Page 59 - Tracy Anderson Magazine - Fall 2021

ENVIR ONMENT AL

CR OS SR OADS

Leah Thomas explains why the intersection of social justice and climate change matters.

We know that everything is connected, and because of that, media who could use more amplification—we try to share
every action has a reaction. We asked Leah Thomas, a cele- their work so a larger audience will see it. We also compile
brated environmentalist, to share how her passion for writ- our own research into digestible posts. I do realize there are
ing and creativity transformed into founding and launch- limitations to social media, but it can be a great entry point.
ing Intersectional Environmentalist, a resource hub and
platform that advocates for environmental justice, provides Tell us about something that happened due to your advo-
resources, and promotes inclusivity and accessibility within cacy and has impacted environment preservation within
environmental education and movements. The organiza- the states.
tion started only last year but already has more than 380,000 It’s great to hear more environmental agencies prioritize ra-
Instagram followers. It coined the term “eco-communica- cial justice now! This is due to years of work from so many
tor,” and its ever-growing team continues to expand on the environmental justice advocates, and I’m happy to have
importance and power of multifaceted efforts for advocacy played a very small role.
to create lasting impact.
Why a book and why now? And
Leah, share with our readers what are you most eager to
the story of the birth of Inter- share with readers of The Inter-
sectional Environmentalist and sectional Environmentalist when
how you brought it to life on so- it’s published next March?
cial media. I’ve been writing since 2014. It’s
During the summer of 2020, been a great outlet for me and a
there was a lot of awareness way for me to find my voice. I’ve
about racial justice during the always been interested in writing
BLM movement, and I noticed a a book, and for my first, I want-
lack of conversation in environ- ed to start with a resource that
mental spaces. I wanted to help I wanted when I was studying
make the connection between environmental science. It’s a sup-
race and the environment clear- plementary guide that makes the
er for environmentalists who case for the urgency of climate
were not as familiar with racial justice and also helps open peo-
justice, and I began posting on ple’s eyes to the environmental
social media about intersection- justice movement. I hope other
al theory, climate justice, and in- students of color in the environ-
tersectional environmentalism. mental space feel seen with this
A lot of people started to reach book and that it encourages al-
out for even more resources, so lies to become more inclusive en-
I started Intersectional Environ- Leah Thomas vironmentalists in the future. ■
mentalist (IE) with a few friends
virtually, and we started to grow really quickly! Leah Thomas is a celebrated environmentalist based in Santa Bar-
bara. Coining the term “eco-communicator” to describe her style of
How does Instagram work as a main platform, supporting environmental activism, Leah uses her passion for writing and cre-
Landon Parenteau why its work is important? relationship between social justice and environmentalism. Leah
ativity to explore and advocate for the critical yet often overlooked
and connecting IE’s followers as well as teaching others
founded and launched Intersectional Environmentalist in 2020.
We want this information to be as accessible as possible and
To learn more, please visit intersectionalenvironmentalist.com
meet people where they’re at. There are also a lot of online
creators making educational content on TikTok and social

56 57