Roots of Resilience: Honoring the Black Lineage of Climate Leadership

As we enter Black History Month, I find myself reflecting on what it means to be in "right relationship" with the planet. For the Black community, this relationship has never been a passive one; it has been a profound lineage of understanding, stewardship, and resistance. This month, we honor a living tradition of Black scientists, climatologists, and movement leaders who have dedicated their lives to decoding the laws of nature and the structures of justice.

The Legacy of Understanding

The history of environmental science is deeply rooted in Black brilliance. We stand on the shoulders of pioneers like George Washington Carver, whose work in regenerative soil health was an early blueprint for what we now call sustainable agriculture. He understood that to heal the land was to heal the people. We honor Dr. Warren M. Washington, a giant in the field of climatology and a pioneer in computer modeling of the Earth's climate, whose work provides the very scientific foundation upon which we base our current warnings and hopes.

George Washington Carver. Image: Pixabay.

Dr. Warren M. Washington. Image: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Archives.

These leaders did more than "study" the world; they sought to understand its interconnectedness. They recognized that the same systems of extraction that exploit the Earth have historically exploited Black bodies. Their work was an act of liberation—a way of ensuring that our communities had the knowledge and the power to protect the air we breathe and the soil that sustains us.

Stewards of Sea, Land, and Spirit

As this lineage evolved, it expanded to encompass every facet of our natural world and our human experience within it. We see this in the work of Dr. John Francis, the "Planetwalker," whose 17-year vow of silence and cross-continental journey taught us that our relationship with the environment is inseparable from how we treat one another. We see it in the visionary leadership of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, whose work at the intersection of marine biology and policy reminds us that our oceans are not just victims of climate change, but sources of powerful, equitable solutions.

We also recognize the foundational brilliance of Dr. Beverly Wright, a scholar and advocate who has spent decades on the frontlines of "Cancer Alley," showing us that the data of the academy must always be used to defend people. These leaders bridge the gap between the lab and the neighborhood, ensuring that science is never divorced from the communities it is meant to serve.

Cancer Alley. Image: Julie Dermansky.

The Guardrails of Justice

These pioneers helped build the essential "guardrails" of accountability that protect vulnerable communities today. Alongside figures like Dr. Robert Bullard, often called the father of environmental justice, they defined environmental health as a fundamental civil right. They taught us that organized people are the only viable response to organized money, especially when that money is used to sacrifice frontline neighborhoods for corporate profit.

Honoring Our Network Leaders

Within the U.S. Climate Action Network (USCAN), this lineage continues through the tireless work of our member organizations. I want to take a moment to recognize the Black leaders across our network who are doing this work under incredibly challenging conditions.

The USCAN network is a living, evolving ecosystem. To begin naming every individual leader would invariably leave out a few, but please know this: we see you. We value your efforts, your expertise, and your unwavering commitment to this movement. Whether you are organizing on the ground in the South, advocating for policy in the halls of power, or navigating the complexities of the energy transition, you are the "relationship champions" who ensure that our fight for a livable planet remains rooted in equity.

Today, as we face a troubling pattern of dismantling democratic institutions and the slandering of experts, your role is more critical than ever. You are the indispensable infrastructure of this movement—the healers and advocates who ensure that our quest for a just transition is inseparable from the pursuit of human dignity.

Moving Forward Together

Black History Month is a reminder that we were never meant to do this alone. It is a time to lean into the transformative power of togetherness. As we celebrate the Black climatologists, activists, and visionaries who came before us, let us renew our commitment to the work ahead. Let us be the leaders this moment requires—those who facilitate collective action, protect our shared truths, and hold one another in love and solidarity.

In a world that often tries to isolate us, we remember that we are part of an unbreakable cord of many strands. Let us honor this history by continuing to build a future where all people and ecosystems can truly thrive.

In Solidarity and Strength,

Dr. Ife Kilimanjaro 

Executive Director, U.S. Climate Action Network (USCAN)

Cover image credits: Courtesy of Robert Bullard via Texas Observer