John,
Here's a fun fact: It's World Environment Day!
Here's a not-so-fun fact: Africa is home to 15% of the world's population, and yet, of the top 8 countries most affected by climate change, 6 of them are in Africa – with deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and droughts running rampant.
Climate change has been impacting Black people in the diaspora in many ways – from loss of homes and livelihoods due to natural disasters to the impacts of pollution on our physical health.
Black people are 61% more likely than white people to live in an area with a FAILING grade for at least one pollutant. And honestly, it's no surprise that the government has neglected Black communities and their needs.
As climate change continues to push us towards a point of no return, our collective sense of urgency seems to be decreasing. Today, we are finding more and more cities that are struggling to provide basic necessities like water to their families.
One thing about climate change – it impacts everybody. But climate change has a disproportionate impact on Black and African communities on a global scale compared to other demographics.
And there's no coincidence there.
Our communities are being hit and the government doesn't seem to care. So as always – we keep us safe. The time is now to step into helping replenish our communities and the earth – before we permanently have to deal with a new norm. We do so by educating ourselves and each other, taking individual responsibility towards helping to protect our planet, and bringing protest to policy by demanding our legislators address the climate crisis immediately.
This is a part of the long-term fight for ensuring Black communities no longer remain the hardest hit by climate-related disasters and have the means to be free, safe, cared for, and well. Our people deserve it –
so please, chip in $5 or whatever you can spare to help us gather resources to help fuel our climate-related efforts.
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
