The Environmental Movement Was Built on Assumptions of Racism — Telling the Truth is the Way Forward
For over a decade, Green Leadership Trust has been doing the work of naming what others in the environmental sector have been reluctant to say: that the movement was built on assumptions rooted in racism, and that confronting that truth directly is the only path forward. GLT’s latest writing on Medium makes that case with clarity and urgency.
What the Piece Argues
The environmental movement has long operated as though its values and structures were neutral — when in fact they have been shaped by racial assumptions that have systematically excluded People of the Global Majority from leadership, decision-making, and the benefits of environmental protection. GLT argues that the way forward is not to soften this reality but to tell the truth about it.
Why This Matters Now
- The current political moment is putting pressure on organizations to retreat from equity and inclusion commitments
- Environmental organizations that fail to reckon honestly with their own history cannot build the accountable, justice-centered governance the movement needs
- Truth-telling is not a liability — it is the foundation of trust, credibility, and lasting change
Read the Full Piece
This article reflects GLT’s ongoing commitment to honest reckoning and justice-centered leadership. It is essential reading for board members, organizational leaders, and anyone committed to building a more equitable environmental movement.