Leah Thomas’s The Intersectional Environmentalist (2022) highlights how environmental issues disproportionately affect marginalised communities, linking social justice with sustainability. She critiques mainstream environmentalism for sidelining voices from racialised and underprivileged groups, advocating instead for an inclusive approach that recognises intersecting systems of oppression. The book serves as both a call to action and a practical guide for embedding intersectionality into environmental advocacy.
As a climate justice curriculum developer, Thomas’s work is an inspiration to embed intersectionality in teaching environmentalism and sustainability in the curriculum. While efforts at UAL have focused on reducing carbon footprints and educating staff on the Carbon literacy training, sustainability initiatives often lack an intersectional lens that considers the experiences of communities most affected by climate change—those marginalized by race, gender, ability, age, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Expanding the curriculum to include these perspectives is essential for a more just and holistic approach.
A key step in fostering this understanding is addressing privilege—the unearned advantages and societal benefits granted based on identity. UK Higher education often prioritizes Western, white, and middle-class perspectives, overlooking the lived realities of those disproportionately affected by environmental crises. Applying Thomas’s insights, I aim to create spaces where students and staff critically examine their identity, how this shape their positionality, and the role privilege plays in shaping environmental discourse.
A concrete next step is facilitating a workshop on unpacking privilege in climate justice education. This will help academic staff recognize biases in their teaching and develop more equitable approaches through self-reflection and discussions on integrating intersectionality into curricula.
Reference
Thomas, L. (2022) The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet. New York: Voracious.