This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

There is no specific way to organize people to shape policy, though there are many lessons we can gather from indigenous organizing and leadership. Today we’re joined by a powerhouse in the environmental justice and indigenous rights movement- Jacob Johns. His activism involves policy, art, storytelling, and community advocacy – using creative methods to advocate for resistance and resilience.

Jacob is a grassroots organizer committed to building Indigenous power on a global scale, traveling around the world to elevate Indigenous voices and movements. His leadership has been central at major international climate summits, including COP28—where he led the Indigenous Wisdom Keepers delegation—and COP29. Blending activism with artistry, Jacob uses creative expression as a powerful tool to illuminate both the struggles and resilience of Indigenous communities.

“Indigenous- most people would say we are activists but it’s’ our moral obligation to protect the earth. Born to protect the earth. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done.” – Jacob Johns

The post S5E9: Indigenous Organizing & Leadership (Part II) with Jacob Johns appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

Indigenous advocates have been at the frontlines of environmental protection and climate action for hundreds of years in the face of colonization and continue to face violence today. Despite indigenous people comprising just over 6% of the global population, they steward and protect a vast majority of the planet’s biodiversity and critical water sources. Whether it’s the way we extract resources, the way we teach history, or the way we treat each others- we need to think about how to center indigenous knowledge in a post-colonized society.

In this episode we outline what it means to support indigenous knowledge, organizing, and leadership in the climate fight through a candid discussion with Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck, a cyber-security and intelligence analyst turned water protector and co-founder of 7 Directions of Service.

“When you ask people to care about the environment, you’re asking them to extend care for people other than yourself and family. It’s your cousin, it’s your neighbor. It’s future generations.” – Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck

The post S5E8: Indigenous Organizing & Leadership (Part I) with Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

The US is not necessarily in good standing on the international stage, and many young people feel that domestic and global climate policy do not represent their interests. There’s a need for leaders to take courageous action to address these challenges. A frequently asked question by politicians and leaders is “how can youth get involved in the climate and environmental justice movement”.

In this episode we bring Youth Climate Policy Council founders Analyah Schlaeger dos Santos and Ren Martin to discuss centering youth in policy advocacy, not just in the US South, but globally. 

“When we say the “youth is our future”, we are not only in the future but we are in the present. We deserve decision making power now.”

To learn more and get involved in youth led organizing visit @youthnpower on Instagram.

The post S5E7: Solidarity Across Borders (Part II) with Ren Martin & Analyah Schlaeger dos Santos appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

The Global South (AKA the global majority or folks typically south of the equator) and the US South have more in common than people think. Today, we’ll examine how extraction, suffering, and the powerful elite have shaped our warming planet, and dig into what grassroot advocates are pushing for to secure a fair and livable future—from demands for “loss and damages” to global climate equity campaigns like ShiftUS. We’ll also reflect on what it means to keep fighting for climate justice under a new administration hostile to climate action.

Hear Alex Easdale, Executive Director of the Southeast Climate and Energy Network, Reverend Michael Malcolm, Executive Director of the People’s Justice Council, Susannah Tuttle, Director of Eco-Justice Connection with the North Carolina Council of Churches, and Natalie Lucas with the US Climate Action Network as they discuss some of these pressing challenges and what folks are doing to combat them.

The post S5E6: Southern Solidarity Across Borders (Part I) with Alex Easdale, Michael Malcolm, Susannah Tuttle, & Natalie Lucas appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

In a world impacted by climate change and uncontrolled growth and extraction, actions and careers that deal with moving money, building businesses, and expanding nonprofits, at first glance, feels counterintuitive to acting on climate change. However, there are many people, especially those representing marginalized groups, whose entrepreneurship is dedicated to building up communities and stewarding quote, “an ecosystem of opportunity”.

In this episode, we hear from Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, President and CEO of the Environmental Grantmakers Association as she talks about what it means to be an environmental entrepreneur in today’s climate.

“Lets build things that outlast us, and communities are the best invention we’ve got” – Tamara Toles O’Laughlin

The post S5E5: Environment and Entrepreneurship with Tamara Toles O’Laughlin appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

When we talk about climate change, a lot of people picture melting ice caps, heat waves, or rising sea levels. But one major piece of the puzzle often gets overlooked—our health. The same pollution that’s driving climate change is also impacting our bodies in ways we might not even realize. From lung disease to learning disabilities, from asthma attacks to mental health.

In this episode we’re talking with Dr. Anne Mellinger Birdsong, Health Advisor with Mothers & Others for Clean Air, about how pollution is affecting public health, why the South is particularly vulnerable, and what we can do to protect ourselves and push for change.

“The same greenhouse gases that impact the climate include dirty air and pollution. Air pollution affects people of all ages, and causes health effects such as learning disabilities, lung/asthma problems… and even mental health problems.” – Dr. Anne Mellinger Birdsong

The post S5E4: Health and Environmental Justice with Anne Mellinger Birdsong appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

In a climate changed world, we must address that challenges that AI data centers bring and support local organizations like Tennessee’s Protect Our Aquifer that are fighting for our communities. In this episode, we hear from Protect Our Aquifer’s Executive Director, Sarah Houston, about some of the challenges they’re facing related to AI data centers.

NPR states that the average AI data center consumes 300,000 gallons of water a day, and there aren’t clear regulations to stop mega companies like Meta, Google, Amazon, or Elon Musk’s xAI from draining our water resources. 

“Working in coalitions and in community means that we get to see everybody’s strengths, and this [AI fight] is the perfect opportunity to show the skills off” – Sarah Houston

The post S5E3: Artificial Intelligence and Climate (Part II) with Sarah Houston appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

In this episode, we’re bringing in Memphis Community Against Pollution director KeShaun Pearson to reflect on the renewable source of people power against injustice.

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, requires massive data centers, and the data centers require massive amounts of energy and water to function. AI data centers are popping up all over the US, including Virginia, Texas, and Tennessee, and there’s little existing regulation that holds them accountable to the communities they occupy. 

“The only way to take down giants is through community. And the only way to engage with the community is that you have to show up.” – KeShaun Pearson

The post S5E2: Artificial Intelligence and Climate (Part I) with KeShaun Pearson appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

Welcome back to Climate Justice, Y’all! In this episode we’re kicking off season 5 with a conversation with William Barber III from the Rural Beacon Initiative and Katie Thomas from the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center as they talk about climate justice and federal funding.

Federal efforts are illegally disrupting promised financing to everyone from the Department of Education and FEMA, to local community organizations. In this episode, we will bring in two experts to discuss the impact of federal funding and “direct pay” credits for climate adaptation projects, outline the current landscape we’re dealing with from a top-level, and suggest avenues we can take to continue our work and accomplish our goals.

William Barber III is the founder and CEO of the Rural Beacon Initiative, a North Carolina-based social enterprise that offers private and public consultancy, strategic convening, and deployment of models for practical, scalable community based solutions in order to help businesses address the triple bottom line.

Katie Thomas is the Director of Energy and Environment Programs at the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center. The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center (CPC Center) works to ensure that frontline communities have the strategic insight and tools to shape public policy and they utilize policy and process knowledge in order to educate partners, foster cross-movement solidarity, and demystify government.

The post S5E1: Funding Climate Adaptation with William Barber III and Katie Thomas appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.

This is Climate Justice, Y'all!, a podcast dedicated to lifting up and centering the climate and environmental justice movement in the South. Climate Justice, Y'all

Welcome to the season finale!

In this episode, we’re highlighting the incredible work of Democracy Green, an Afro-Indigenous-led conservation organization based in Western North Carolina. Hurricane Helene devastated Appalachia months ago, and while many are still rebuilding, Democracy Green’s dynamic duo, Mama Sanja Whittington and her daughter La’Meshia Whittington remind us that neighbors and networks are the first responders in times of crisis. Their approach is rooted in relationship-building, cultural understanding, and a commitment to healing both the people and the land by way of climate consciousness.

We will explore their innovative model of mutual aid, powerful stories from the frontlines, and their vision for a world where corporations are held accountable, and communities are equipped to thrive amid climate change and disasters.

La’Meshia Whittington- Cofounder and Board of Green Democracy

For more, check out season 1 episode 8 “When Disaster Strikes Part I with Michael Esealuka” and season 1 episode 9 “When Disaster Strikes Part II with N. Teresa Ramos.”

The post S4E4: When Disaster Strikes: Hurricane Helene with La’Meshia and Sanja Whittington appeared first on Climate Justice, Y'all.