“We need everyone to do anything”. The Intersectional Environmentalist platform and Atmos (a climate and culture magazine) recently shared this message, highlighting the importance of everyone being involved and finding their place in the movement to work for a more sustainable future. The post goes on to outline the numerous ways that individuals can contribute to the sustainability movement from unexpected methods (such as making coffee and tea for organizing meetings, to using social media as a tool for documenting and organizing, to contributing creative skills) to the more stereotypical methods including using one’s voice and being on the ground during a demonstration.

This message helps to deconstruct one of the initial barriers that newcomers face when deciding whether to become involved in sustainability - they may not see themselves as a typical environmentalist and may wonder how that reflects on their place in sustainability spaces. The Intersectional Environmentalist movement has helped to deconstruct old ideas of what a sustainability advocate looks and acts like, and helped to reframe the role that people of all skills and backgrounds can have in shaping a sustainable future. Many of the youth that lead the movement do not identify as activists, but instead identify with other approaches and strengths that they bring to the movement (for example, the founder of the movement, Leah Thomas, identifies as a communicator advocating for sustainability). Curious about the skills that you can bring to the sustainability movement? Take the What Kind of Changemaker Are You? quiz, the Green Careers Quiz, or the view the What You Can Do for the Climate resource guide to get started. Pattie Gonia offers some starting points for reflection leading into action include: “What identities do you hold? What brings you joy? What are you good at? What needs to be done?” And, “What are your communities?” This orientation helps to make space for less gatekeeping in sustainability spaces, redefining the idea that sustainability has to look the same for everyone by allowing for a diversity of folx with different skill sets and different methods to come together for collective impact towards the shared goal of a more sustainable future. 

Supporting Inclusive Spaces for Sustainability Engagement on Campus: 

Campus opportunities for students to be involved in sustainability include activities where all students are invited to engage across their interests. The Student Sustainability Center (SSC)’s offers student volunteer opportunities related to gardening, beekeeping, cultural sustainability, marketing and social media, and waste reduction. Offering this array of programming allows students to find places where they can offer or grow their skills while in community. The diversity of students involved in SSC’s programs is further highlighted by the number of majors that participated in SSC’s program’s in 2020-2021, with 40 majors represented and 44% graduate and 56% undergraduate students. 

More about the Student Sustainability Center’s Understanding of and Approach to Sustainability:

The SSC defines sustainability through the Intersectional Environmentalism framework that advocates for people, the planet, and prosperity. Intersectional environmentalism approaches sustainability through a critical understanding of the ways that our identities influence the SSC’s work in the sustainability movement. It recognizes the ways that environmental injustices are influenced by social inequalities, and the need to center the leadership of frontline communities who face environmental and other injustices. (Learn more about this history here). SSC’s approach to sustainability includes advocating for an environmentally just future that is livable and dignified for all. In acknowledging a past where many people did not see themselves represented in environmentalism and sustainability, the Intersectional Environmentalist movement gives power to historically excluded groups to shape the future for themselves and to create spaces where they feel welcome, heard, uplifted, celebrated, and supported in implementing effective change.  SSC is working to center an inclusive and intersectional understanding of sustainability. The SSC commits to examining our own programming and the work of the greater sustainability movement in dismantling harmful systems of oppression. Read more about the Sustainability at PSU commitment to anti-racism and social justice within our work.