining-risk
Read A Manifesto For Our Ocean:https://ejfoundation.org/resources/downloads/EJF-Ocean-Manifesto-2023.pdf
Check out the UN High Seas Treaty:https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137857
Another podcast episode to check out:
Promise and Peril at the Bottom of the Sea:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WoAQfN1Q2AKLxrNyodFi5?si=8-mGxfj7Q4KUUoETguYpWA
In this episode, we meet with Pelenatita Kara who is the Program Manager of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga and has been working as an advocate against deep sea mining since 2012.
We learn about what deep sea mining really is and how it is performed.We learn that it can take decades for experts to understand the nature of deep sea marine life and the ramifications of mining it, since there is limited research. We learn about how deep seabed mining can start as soon as July 2023, once the legality of it is determined by the International Seabed Authority, the United Nations, and stakeholders.
Follow and connect with Tita:LinkedIn @ Pelenatita Petelo Kara
Check out and join the Civil Society of Tonga Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/CivilSocietyForumTonga?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Check out the website and sign the petition:https://csft.to/
Find out more about the calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining: https://www.seabedminingsciencestatement.org/
Another podcast episode to check out:
How to Save a Planet: Should We Mine the Deep-Sea? https://open.spotify.com/episode/50uusaWIsZZdO2LhjSUhON?si=O6oZHVoDQqSbdX-Gu0GHZg
Find out more at https://brown-girl-green.pinecast.co
In this episode, we meet with Jeremy Orr - a skilled senior-level attorney and manager with a demonstrated history in law, policy advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. He is highly experienced in the areas of social justice, civil rights, and environmental justice.
- We learn how Jeremy started his journey in the climate litigation space as a community organizer
- We learn about some environmental victories you might not have heard about
- We learn how to educate ourselves and get involved in our community to spark change
Follow and connect with Jeremy:Twitter @jeremyforr LinkedIn @Jeremyforr
Keep up to date with Earthjustice at @earthjustice on Instagram.https://earthjustice.org/
Stay informed and do your research, here's a great resource:https://www.clientearth.org/
Find and contact local elected officials:https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
A book to check out:Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility by Dorceta Taylor
Find out more at https://brown-girl-green.pinecast.co
In this episode, we meet with Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel. They are a passionate advocate for their indigenous relatives and communities, fighting for justice and visibility. In this podcast we learn about the birth of Rising Hearts and how Jordan began mobilizing in their community. We learn about the reality of Indigenous representation and stereotypes people still believe in. We learn and talk about the murdered and missing Indigenous women and how the system is largely failing them.
Donate to https://mmiwusa.org/Follow @nativein_la on InstagramFollow @rising_hearts on Instagram
Article to read: https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/then-and-now-7-amazing-two-spirit-lgbtq-natives-you-should-know-H_k1WKlGp0eXTziaGvprRA
Book to read: From a Native Daughter (Colonialism & Sovereignty in Hawai’i) by Haunani-Kay Trask
Podcast to listen to:https://www.redjusticepodcast.com/
Find out more at https://brown-girl-green.pinecast.co
Episode NotesIn this episode, we meet with Selassie Atadika - a Ghanaian chef, educator and food systems advocate. After over a decade working at the United Nations working in the humanitarian sector, Selassie completed a crash course at the Culinary Institute of America. It was then when her company, Midunu, a nomadic and private dining experience highlighting ‘New African Cuisine’ was born. This episode dives into food as a medium for storytelling, and the beauty of community surrounding food. We learn how we can focus on developing flavor in plant-forward dishes and learning about how in traditional dishes, animal protein was not necessary and limited. A lot of communities of color have been eating plant-forward for time immemorial. We can learn to focus on what to avoid instead of what to take out of our diets, to live and cook in abundance, and be open to trying new ingredients and foods.
You can follow Selassie on Instagram at @satadikaBe sure to also check out @midunuchocolates -
use the promo code browngirlgreen10 for 10% off your order on the website: us.midunuchocolates.com
Learn more about the benefits of a Plant-Based Diet here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9024616/
Find out more at https://brown-girl-green.pinecast.co
Episode Notes In this episode, we meet with Emira Woods - the newest head of Green Leadership Trust - an organization working to tackle the lack of inclusion of BIPOC on climate/ environmental organizational boards. They are the first cross-organizational effort focused on building power and diversity in any advocacy sector. They are guided first and foremost by their responsibility as fiduciaries of the organizations we represent.
Learn more and support the GLT here: https://www.greenleadershiptrust.org/
Follow Green Leadership Trust on Twitter!
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Episode Notes Deep Sea Bed Mining Interview with the folks at Sustainable Ocean Alliance and featuring Marine Expert, Diva Amon. This episode dives into the political, social, and moral implications behind "deep sea bed mining," an emerging industrial field that involves extracting submerged minerals and deposits from the sea floor. To date, mining for sand, tin, and diamonds has been generally limited to shallow coastal waters - but now industries are starting to explore what could lie in the deep sea. Scientists are very concerned, however, about the implications of mining a part of the planet that hasn't been meaningfully explored in depth, and what this could mean for the future of the planet.
To learn more about what deep sea bed mining is and how to take action, learn more from the Sustainable Ocean Alliance
https://www.soalliance.org/campaign-against-deep-seabed-mining
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Episode Notes More info on fight toxic prisons here
www.instagram.com/fighttoxicprisons www.instagram.com/villainus_music https://abolitionistlawcenter.org/Our-Work/Projects/Campaign-To-Fight-Toxic-Prisons/ https://nationinside.org/campaign/prison-ecology-project/
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Episode Notes This episode draws connections between the prison industrial complex and environmental justice- Brown Girl Green sits down with Amanda Diaz from Freedom for Immigrants @migrantfreedom on instagram.
Here’s a petition from the Shut Down Glades Coalition to take action today:https://action.aclu.org/send-message/fl-tell-dhs-shut-down-glades-now
The list of books Amanda mentioned plus more if folks are interested:
- “Are Prisons Obsolete?” by Angela Davis (PDFs can be found here on "The Anarchist Library" and here for a more book like version.)
- We Do This Till We Free Us by Mariame Kaba
- Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown
- "Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement” Edited by Ejeris Dixon and LEah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
- “Color of Violence” The INCITE! Anthology edited by INCITE! WOmen of Color Against Violence
- “Prison By Any Other Name” by Maya Schenwar and Victoria Law
- "Who Do You Serve, Who Do You Protect” A Truthout Collection (PDF can be found here on "The Anarchist Library.")
- Abolition Feminism Now by Angela Davis
Other Resources:
- Let’s Talk About Abolition 15 week self-guided community course by Nikita Oliver
- Short history of immigration detention" infographic (Freedom for Immigrants)
- Interactive Immigration Detention Timeline (Freedom for Immigrants)
- Detention 101 (Detention Watch Network
- Why Abolition? (Freedom for Immigrants)
- The State of Black Immigrants (Black Alliance for Just Immigration)
- Detained: How the U.S. Built the World’s Largest Immigrant Detention System (The Marshall Project)
- Immigration Detention Syllabus (Freedom for Immigrants)
- History of Criminalization Webinars (ICE out of CA)
- Immigrant Justice Now! Curriculum (Catalyst Project)
- Dismantling Detention webinar (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)
- Immigration Detention in the United States by agency (American Immigration Council)
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Episode Notes Learn more at greenjobsboard on instagram and the website browngirlgreen.com/greenjobs!
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Episode Notes In this episode you will learn about:
-The connections between colonization and conservation -How conservation movements can displace Indigneous communities -How Indigenous people in Tanzania are resisting and reclaiming the narrative of conservation over their lands
Learn more and support the Maasai here:
bit.ly/maasaihelp bit.ly/maasaihelp2
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Episode Notes This episode of Brown Girl Green covers the issue of food waste - which currently contributes to 6% of global green house gas emissions (our world in data). Learn from Maen Mahfoud, an expert who is taking food surplus and using it to redistribute out to the communities who need it the most. Check out this live episode and learn more about his company, Replate - a non-profit tech organization working to address the food surplus crisis.
www.replate.org
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Episode Notes This episode of Brown Girl Green is focused on sustainable fashion. We discuss if/ why sustainable fashion is the path forward away from throw-away culture and mass over-consumption of clothing in modern society. Despite the benefits of more "sustainable" or environmentally friendly fashion, there are still a lot of gaps around diversity, equity, and inclusion within the movement. A majority of sustainable fashion only caters to a small demographic that excludes many different ethnic groups and body types from partaking in its ethical benefits. Further, some sustainable fashion brands don't necessarily prioritize racial justice or labor rights even if they are all "green" or "zero waste." So in this episode, I examine what some of the gaps exist around sustainable fashion, but also the benefits this framework of going more "green" with your clothing habits can have on society.
The interview features Samata, a British-born Ghanaian fashion designer, author, and journalist who is best known for her role as Global Campaign Director for Red Carpet Green Dress, a campaign that is pushing to showcase ethical fashion on the Oscars red carpet. She is also an award-winning womenswear designer whose work in the fields of fashion and sustainability has received coverage from BBC Radio 1Xtra, Essence, ITV's This Morning, E! Entertainment, Women's Wear Daily, ELLE, InStyle, Essence, Refinery 29, and Red Magazine.
The biggest topics covered in this episode are: -Discussing why sustainable fashion is useful and necessary -Redefining what sustainable fashion can be- beyond just luxury goods for the privileged, how can we own actions like wearing second-hand, clothing swaps, and DIY's to minimize our consumption? -What a more diverse sustainable fashion world would look like and why that's important
Sustainable Fashion brands/ initiatives mentioned in today's episode: Sustainable Brooklyn Project One Eighty Nine Sustainable Fashion Forum Soko Kenya Fashion Revolution Anthill Fabrics Pildora NYC Mate the Label The Front Lash
Some resources for further reading: Fashion Takes Action- Fashion's role in the Sustainable Development Goals
What COVID-19 means for sustainable fashion
Ethical Fashion on a budget
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On Earth Day, I had the pleasure to interview Black Millennials 4 Flint's Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President LaTricea D. Adams and Sierra Club's community organizer Justin Onwenu. Together, we defined environmental racism and sacrifice zones; discussed their successful coalition practices and how to they take action for their communities; the realities of receiving funding and amplifying their narratives; and how to cultivate joy in a continuously daunting world. This has been one of the most special, important conversations I've had and I am elated to share it with you.
Key takeaways/ moments:
- The environmental justice movement, in my mind, comes out of the Civil Rights Movement… the Sanitation Workers’ Strike, Dr. King… because of the history of industrialization, communities are faced with the false choice of “jobs” or “healthy environment.” - Justin Onwenu
Justin opens the episode discussing the significance of the environmental justice movement and stresses that its recognition means we can’t ignore systemic racism and the forks-in-the-road placed for BIPOC.
- Democracy was robbed from the people of Flint -LaTricea D. Adams
The chronic lack of clean water in Flint, Michigan demonstrates how democracy has not served this community. LaTricea names the justice that’s owed to the people of Flint, along with steps to prevent this from happening again.
- Flint, rocked the nation. This small city made places across the country look at their infrastructure, look at how our children are exposed to lead in schools. It is literally a movement that has rocked the nation and I think there’s too many people on the outside that’s kinda stealing their thunder. -LaTricea D. Adams.
This goes back to the episode’s theme of choices and creating autonomy without much wiggle room. LaTricea discusses the significance of activists, from Flint who work on the ground there, have control over their narratives and credit for their labor. Their demand and awareness for clean water serves as a model for cities around the nation to shift their infrastructure and meet their community’s needs.
Resources to continue the conversation: www.blackmillennials4flint.org https://browngirlgreen.org/blog/black-faces-green-spaces/ https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/502813-group-targeting-environmental-racism-relaunches-amid-coronavirus https://www.naacp.org/climate-justice-resources/resource-organizations/
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Episode Notes In this week's episode of Brown Girl Green, we are talking about racial equity within the outdoors given the current state of the world. A few weeks ago, Christian Cooper, a black birder encountered a white woman, Amy Cooper who felt threatened & called 911 after Christian Cooper asked her to put her dog on a leash. This racist action on a microscale brings us to a point where we must critically analyze systemic racism at a macroscale in our country today. Access to a clean, healthy, and safe environment can be achieved through institutional and cultural change that prioritizes the needs of black lives.
Kristy interviews Deeohn Ferris, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the National Audubon Society.
Key Takeaways
- People of color do not have proper access to the outdoors and we need to actively create the institutional and cultural change necessary to address that
- Environmental justice and police brutality are both symptoms of a broken system that does not prioritize black lives. We must not rely on institutions alone to address this, we also need to demand cultural change within our interpersonal relationships/ culture to fight white supremacy and internalized racism.
- Nearby nature and backyard birding are key steps to actually providing options for people of color to have greater access to the outdoors. People of color deserve access to green spaces, and should be allowed to reclaim public space as much as necessary.
For organizations to donate to at this time, I am shouting out: -The Groundswell Fund -LGBT Racial Justice Fund -PGMONE -Brown Girls Climbing -New York Audubon Society -Black AF In Stem
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Episode Notes Join Kristy and Ciara Imani May, founder of Rebundle, a company closing the loop on synthetic hair waste one bundle at a time. We will be talking about what it means to generate a circular economy, how to make an environmentally friendly and culturally conscious product, and how to support young entrepreneurs of color working to save the world.
What we cover: -The benefits of the circular economy in dealing with the climate crisis -How the circular economy can provide a space for budding entrepreneurs to create innovative solutions -How a woman of color designed her own business/ space within the circular economy & her tips for others pursuing this space
For more information on rebundle. Follow them on Instagram @rebundle.co.
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Given this fiscally-uncertain world for the 99%, how can we put our money where our values are? For the best answers, I made a 2 part episode on the topic. I teamed up with Joelle Sostheim of the Joelle Show. She gives us a step-by-step lesson on personal finance and shows us how we can use this important practice as a tool to make alternative spending and investments through a climate change- and global pandemic-conscious lens. For those able to invest, we’ll have our conversation follow with As You Sow’s Energy Program Manager, Lila Holzman (Part 2 begins at 55:00). Lila tells us how we can place our accrued wealth into environmentally-friendly funding sources in order to stray away from the investor’s status quo, which typically takes company means to contribute towards fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions and practices.
In this podcast episode, you’ll learn:
- What personal finance looks like in an ideal world and practical steps to get there. We’ll discuss ways to bravely confront the oftentimes-uncomfortable dichotomy of variable spending and challenging our behaviors.
- How we can navigate a crisis -- today’s current Recession and global COVID-19 pandemic -- when we’re already in the middle of it. We’ll learn more about emergency funds and sustainable, environmentally-conscious budgeting practices.
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The reality of big financial institutions investing in fossil fuel emissions and the solutions that can work as alternatives to policy change, which can oftentimes take too long before it’s much too late.
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“It won’t get better unless you confront it.” Joelle Sostheim We begin this episode asking Joelle, “In a perfect world, how does someone’s personal finance change from start to finish?” Joelle gives us her answer in two parts: i) your current self and ii) your future self. Asking ourselves what we want in the future works as a motivator to challenge our current behaviors and modify accordingly in order to push our goals forward.
- “Given the circumstances of Coronavirus, I would highly recommend putting down your expenses so you can save an emergency fund… made up of 3 months, up to 6 months, of monthly expenses -- what you spend every month. A good place to start is next month’s rent.” Joelle Sostheim
We haven’t been in a Recession + global pandemic in modern history… how many of us had the means to prepare? The answer -- hardly any -- brings us to problem-solving. Joelle talks us through how to mitigate today’s crisis for the common person and average listener in order to come out of this pandemic with the tools to save and, eventually-speaking, grow wealth in the future.
3.“If you cut out the labor it took to make that… small unit item and you, instead, budgeted out your time… time is just as important as budgeting your money.” Kristy Drutman
We begin thinking about everyday ways to save and follow our budget, the tactic mentioned being one of my favorites-- investing in reusable materials, as opposed to disposable ones. Using the framework, “How can I squeeze the most juice out of an item before I dispose of it?” works as just a starting point for this part of our conversation. We go back-and-forth on how wallet-saving practices ultimately reduces unnecessary labor and the annual amount we waste.
4.“What we’re starting to see too is that this is not just about doing the right because it’s good for people. It’s good for profit as well. We’re starting to get the data, especially now, that the space is getting a little more mature and that companies and investments that prioritize ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors over the long-term end up performing better.” Lila Holzman
Moving forward from Joelle’s personal finance expertise, we meet Lila’s knack for advising large financial institutions to allocate their funds towards sustainable investments that value ESG factors. As mentioned above, the quid pro quo demonstrates that shareholders who follow through with ESG practices will have their companies succeed further than they would have by pushing their money into fossil fuel emissions and infrastructures. Given the data, Lila emphasizes the importance of asking and pushing for sustainable investments.
Places you can consider donating your stimulus check to: 805 Undocufund https://www.805undocufund.org
CCAEJ (EJ group in southern CA) https://www.ccaej.org/covid19-fund
CDC Foundation
Feeding America
Asian Pacific Environmental Network Emergency Stablization Fund https://donate.apen4ej.org/covid
Learn more about personal finance and sustainable investing
As You Sow works to empower shareholders to turn their corporations towards sustainable investing. If you want to learn more about this company, where Lila Holzman works, then check out their website. https://www.asyousow.org/
Fossil Banks No Thanks shows what happens when shareholders invest in fossil fuel infrastructures and emissions. On their website, you can find a link to join their campaign and take action. https://www.fossilbanks.org/
If you’re looking to invest, then Fossil Free Funds serves as the space for you. This non-profit, created by As You Sow, can give you the resources for mutual funds and ETFs that avoid fossil fuel investments, in addition to looking at funds from your 401K or retirement plan more closely. https://fossilfreefunds.org/
Continue to learn from Joelle’s financial expertise through “The Joelle Show.” Her most recent content includes more details on how to keep your wallet healthy during COVID-19. https://linktr.ee/the.joelle.show
CC:August Jay, Content Operator of Brown Girl Green
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We’re not in shape to leap in a boat if there’s a flood, or run from a fire… there’s an attitude I think that’s completely unconscious that we have to be ready to do these kind of things. Marsha Saxton (21:48)
Kristy Drutman interviews Marsha Saxton and Alex Ghenis from the World Institute on Disabilities (WID) -- one of the first disability rights organizations working towards creating research and policy that’s equitable and inclusive. Given the global pandemic, Kristy takes the intersection of disability justice and climate change to find its connection to coronavirus. While living in a country low on toilet paper and ventilators, Kristy and guests point out who’s been put behind to receive support. Without the infrastructure necessary to support people with disabilities, communities remain without adaptive technology and disappointingly unfit to support for this group. Marsha and Alex, nonetheless, share their optimism and practical solutions in hopes to build a more inclusive, adaptable climate-changing-world.
In this podcast episode, you’ll learn:
- The unjust reality of where people with disabilities stand in line to receive support and rights
- Being ready for climate change means adapting to it (v. excluding what may not fit)
- Moving on from a utilitarian, triage mode of healthcare looks like letting people with disabilities teach us their needs while prioritizing their independence and quality of life
- “It only takes one sentence to explain that in any environmentally compromised situation… people with disabilities will die first and sometimes fast.” Marsha Saxton (12:40)
We begin this episode connecting the reality between climate change and people with disabilities. Marsha and Alex say the truth point blank: people with disabilities will die and sometimes first. Much of their work at WID focuses on alerting the climate change impact to the disability community and give them the tools to protect and advocate for themselves. The lessons parallel with finding independence and a living quality of living amidst social distancing, businesses with closed doors, and a new normal.
- “The majority of spinal cord injury research is stem cells and curing spinal cord injury as opposed to creating adaptive technology.” Alex Ghenis (25:41)
The modern healthcare system looks to find a cure for whatever doesn’t fit in; Alex Ghenis believes it’d be more helpful to spend that time developing adaptive technology, making the world more accomodating, and therefore reducing the impact of disability on the individual. The adaptation model applies to climate change and today’s global pandemic as well -- let’s adapt to the reality because it’s neither accessible nor available for everyone to put a band-aid on it.
- “Know your neighbors.” Marsha Saxton (36:28)
If we need to adapt, then our solutions start with the basics: know your neighbors. Marsha and Alex dive into the importance of building community and creating disaster recovery policy that includes people with disabilities’ knowledge of their needs and fruition of action plans. Given that we are currently in a worldwide disaster, our guests take us through the lessons in everyone needs to hear and hear again and again in order to adapt, recover, and put the independence and life outcomes of people with disabilities first.
Marsha Saxton continues to work at WID’s New Earth Disability (NED) Initiative. NED addresses how people with disabilities fall extremely vulnerable to climate change. NED seeks to build climate resilience by using research to identify concerns and the best responses, educate the public, ensure that other stakeholders’ climate adaption plans recognize the disability community. Follow Alex Ghenis’ disability and climate change activism on Twitter (@aghenis). https://wid.org/2018/09/25/ned/
Here’s a list of organizations and brands supporting the disability community during this global pandemic:
Look out for
The Communicator™ is a clear window medical mask brand made to support lip-reading patients and healthcare providers. You can find these in-stock online at safenclear.com. Hint: buy to use or donate
Contribute today
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) is a disaster giving program, rated four stars by Charity Navigator. During the coronavirus pandemic, the CDP is working with NGOs to allocate funds towards supporting healthcare workers, quarantined and other vulnerable individuals, in addition to hygiene promotion activities. You can donate to their responses fund on https://disasterphilanthropy.org/donate-to-the-cdp-covid-19-response-fund/; follow them on Twitter
Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to seniors who live in your community. Reach out to your local provider to get started and give more than just a meal. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals; follow them on Twitter (@_MealsOnWheels).
Use these resources
The Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) provides a COVID-19 Hotline for the deaf community. Use ASL Now or VP 833-683-7630. Subscribe to the CSD newsletter at https://www.csd.org/subscribe/; follow them on Twitter (@ThisISCSD).
Disability Rights California (DRC) shares COVID-19 information, response, and planning that can apply to those out-of-state as well. Understand your legal rights, household plan of action, and public health guidelines at https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/post/announcement-coronavirus-and-how-disability-rights-california-can-help-you. For further legal information, call 1-800-776-5746 M-F, 9 am-4 pm (PST).
SAGE provides services and advocacy for LGBT Elders. Given that LGBT older people are twice as likely to be single and live alone, plus four times less likely to have children, SAGE connects this group of people to friendly responders on their 24/7 hotline. Call 877-360-LGBT (5428) for community support resources, answers, and non-judgmental responses. Check out their website, sageusa.org.
August Jay, Content Operator of Brown Girl Green
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In this episode of Brown Girl Green, we are joined with Brittney Enin, Founder and Executive Self-Care Consultant & Radiator of Black Sunshine as we talk about the importance of “self-care.”
It is expected that the climate crisis has and will continue to have a detrimental impact on public health, particularly on society’s mental health. As the news likes to convince us that the world is falling apart (and in some ways it is), how are we going to take care of ourselves and each other? Self-care is a form of deep activism, as we are radically defining what it means to adapt and care for ourselves and others in challenging environmental conditions.
We cover:
- Why self-care is a necessity, not just a luxury (and it doesn’t have to be expensive, i.e. setting boundaries is FREE!)
- Methods to embracing a self-care journey and to unlearn that your self-care doesn’t matter
- How to practice reciprocity: learning how to give and take when you are naming your needs
- Why people of color, in particular, should not feel guilty for reclaiming self-care as an act of survival
Highlights: “You need to start naming and legitimizing the forces that make you feel so tired”
“The world needs to see women of color in their full range of emotions”
“Depending on your place on society you internalize certain things as normal../ things that I used to think were ways of communicating [about these things] were actually really oppressive”
“We can hold our oppression and our privilege at the same time, it’s when people don’t do that, that we are in trouble”
You can connect with Brittney at selfcareconsult.com, @slfcareconsult
Or follow her as @nerdqween on Instagram
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In our current climate crisis, how can we reach the masses through storytelling, connection, and education? In this episode of Brown Girl Green, I meet with Environmental “Eco-Influencer” Go Green Save Green, Ariel Maldonado. Ariel uses Instagram to engage her audience about how to live sustainably and to save money along the way.
Ariel’s content break down that allows her to engage her audience about climate change and sustainably:
Current events/ News that provides summaries around what is being discussed about a wide range of environmental topics Memes that are easy to capture people’s attention in a culturally relevant, poignant way Sustainability tips and infographics
She posts both in-depth content and quicky, witty posts that keep people’s attention. Experimenting/ balancing types of content and figuring out how to find content that is accessible and tangible to the audience is key.
“As i’m learning, i’m sharing.”
It’s very important to share content that allows people to feel like they can make an impact. A core part of this is thinking about companies we invest our money into, and how education is distributed to people to plug in and to feel like they are not alone.
“An Individual is a spark”
Next steps:
- Use your voice to push forward regarding the climate crisis and sustainable living in your community and abroad (both in person and on the internet)
- Think critically about the accessibility/ gaps around environmental information, and how you can start conversations with your friends and family to start caring more deeply about the planet!
- Create your own content or repost from pages you love! We need to circulate information asap to grow our audiences and networks mobilized for climate action
- Individual sustainable “swaps” are conversation starters to bring other people into the conversation for broader systemic change
In the pilot episode of Brown Girl Green, Kristy, a Filipina American environmental activist discusses the origins of Brown Girl Green. From activist burnout to trying to find diplomacy (or love?) on tinder, this episode lays the groundwork of what you can expect to watch in Season 1.