Our mission at EarthHero is to make sustainable shopping so easy, everyone does it. And yet, not everyone has the same experience with sustainability.
The truth is that climate change, pollution, & toxic waste disproportionately affect minorities and people of color, yet those groups are more likely to be forgotten & excluded from the green movement. Numerous distresses of institutional racism are interwoven with environmental degradation, and it is up to those who have privilege to stand up to this injustice.
Greenaction.org explains that, “environmental justice refers to those cultural norms and values, rules, regulations, behaviors, policies, and decisions to support sustainability, where all people can hold with confidence that their community and natural environment is safe and productive”
We cannot and will not see true environmental progress until we first address racial inequality. As we grow EarthHero, we will be intentional about change and not just well-intentioned. We’ve taken a look at our brands, charity partners, & our overall product assortment. We pledge to bring on more brands from black and minority owned businesses, and to ensure that our non-profit partnerships include organizations focused on environmental and social justice.
We’re aware that it’s on us, as individuals and as a company to ensure that all employees are encouraged to deepen their knowledge on these important topics. We pledge to conduct immersive diversity and anti-racism trainings, and to focus on building a more diversified workforce in order to bring different perspectives to this movement.
We pledge to not let our pledge end here. This isn’t the first conversation we’ve had regarding making EarthHero the most equitable and accessible company it can be, and it won’t be our last.
Climate justice and racial justice are complicated, but connected, issues. We stand in solidarity with the black community and allies in the fight against institutional racism and oppression. We stand with those fighting for answers, and advocating for change. Our mission is to unite people and planet, and to do so, we must first confront issues of racism and inequality.
“Protecting the planet is also about protecting the people on it.” – Elsa Mengistu
We’ve been diving deep into ways we can become more educated as a team, and support the social justice movement. In that spirit, we’d like to share some of the amazing resources we’ve found with you below.
“I’m a Black Climate Expert. Racism Derails Our Efforts to Save the Planet” – Ayana Elizabeth Johnson | Article
“White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” – Peggy McIntosh | Article
Anti-Racism Packet | Guide
“Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors” | Book
“Climate Changed” – Megan Mayhew Bergman | Article
Justice for George Floyd | Petition
Justice for Breonna Taylor | Petition
115 Ways to Donate in Support of Black Lives and Communities of Color | Article
Donate to Equal Justice Initiative
“Why Diversity is the Key to Unlocking Sustainability” – Jarami Bond | Article
These are just a small set of amazing articles, petitions, and resources we’ve found to educate yourself and help be a part of the movement. If you have others that resonate with you, please feel free to comment them below!
If you have feedback, questions, or ways we can further get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We value deeply what our passionate and engaged community has to say about social justice issues, and would love to hear from you.
