Our movements are intersectional: Climate Justice as a Reproductive Justice Imperative
Written by Nzingha Hall, Global Black Collective Board Member
There isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t hear or listen to a news story related to climate change, global warming, or the ongoing deterioration of natural resources. The IPCC, has reached a consensus where they have determined that the impacts of human activity and resource extraction upon planet earth have reached an irreversible status. This summer, summer 2022, will likely be one of the coolest summers the earth will experience for decades to come. The changes we will experience will impact, especially, the lives of people of African descent.
In the early 90’s, Black female activists joined in community to create a framework that outlines the lived realities and intersections of Black women and their families. The term reproductive justice is defined by the organization Sistersong as, “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.”
It is without question that climate change will influence our daily lives. Not only will we encounter warmer temperatures, but we will see an increase in harmful meteorological events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding. Extreme changes in weather will impact the global supply chain. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and drought will impact the availability of grains, fruits and vegetables. This will impact the lives of families who rely on nutritious foods. Access to fresh, healthy foods is a reproductive justice issue, and climate change will undoubtedly impact how families will be able to meet the dietary needs of their loved ones.
These events will not happen in silos. Climate change will impact folks who belong to marginalized communities. Hotter temperatures can impact expecting caregivers. A study in Nature found that increased temperatures can lead to a shorter gestation. As we think about the Black Maternity crisis that exists in the U.S., and specifically the southern U.S., the intersections of climate change and reproductive justice become even more visible.
The world has faced an uptick in pricing of not only basic supplies and goods, but also increases in mortgage and rent. Recent inflation harms low-income families, especially working families that work near or below the poverty line. The federal minimum wage in the U.S. is a mere $7.25 per hour. Housing is a human right and is essential to providing stability. Stable housing is directly related to optimal health outcomes. The fear of losing one’s home or even an eviction notice can reveal stress and mental health issues for providers and their families. Thriving families deserve affordable housing. Climate change is a hindrance to housing justice.
Climate change is here. It is not a myth or a tall tale. Action needs to be taken, immediately! Nations (Especially Western nations) need to be accountable for their use of carbon and other harmful emissions. There needs to be an investment in renewable forms of energy. Above all, we have to restructure our dependence on natural resources. We have to invest in and prioritize the needs of communities.
Climate justice is Reproductive Justice.
Let’s get to work.
Sources: