Environment groups need more diversity, activists say
Dominique Palmer is a climate justice activist, focusing on environmentalism and how to get people involvedWhen you think of climate campaigners, David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg and Leonardo Di Caprio may come to mind. In the UK, the environment industry is thought to be one of the least racially diverse, but some young campaigners are trying to change that.
"I didn't feel connected to the environmental movement. I saw it as a very white space and somewhere that wasn't for me," says Dominique Palmer.The 23-year-old has just returned from the United Nations environment meeting, COP27, in Egypt, but says as a child growing up in London, she didn't imagine herself doing any of this.
"I just didn't understand that some of the issues, for example asthma and air pollution that I was facing growing up, were actually also connected to environmental issues," she adds.Dominique sees a disconnect between the black community and climate industry in the UK and feels there are a few reasons behind this:African and Caribbean countries are disproportionately located in parts of the world that are vulnerable to climate hazards, hurricanes and flooding.
Despite this, the UK environmental sector is the second least diverse industry in the country - just after farming. Just under 5% of environment professionals identify as black, Asian or from other ethnic minorities, compared to around 12% across all professions in the UK, according to the
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Climate change: Environment groups need more diversityActivists say they are becoming concerned about the lack of representation in the UK climate industry.
Read more »
This new directory reveals the environmental and ethical impact of your beauty routineA directory designed to illuminate the brands genuinely dedicated to improving the impact they have on the earth.
Read more »
Ouse Washes: River bank raised in £40m flood protection workRaising the Middle Level bank in the Fens will protect homes from flooding, Environment Agency says.
Read more »
The Lincolnite tries: Fresh menu at The Rest Hotel on Lincoln's Steep HillThe Lincolnite tries: Fresh menu at The Rest Hotel on Lincoln’s Steep Hill
Read more »
Exeter city centre 'greenest' in Britain, University of Sheffield researchers findExeter's urban environment has the highest number of green attributes, new research finds.
Read more »
Critical future for city trams as use at 60% of pre-Covid levelsIn March, the Built Environment Committee assessed Nottingham's public transport
Read more »