Kicking off Black History Month at CCL
By Syeda Hiba Naqvi
Happy Black History Month! Throughout February, we will be highlighting the work of Black environmentalists and activists around the world. In this blog post, you’ll meet some Black environmentalists making an impact in our communities and creating the political will for a livable world.
SAVONALA “SAVI” HORNE
Savalona Horne started her work in North Carolina. Prior to that, she worked for Africare, an NGO in South Africa. During that time, she gained interest in farmland ownership. When she moved to N.C., Horne began increasing her knowledge of the history of black farmers and the issues they faced. Horne received her B.A. from the City University of New York and her J.D. from Rutgers University. She completed six years of service on the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council of the United States EPA. For her environmental work, she received an Award for Excellence from the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER). She provides legal expertise and advocacy skills to farmers in distress facing environmental challenges with limited resources. Her organization, Land Loss Prevention Project, also takes on litigation, public policy, and promoting sustainable agriculture. As a state, regional, and national NGO leader, she is instrumental in addressing the needs of Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and limited-resource farmers and ranchers.
ROBERT D. BULLARD
ROBERT D. BULLARD
Robert D. Bullard is often described as a pioneer of environmental justice. Born in Alabama, he is the former Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School Of Public Affairs and is currently a professor at Texas Southern University. He has written several books on timely topics such as sustainable development, environmental racism, climate justice, disasters, emergency response, and community resilience. Bullard is an educator who teaches his students about environmental racism and justice. He devoted his life to gaining equal environmental protections for all, as federal money and relief funds are often doled out inequitably by state and local governments. Check out what he’s up to on his Twitter below.
#BLACKHISTORYMONTH: Fighting for Cleaner Air in ‘Cancer Alley’ | Everyday Health https://t.co/HU59cep1Ak
— Robert D. Bullard (@DrBobBullard) February 16, 2023
WANGARI MAATHAI
Wangari Maathai is the founder of the Green Belt Movement (GBM). The Green Belt Movement has planted and re-planted over 51 million trees. This project operates from the grassroots all the way to the international level. GBM advocates for environmental conservation, climate resiliency, and empowering communities. It promotes democratic space and sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on lifting up women and girls.
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Maathai has worked hard for environmental education during a climate crisis — her passion is educating women on how to grow seedlings into plants and then sell them.
She also helped start environmental classes that teach women forestry techniques. Graduates of the classes then become tree nursery managers, Green Belt promoters, and rangers.
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Syeda Hiba Naqvi is the CCL Spring 2023 Communications Intern. As a student of Public Policy, she hopes to work in climate policy and write about social and environmental issues impacting people in an ever-changing global climate. She is excited to be helping CCL in its crucial work.
