Navigating the Frontlines of Climate Change: Resilience and Perspectives of Climate Champions

Abstract

The frontline of climate change in the African diaspora has been championed by the efforts of women. Although visibility has been given to women on the continent, the heroic efforts of African American women have often been largely ignored. Just as in the developing world, women of color have disproportionally experienced the repercussions of the assaults of a changing climate—rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and increasing pollution are threatening food security, increasing infant mortality, exacerbating poverty, and maternal death rates exposing other health inequalities. This chapter will explore the life’s work of three climate champions at Historically Black College or Universities (HBCUs) via teaching the next generation of climate activists. We use a conceptual framework that situates their work in three broad areas: (1) risk reduction and emergency preparedness; (2) curriculum, education, and health policy; and (3) outreach and environmental capacity. We will explore their stories, the political actions that have contributed to the lack of resource management, and their role in shaping women’s roles in addressing the impacts of climate change and environmental justice.