Six Black Environmentalists You Need to Know (Video Edition)
We hope you have some time to sit down and get inspired. In honor of Black History Month, we’ve gathered some of our favorite clips that celebrate individuals working hard to improve our planet. These artists and activists have created positive change in their communities through gardening, hiking, spoken word, and more. We’re thankful for their vision and commitment the whole year through.
1. John Francis, The Planetwalker
After observing an oil tanker collision in San Francisco Bay in 1971, John decided to commit himself to protecting the planet. He stopped using motorized vehicles and walked everywhere, despite pushback he received from friends. He took a vow of silence for 17 years in an effort to listen better to people with opposing viewpoints. He earned a PhD in environmental studies, founded the nonprofit organization Planetwalk, and eventually began working for the US Coast Guard Oil Pollution Act. He continues his walks today to further his goal of uniting people to protect the environment. Learn more about his story in this TED talk.
2. Amanda Gorman, US Youth Poet Laureate
You’re probably familiar with her inauguration poem, but have you listened to her thoughts on saving the planet? Several years ago, Amanda presented her original “Earthrise” four-minute poem as part of the Climate Reality Project’s “24 Hours of Reality” campaign. We loved it then, and we think you’ll enjoy it now. Nobody could put it more beautifully.
3. Ron Finley, Guerrilla Gardener
In 2010, Ron planted vegetables on a South Central Los Angeles parkway in an effort to provide produce to people in need. Soon after, he was cited for gardening without a permit. He banded together with other activists to start a petition, and twelve years later, he’s still going strong. He plants edible gardens on sidewalk lawns and abandoned lots, and considers himself a “rebel with a green thumb”. Watch his TED Talk to learn more and get inspired.
4. Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Urban Ocean Lab
For marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, standing up for the ocean is a calling. Her willingness to raise her hand and use her voice for the ocean comes from the belief that if we work strategically, collectively, and quickly, the ocean can rebound in a magical way. She is the founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for coastal cities, and is co-creator and co-host of the podcast How to Save a Planet. With Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, she co-edited the anthology All We Can Save, and co-founded The All We Can Save Project, to nurture the feminist climate renaissance. The video we share here was part of a petition for the 2021 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, but it still speaks volumes today.
5. Spoken Word Artist Prince Ea
As the human population continues to grow, so does our impact on the environment. In fact, recent research has shown that three-quarters of Earth’s land surface is under pressure from human activity. In this short film, spoken word artist Prince Ea makes a powerful case for protecting the planet and challenges the human race to create a sustainable future.
6. Mardi Fuller, Outdoor Afro
In this video, Outdoor Afro's Mardi Fuller leads a hike around Houghton's Pond at Blue Hills Reservation. It’s more than just one activity, though—through her work, Mardi encourages others to connect with nature, let go of stress, and be with community, all while celebrating being black. Watch more below to learn more, and we promise, you’ll feel exhilirated.