THE CHAPTER LEANS INTO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE

The Climate Reality Bay Area chapter is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We're conscientiously working to end systemic racism, fight for climate change, and justice. How we respond as Climate Reality Leaders is our process for change. The chapter recently received a question about our chapter membership:

QUESTION:

I was reviewing your website and your offerings after learning about your organization from a forwarded email. Through the photos you have on your website of your members, I am concerned that there is a lack of racial diversity in your organization. Climate change tends to affect minority groups disproportionately, yet they appear to be underrepresented (ascertained via the photos) in your organization. 

Have you made all attempts possible to make this a safe space for minorities and BIPOC to be involved in your works? 

RESPONSE FROM OUR CLIMATE JUSTICE CO-CHAIR, TERON MCGREW:

I had an opportunity to think about your assessment of diversity within the Climate Reality Project and the Bay Area chapter's website. I agree with you about the website and the need for more diversity. It does not represent ethnic diversity and as an African-American, it represents white privilege. We can change this.

Nevertheless, we are an evolving Chapter and I am always most respectful to our founders, Wei-Tai Kwok, and Steve Richards. This is a volunteer organization whose members are dedicated to climate change and I am committed to creating a comfortable and "belonging" environment so that more marginalized communities, indigenous and people of color will join. This is the reason I created the Climate Justice position that I share with Alma Soongi Beck. Moreover, I created the Climate Justice (CJ) Salon Series where I conscientiously invite frontline environmental justice organizations and place them on the CJ platform, to fortify the educational and policy action needs of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our chapter.  Check out my salon series on Climate and Anti-racism which incorporates the component of "belonging."

Most importantly, we need more people of color in the Climate Reality Project  I love being a part of this community because I feel supported by former United States Vice President Al Gore, CEO and President Ken Berlin, and my peers. They are very serious about bringing frontline communities to the forefront of the climate movement, and their commitment towards diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. There is no way that I would be in an organization that is not authentically standing in its truth to end systemic racism, colonized injustices, and "Black Lives Matter," and a "Just Transition” for all into a greener economic recovery. The Climate Reality Project takes a stand on racial justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. I strongly encourage you to read the links that I have provided.

In addition, Dr. Robert Bullard (Father of Environmental Justice) is on the Climate Reality Project Board. I also recommend that you check the Atlanta, Georgia Training slide deck, the platform for environmental justice within the Climate Reality Project. And might I bring reverence to Bishop William Barber, The Poor People's Campaign, and his son William J Barber, III, Esq., leading the Climate Justice Initiative for the Climate Reality Project.

I am a woman of honesty, integrity, and dignity. That is all I know and have. I am not afraid to speak truth to power, so I welcome your tenacious perspective and voice. We need you in climate activism in the movement and in our chapter. We can't do this alone.

We have work to do, I look forward to working alongside you!