Kapor Capital’s Post

This clear example of environmental racism exposes blind spots within the modern environmental movement. Sustainability is not just about the environment- social and economic practices can also be unsustainable. Although historically (mostly during the 70’s- called the “green decade”) America made strides in reducing air and water pollution within MOST population areas, areas populated by mostly black and indigenous people bore the brunt of society’s industrial needs while white populations largely ignored the effects. Even in modern times, studies show that opposition to polluting industry decreases when the neighborhood to be affected is majority black. Any effort to alleviate harm to the environment must include similar efforts to promote racial justice within this space. Until we promote sustainability for all, we cannot expect all to promote sustainability.

You don’t want to miss this #BlackClimateWeek panel on Feb. 22! Because of their proximity to the problem Black communities are leading the formation of solutions on clean energy, safe water, healthy food, affordable housing, disaster resilience, and good jobs in a green economy. Join the conversation with Gloria Walton, President and CEO of The Solutions Project, Naomi Davis, CEO of Blacks in Green, Crystal Hayling, Executive Director of The Libra Foundation, and Vann R. Newkirk II, Senior Editor at The Atlantic, as they discuss how philanthropy, government, the media, and industry can be key partners in scaling up Black-led, frontline climate solutions. What are the collaborations, mechanisms, and strategies to grow intersectional climate solutions? Registration is required ➡ https://bit.ly/BCWPanel #ClimateSolutions #ClimateJustice

Join Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action (MiCCA) tonight at 6PM for a Black History Month panel with my favorite MD candidate, Taylor Barrow-Lima 😁 Taylor has powerful insights into the intersections of health and climate change, especially as it impacts traditionally marginalized communities in the City of Detroit. A roster of powerful black women will join her to discuss the nuances of health and equity. I can't wait! #DetroitSustainability #DetroitRenewables #DetroitNeverLeft #DetroitFutureCity #InnovateDetroit #SustainableDetroit #MotorCityTech #DetroitGreenInitiatives #DetroitCommunity #DetroitEconomicGrowth #EnergyDemocracy #EnergyEquity #RenewableJustice #SustainableEquity #CommunityPower #InclusiveEnergy #EquitableEnergy #JusticeInEnergy #AccessToEnergy #CleanEnergyForAll #EnergyInclusion #SocialJusticeInEnergy #DemocratizeEnergy #FairEnergyFutures #CommunitySolar #InclusiveRenewables #EquityInSustainability #GreenJobsForAll #PeoplePoweredEnergy #EmpowerThroughEnergy

The multibillion-dollar power companies use Black support to divert attention from the environmental harms that spew from their fossil fuel plants, the investigation found, harms which disproportionately fall on Black communities. One civil rights leader received power company cash as he built support for its attempted takeover of a smaller municipal utility in Florida. Another fought state oversight in Alabama that could have lowered electric bills and federal oversight that could have restricted emissions and pollution from coal burning power plants. Power company money and attention helps to fill the financial void many civil rights groups experience, and in turn, gives utilities a trusted community leader to advocate for them on lucrative policy positions, according to interviews with a dozen Black political operatives, community organizers and consultants. David Pellow, director of the Global Environmental Justice Project at the University of California at Santa Barbara, says the payments represent “the cold, hard, brutal” facts that power companies “need to maintain [public) support for what they’re doing”. #environmentaljustice #electricutilities #pollution #civilrights #renewableenergy #rooftopsolar #electricitybills #municipalutilities

Black carbon is a pressing issue world leaders can no longer afford to ignore. Check out this informative article from Project Drawdown's Yusuf Jameel to understand the urgency of reducing black carbon and its far-reaching impacts: https://lnkd.in/gkXSjZEV

Climate change, a formidable threat multiplier, compels us to recognize the transformative power of women and girls as solution multipliers. Historically, the connection between gender and climate change has been overlooked, but the data is now unequivocal—we need to elevate the conversation. On March 12, join our Executive Director, Lola A., in a pivotal discussion with Wawa Gatheru, Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, and Aria Mia Loberti, Actress, Writer, Human Rights Advocate, and Fulbright Scholar. Together, they will shed light on the disparate impacts of climate change on women and girls, from heightened hurdles in climate adaptation to significant economic repercussions, increased unpaid care and domestic work, and a higher risk of violence due to the crisis's compounding impacts. This conversation goes beyond acknowledging challenges—it's about recognizing women and girls’ pivotal roles as major contributors to climate solutions. From securing essential resources like food and water to leveraging their innovation and ingenuity, women are at the forefront of shaping a sustainable future. If you are at Aspen Ideas Climate, don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from these inspiring voices on March 12 at 3:15 pm. Aspen Ideas Climate #AspenIdeasClimate #MiamiBeach #WomenForClimateSolutions #herstory #womenhistorymonth2024

More than two dozen Black civil rights leaders in the Southeast have been high-value targets in power companies’ battle for market dominance, courted and at times even co-opted by the industry, according to an investigation by Floodlight and Capital B. The multibillion-dollar power companies use Black support to divert attention from the environmental harms that spew from their fossil fuel plants, the investigation found, harms which disproportionately fall on Black communities. One civil rights leader received power company cash as he built support for its attempted takeover of a smaller municipal utility in Florida. Another fought state oversight in Alabama that could have lowered electric bills and federal oversight that could have restricted emissions and pollution from coal burning power plants. https://buff.ly/47W3JV9

Many of the climate solutions that are currently being developed and financed come from a small and largely white part of the population and will remain inaccessible to most. These “solutions” fail to understand that climate and environmental justice intersect and underpin the movements for economic, gender, housing, and LGBTQIA+ justice as well as the many other struggles. Additionally, many of these solutions are created in isolation, without community input, and without the praxis necessary to address the core of the crisis. Why is it that those most privileged in society are being resourced to mitigate a crisis fueled by their own dismissal of Indigenous traditions, hoarding of resources, and extractive practices? The times are calling for us to access the edges of imagination and creativity and direct it toward building the world we know is possible. We must root ourselves in the reality and scale of the issues while boldly stretching and reaching toward a new world. For too long Black folks have been asked to attempt to live in a reality that has been imagined by a small group of white men. Tell me, what did they care about Black liberation, freedom, or dreams? 

The efforts to address climate change and find community-centric sustainability solutions did not start in centers of White power. It started with indigenous and Black women, specifically those in the US South (more specifically still those leading grassroots organizations and community efforts in western NC) and we should lean on their knowledge and wisdom in how we build better equitable communities and solutions. #climatejustice #climatechange #ruralcommunities #bipoc #indigenousknowledge

Project 2025, was written as a policy guide for the next Republican administration. We collected guides from The Grist, The 19th and The Grio and broke down the impacts of the proposed policies on Black Americans. Here are some takeaways: 1. Project 2025 would gut climate action and increase fossil fuel use. Due to environmental racism, Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by climate change and pollution. In Los Angeles, Black children are more likely to have and be hospitalized for asthma. 2. Project 2025 would remove rights for same-sex married couples and would disaffirm transgender people’s identities. This would occur as Black transgender women specifically are already disproportionately the victims of fatal crimes. 3. Project 2025 authors want to gut all DEI initiatives including sexual orientation and gender identity. 4. Project 2025 would limit reproductive healthcare access beyond abortion and affect states beyond where abortion is already restricted. Black women die in childbirth at three times the rate than their white counterparts. Access to maternal healthcare is also harder in communities of color with women having to drive farther on average to access care. Read more here: https://buff.ly/3TyWM8u and link in bio What else would you like to know about Project 2025? Slide in our DMs or contact us here https://buff.ly/3SS2W3P