#TellAllTuesday: Invisible Threads

Welcome to this week's #TellAllTuesday. Since the election, we've seen many climate folks abandon their commitment to equity and focus on climate-only solutions. Kudos to isaac sevier , who elevate this is not the approach we should be taking, in every existing platform. The reality is that this is unacceptable. As women and bipoc small business owners, women and Bipoc folks who hold C-level positions, women and Bipoc managers, or other individuals with decision-making power, we must hold the line in the upcoming years.

Climate solutions must be interconnected to race, housing, civil rights, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, disability rights, and economic mobility. Understanding these connections is essential for creating comprehensive solutions that uplift all communities, especially those historically disinvested. Embracing an intersectional approach fosters equity and enhances societal resilience and innovation. Studies have shown that intersectional policies improve social cohesion and reduce inequalities, ultimately contributing to a more stable and prosperous society.

From an economic perspective, this repor t elevates the idea that companies with diverse and inclusive teams are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians.

We must recognize and address these intertwined challenges as advocates and business owners. Let's explore how these issues are interconnected with race and equip ourselves with practical steps to advocate effectively across multiple fronts.

The Interconnected Web of Climate, Race, and Social Issues

Climate change is not an isolated crisis; it's deeply entwined with various social justice issues, particularly those related to race:

• Housing: Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and increased energy costs disproportionately impact low-income and BIPOC communities, leading to housing instability and displacement. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (2023), over 50% of climate refugees in the U.S. are from marginalized communities, with Black and Latino families being the most affected.
• Civil Rights: Environmental racism, where BIPOC communities are more likely to live near pollution sources, exacerbates health disparities and infringes on civil rights. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that communities of color bear a disproportionate burden of environmental hazards, leading to higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other health issues.
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Rights: Climate disasters often disrupt safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, leading to increased vulnerability and loss of community support networks. A study by the Trevor Project (2023) found that 40% of LGBTQIA+ individuals have experienced heightened anxiety due to climate-related events, with BIPOC members facing compounded stressors.
• Economic Mobility: Climate initiatives can either create or eliminate job opportunities. Without inclusive policies, economic mobility for marginalized groups can stagnate or regress. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) highlights that while green jobs are growing, access remains uneven across different communities, with BIPOC individuals facing barriers to entry and advancement.
• Racial Equity: Systemic racism intersects with climate policies, often resulting in BIPOC communities receiving less support and fewer resources for climate adaptation and mitigation. This lack of equitable treatment hinders their ability to recover from climate-related disasters and invest in sustainable practices.

Singular Approaches Falls Short

Addressing climate change without considering these intersecting issues can lead to solutions that benefit some while leaving others behind. For instance, promoting renewable energy without ensuring affordable access can exacerbate energy insecurity for low-income and BIPOC households. Similarly, failing to protect housing can result in climate-induced displacement, further entrenching economic and social inequalities.

• Social Cohesion: Research from the Brookings Institution indicates that intersectional policies lead to greater social cohesion and reduced societal tensions as they comprehensively address the root causes of inequality.
• Health Outcomes: Studies published in the American Journal of Public Health show that intersectional approaches to policy-making result in better health outcomes for marginalized communities by simultaneously addressing multiple determinants of health.

Practical Steps to Advocate for an Interconnected and Racially Inclusive Future

Assess Interconnections in Your Efforts

When planning initiatives, consider how climate solutions impact other social issues, particularly those related to race:

• Housing Projects: Ensure climate-resilient housing is affordable and accessible to marginalized communities. Incorporate racial equity assessments to identify and mitigate potential displacement. A super important thing here is to ensure you are not exasperating harm. Many are currently experiencing a housing and financial crisis. As we solve for climate (decarbonize), we cannot pass on the cost to those with the highest need.
• Employment Programs: Advocate for green jobs that provide fair wages and opportunities for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Support training programs that equip these communities with the skills needed for sustainable industries.

Push Back Against Singular and Racist Approaches

Challenge policies and practices that treat climate as an isolated issue or perpetuate racial inequities:

• Policy Advocacy: Lobby for comprehensive climate policies that include provisions for housing, civil rights, and economic support tailored to BIPOC communities.
• Community Organizing: Form coalitions with groups focused on different social issues to create unified, intersectional advocacy efforts addressing climate and racial justice.

Empower Your Business to Advocate Across Issues

As business owners, managers, or key decision-makers, you have the platform and resources to drive change:

• Inclusive Practices: Implement hiring practices that prioritize diversity and create safe, inclusive workplaces for all employees, especially BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
• Sustainable Operations: Adopt eco-friendly practices while ensuring they do not disproportionately impact your workforce or local communities. For example, flexible work arrangements should be offered to employees dealing with climate-related displacement (At KC3, we enacted a climate emergency policy that provides the employees with emergency funding for immediate needs).
• Support Multifaceted Initiatives: Invest in or partner with organizations that address multiple social issues alongside climate change, such as affordable housing projects or civil rights advocacy groups.

Tools for Business Owners, Managers, and other Key Decision-Makers

Intersectional Impact Assessments

Conduct assessments to evaluate how your business decisions impact various social issues, especially those related to race:

• Assess Housing Impact: Ensure your business operations do not contribute to housing instability in your community. Support initiatives that provide affordable, climate-resilient housing for BIPOC families.
• Evaluate Civil Rights Implications: Review your supply chains and business practices for potential environmental racism. Ensure that your operations do not disproportionately affect BIPOC communities through pollution or resource allocation.
• Support 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusivity: Create policies that protect and support LGBTQIA+ employees and customers, ensuring their needs are met in your sustainability efforts.

Collaborative Partnerships

Build partnerships with organizations that address multiple social issues, particularly those focused on racial equity and climate justice:

• Joint Initiatives: Collaborate on projects tackling climate change, housing, and economic mobility—for example, partner with local nonprofits to develop green jobs programs for BIPOC communities.
• Resource Sharing: Share resources and knowledge with partners to create more robust and practical solutions addressing environmental and social justice.

Advocacy and Representation

Use your influence to advocate for inclusive policies and ensure diverse representation:

• Speak Out: Publicly support policies that address the interconnectedness of climate and social issues, particularly those that promote racial equity.
• Representation: Ensure diverse voices are included in your business's decision-making processes and broader advocacy efforts. This can involve hiring diverse leadership, consulting with BIPOC experts, and fostering an inclusive culture.

Climate change is a pivotal issue, but it's not the only one. We can create holistic solutions that uplift all communities by recognizing and addressing the interconnectedness of housing, civil rights, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, economic mobility, and race. Embracing intersectionality fosters equity and enhances societal resilience and innovation, driving better outcomes for everyone. As advocates and business owners, we must push for inclusive policies and practices that ensure no one is left behind in pursuing a sustainable future.

How do you see the connections between climate and other social issues, especially race-related ones, in your community or business? What steps are you taking to advocate for an interconnected and racially inclusive approach? Please share your thoughts and experiences below, and let's work together to drive comprehensive change.

If you'd like to join our quarterly lunch session to discuss these topics further, fill out this form, and we'll send you an invite: https://pb39uv34732.typeform.com/to/O27bo1rM