As we urge Co-Counselors to take action to stop climate change, some are likely to feel that this means reducing our commitment to ending racism. I think we must all work together to see that ending racism remains front and center. In fact, I don’t think we have a chance of ending the threat of climate change without addressing racism directly. The two are entwined and closely related. 


People of the Global Majority around the world, including in the United States, are already experiencing more of the effects of climate change and will continue to be the hardest hit by it.


Racism divides us, making it difficult to recognize that we are in this together and share a common worldwide interest in stopping climate change. Thus it keeps us from building a movement strong and unified enough to stop it. 


In the United States racism is used to manipulate voters into supporting politicians who deny the existence of climate change and oppose taking action to stop it.


Climate change and racism must be addressed together, and we need to become skilled in communicating clearly how connected they are.