There is ample evidence that the effects of climate change will (and in some cases already are) disproportionately impact communities of color, but these groups are not always actively engaged in conversations about mitigating their impacts. According to a recent study from Yale University, only 12% of Black adults in the United States have heard of climate justice. Against this backdrop emerged Climate Revival, a new nonprofit founded by Grammy-nominated singer Antonique Smith and minister and community activist Rev. Lennox Yearwood to educate Black faith communities about climate justice and assist in climate voting.
This week, Climate Renewal, with the help of special guest Leslie Odom Jr., announced an eight-city gospel concert tour aimed at encouraging black churches to take awareness of the harmful effects of climate change to the polls. The tour is set to kick off in St. James, Louisiana, also known as “Cancer Alley,” a predominantly black community where the risk of cancer is 95% higher than the United States overall due to the presence of more than 200 petrochemical plants.
While faith and environmentalism have clashed before, Climate Renewal aims to strengthen the connection between the two and create a safe and sustainable discourse around Black-led climate action. “Our environment cannot be a partisan or political issue. We are God’s children and we must do everything we can to make our planet livable for future generations,” said Pastor Yearwood.
“Almost every week brings new storms with new names, unbearable heat waves, drought, food insecurity, toxic air and water. We face many crises and we need to unite to protect God’s creation,” Smith said this week. The Climate Renaissance Tour is bringing our community together through faith, stories, music, and our joy to inspire more voices to go to the polls and win the fight. Hopefully Climate Renaissance and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ recent pledge to take “bold action on climate” can help make 2024 not just an election year, but a long-awaited turning point for community-driven environmental action.
