Taking Meaningful Action Against Racism in the Time of Climate Change

Ever present, but continually glossed over, is the disparate treatment of, and opportunities available to, people of color. The filmed killing of George Floyd in the Spring of 2020, with the whole world watching, brought to light literally centuries of abuse and denial of rights to those who originally established the American economy – and so many other economies throughout the world that engaged in the slave trade. This systematic injustice has extended to the provision of basic services – healthcare, education, transportation – as well as to occupational choices and workplace treatment. Adding insult to injury is the fact that marginalized communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and climate change. The evidence is unrefuted that the pandemic is deadlier in people with preexisting health conditions, particularly those comorbidities which weaken lungs and disable immune systems. Thus, it is not surprising to learn that the virus is disparately impacting the poor and communities of color – a large percentage of whom are already suffering from respiratory ailments associated with exposure to air pollution. This chapter will discuss strategic ways the corporate world is surveying to combat institutionalized racism while concomitantly tackling interrelated issues of global warming and devastating pandemics.