Activists Encourage Environmental Groups to Address Gaps in Representation

I have dedicated my adulthood to environments steeped in silent truths—boardrooms designed with alabaster elegance, donor retreats adorned with recycled bamboo reaching for noble aspirations. These venues echo with terms like “equity” and “justice,” yet the individuals most affected by the crisis are often absent from the discussions, sometimes even from the building itself. Erasure creeps in subtly, manifesting through decisions justified in the name of progress, along with unsettling silences. The environmental movement, particularly within the Big Green realm, has been molded by this phenomenon for decades.This observation comes not from a place of shame but from a long-standing investment in these organizations’ missions. Notably lacking are African American, Latino, or Indigenous leaders at the highest levels, perpetuating a cycle that must change. The movement requires diverse voices—not tokens but visionaries capable of intertwining environmental preservation with the welfare of marginalized communities. As we confront escalating climate challenges, inclusion is essential for true progress.