The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet

by Leah Thomas

A primer on intersectional environmentalism aimed at educating the next generation of activists on how to create meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable change. 
 
The Intersectional Environmentalist is an introduction to the intersection between environmentalism, racism, and privilege, and an acknowledgment of the fundamental truth that we cannot save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people -- especially those most often unheard. Written by Leah Thomas, a prominent voice in the field and the activist who coined the term "Intersectional Environmentalism," this book is simultaneously a call to action, a guide to instigating change for all, and a pledge to work towards the empowerment of all people and the betterment of the planet. 

In The Intersectional Environmentalist, Thomas shows how not only are Black, Indigenous and people of color unequally and unfairly impacted by environmental injustices, but she argues that the fight for the planet lies in tandem to the fight for civil rights; and in fact, that one cannot exist without the other. An essential read, this book addresses the most pressing issues that the people and our planet face, examines and dismantles privilege, and looks to the future as the voice of a movement that will define a generation. 
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Social Justice, Feminism, Science, Politics, Nature

208 pages, Hardcover

First published March 8, 2022

About the author

Leah Thomas is an environmentalist, author, and creative producer based in Los Angeles whose work explores the intersections of ecology, culture, feminism, and social justice.

Through her creative studio, Green Girl Productions, she produces cultural events and community experiences, including London’s first Black Ecofeminist Summit.

Thomas is the author of The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet, inspired by her experiences as an environmental activist as well as her second book Earth As Mother.

She founded the nonprofit Intersectional Environmentalist and has advised organizations, including Apple, on climate solutions. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, ELLE, Playboy, Goop, CNN, and Good Morning America. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, TIME100 Next, and TIME100 Creators, Thomas has also appeared on stages including TED, Dreamforce, the New York Times Climate Hub, and Aspen Ideas.

Outside of her writing and environmental work, Thomas is an avid crafter with a particular love for natural dyeing and hosts a crafting club centered around creativity, nature, and community. She lives in Los Angeles with her two beloved cats, Cosmo and Sunny.

Reviews

[Sammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a nice little resource for introducing the topic of intersectionality in environmental science. There are a lot of lovely anecdotes, questions to ask your self and resources to follow up on if you find a specific item particularly interesting.

It looks a bit at the history of environmental justice, ecofeminism and race struggles in the environmental movement. However, to me this felt like a supplementary book - one to be paired with a college class, textbook or a book on environmental justice, racism or ethics and/or recommended as additional reading. It didn't quite feel like it could stand alone and teach the topic at hand. Once upon a time I took an environmental ethics course that blew my mind and completely changed how I thought, and I was hoping to have the same experience here but this book stayed fairly surface level.

A nice introduction for non-environmental persons and good resource to have overall. Am excited to see what else Leah Thomas produces.

[Emmalita · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a person in my life with whom I share many values, but he consistently dismisses race and gender as things about which he ought to be concerned. Because he doesn’t consider himself to hold racist beliefs, he doesn’t understand why we’ve all been talking about race when we really ought to be focused on climate change. Since I am a known radical, he has largely dismissed my insistence that climate change can’t be solved without also dismantling patriarchy and white supremacy. While my constant use of phrases like “dismantle systems that uphold white supremacy” and “gender is a social construct” elicited anything from rolled eyes to indulgent chuckles, I had created a tiny crack in his assurance that there is no vast white male conspiracy to control the world. The turning point came in the aftermath of January 6th when he started to see for himself the relationship between racism and the erosion of voting rights. Without the right to vote, there is no way to pressure elected officials into caring about the health of the planet. He began to consider that I might not just be an over educated nutter.

During this period of open mindedness, I have been reading Leah Thomas’ The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet and sharing information and thoughts with him. I’ve been able to introduce both of us to BIPOC environmental activists. While he will probably never understand what I mean when I say gender isn’t real, we’ve had some very good conversations about the intersections of racism and environmental policy. Reading Leah Thomas’ book has helped me articulate more clearly my belief that saving the planet cannot be separated from dismantling systems of oppression.

The Intersectional Environmentalist gave me a much better understanding of the scope of intersectional environmentalism, and how I can be more intersectional in my advocacy and work. Thomas brings in her own experience and perspective, and reaches out to bring in the voices of activists from other BIPOC and queer communities. In addition to bringing in multiple voices and viewpoints, Thomas also provides an expansive tool kit with resources to learn more about specific issues and communities.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up to review as a biologist, because environmental biology and land conservation have been heavily influenced by white men, mostly from the 19th and early 20th centuries. I think the future of conservation is in a diversified workforce and a paradigm shift away from the European models that are so harmful to Indigenous people and non-white people, especially women.

But this book doesn't cover that beyond a couple of sentences in the chapter that is kind of the IE manifesto. If you're interested in those issues, I recommend reading Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors or Trace: Memory, History, Race and the American Landscape or something by Drew Lanham or Robin Wall Kimmerer. I look forward to finding more resources on Intersectional Environmentalism and natural history and conservation.

The Intersectional Environmentalist covers a broad range of topics: feminism, anti-racism, ecofeminism, Environmental Justice, and some individual issues in the environmental movement such as fast fashion, climate change, renewable energy, and food justice. This book is perfect for people who may know about environmentalism, or anti-racism or feminism, and need to know how they fit together. Leah Thomas is at the beginning of a movement that is overwhelming in its scope, the overlap of social justice and environmentalism is important and it's huge. I'm excited to see where this movement goes, and I think having this little guide on the shelf is a good start.

The author is a Black woman, and overall the book is written from that perspective but she brings in Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian authors to give their perspectives. The first half of the book is kind of a history and manifesto, discussing feminism, race and ethnicity, sexuality, disability, and environmental issues. The second half of the book is a toolkit that is suggestions from specialists in certain areas and a brief resources section. The book covers such an overwhelming range of topics in a short span, and it does not feel very organized, but I think it manages to be effective nonetheless. I would definitely hand this book to my nephew in high school or some of the old codgers in my field as an introduction to the ideas behind Intersectional Environmentalism.

My thanks to the publisher and Reverie Books in Austin for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My main issue with this text is that it presents itself as a "How to", but it's really only an intro to Intersectional Environmentalism with the most basic definitions of the various terms involved. If you already know what words like "intersectional" and "privilege" mean and are looking for more depth on the topic, you can skip this book. There's no "how to" involved aside from very general open-ended questions.

[Jennie Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be an excellent book for high school students and for intro college and university classes as well as anyone new to the topic. There are even chapter questions for reflection.

It gives a good overview of the topic but lacks the depth I was looking for. I appreciate the genuine attempts to be inclusive but found that when it came to disability and LGBTQ it was lip service. There were a couple mentions of the global south but its focus was the US. There were some excellent points regarding Indigenous sovereignty and the section on green energy was especially interesting to me.

[Alyej · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of hype for a mediocre book.

If you're interested in primer level definitions, anecdotes of college experiences, oddly cherry picked history facts, lists of other books you should read, umbrella quotes with filler, and curt explanations of textbook level environmentalism, this is the book for you. While this wasn't a bad book, I would hardly say it was worth the read. Chances are, the target audience this book was meant for already knows 85% of the content mentioned. I will add as well that this is not a "how to" in any way. It's really a brief introduction to a highly complex topic.

This author did a really good job with the aesthetic of the book. It is visually pleasing and looks really good on a coffee table. I feel like this is most of the appeal.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been waiting forever to read this book...to further my knowledge of the shit we do to the BIPOC community. I started to pay attention more when the Flint water crisis happened, and then, Covid happened, which made me question things. Then, the cancer cluster started dominating local Houston news for the 5th Ward residents. Now, I wanted to know more.

This book is a good first step to learning about environmental racism. There is a lot of information, and I especially like all the resource varieties at the end to further your knowledge or participation. I also loved how she does look at the darker side of the green wave like what's happening with lithium mining and the indigenous people of South America. I wished her book was better organized and this may be the Technical Writer in me, but it annoys me to no end when I see inconsistent use of abbreviations and/or just throwing them out there without an explanation. Whatever you do, be detailed and keep it consistent. And she did use the word Intersectional Environmentalism a lot, like every sentence and sometimes multiple times in one sentence.

I do highly recommend this book as a starting point; she does give a list of books to read, too.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

super informative, provides evidence to the point that environmental injustice/racism literally cannot be denied. gives solutions on how we can be sustainable in our individual lives but it’s main idea is how BIPOC people need to be part of, if not at the front and centre of the fight against climate change.

this one is for u erin 🫡

[Danna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Important content, poor execution. Every once in a while, I read a NetGalley that makes me wonder if the corrected book will be an improvement over the ARC. Intersectional Environmentalist is one of those for me—the insets, discussion guides, and content didn’t come together in a fluid way, which may be improved upon final print. The content in this book is SO important, but I disliked the writing. I felt like I was reading a middle school primer on intersectional environmentalism, aimed at a young, naive reader, rather than a smart, informed adult. When I rate a book like this poorly, I feel a sense of guilt because I’m not rating the content or topic poorly (and don’t want to be judged as doing so), but the writing and the book itself.

If you’re new to the idea that race, class, and other demographics are a factor in environmental justice, this may be a great first read. It didn’t work for me, but others have found it useful in exploring this topic. Lastly, be prepared to be reminded that racism is alive and well in the United States.

[Annapurna Holtzapple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, you don’t learn much that’s brand new, but for some new good tis bits and stats and quotes and reframes. Good writing and a great resources guide at the end

[Annabel Kok · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an interesting overview. However I did find it’s organisation to be a little choppy and having interacted with quite a lot of climate change media (other books, documentaries etc) I found that this was very surface level. I would definitely recommend it if you are wanting an introduction to intersectional environmentalism, however if you already know a bit then perhaps you will find that this doesn’t dive deep enough.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We can't save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people, especially those most often unheard" - Leah Thomas

This book is an excellent introduction to the concept of intersectional environmentalism and the inextricable interconnectedness of environmental work and social justice. It includes extensive back matter, discussion questions and thought prompts bookending each chapter, and compelling data presented in a comprehensible manner. I would highly recommend it for book clubs and perhaps even for our anti-racist booklists.

Leah Thomas not only includes her own perspective and thoughts as a Black women studying intersectional environmentalism, but also the work and experiences of Latinx, Indigenous, AAPI, and more voices in the movement. She begins with the definitions of intersectionality, a history of oppression and division in past movements, and how many environmental movements have (deliberately or otherwise) excluded or sidelined the voices of people of color, nonbinary, trans and queer folk.

Using data, metrics, and medical patterns from reliable sources, she presents a history that is not in the forefront of the environmental movement. One where discriminatory practices and policies have disproportionately placed communities of color in the path of environmental waste and unhealthy living conditions, where low income Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Latinx communities were left out of the Clean Water Act or and The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in the 70s. These are the communities that suffer most, but whose voices and experiences are so often pushed out of the environmental movement.

Each chapter ends with discussion questions and an Intersectional Environmentalism pledge, urging readers to think critically about the information presented and how they may use it going forward.

"One day I hope that when people think of an environmentalist, they'll automatically envision a person who cares very deeply about both people and planet"

Thank you Netgalley for the advance eArc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jazmine Deicke Sandhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an introduction to the topic and uses accessible language. I learnt nothing new but it wasn’t a bad book.

[Brynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨audiobooked✨
Super informative and very accessible for everyone! I feel this should be a required reading in all environmental science majors. While some of the information provided I did already know there was a lot that was new to me especially information about fast fashion, the history of veganism in non-white spaces, and the many bipoc leaders who helped move the environmental movement forward.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book and so I think part of my rating is the let down that it just didn’t deliver. The book was like a love letter to herself and her coining the term IE and the organization with the same name. Most of the quotes in the book are from her and her fellow cofounders, which doesn’t bode well for the amount of research put into the book. There wasn’t much.

The subtitle of the book is misleading because it just really wasn’t about that (that’s what I wanted to read about). The first half of the book was about how people are/were racist against Black people, and apparently only Black people. And the second half was just the bibliography and a “tool kit” which lists hundreds of resources of I guess where we go and actually find what we thought this book was about? I’m still confused. I thought this book would heavily feature Indigenous voices and specific examples but 95% were only about her and her friends. I think the only mention of what Indigenous people have done for the environment was one paragraph on the Alcatraz occupation which was in the 1960s and I’m pretty sure it’s common knowledge, especially if you are working in the environmental justice space, so again no research. You’d think she’d mention them more considering they’ve been stewards of this land she’s writing about for thousands of years, but it’s like they don’t exist.

She uses the term BIPOC several times and says to make sure we elevate their voices, but at the same time she did the complete opposite and almost never spoke about any other minority group. So I was a bit taken back by her tone and just put off by the lack of representation, which was what she claims to preach the whole book - is to include all the minority groups but she did the exact opposite and rather centered herself and only listed contributions of those similar. She only briefly acknowledges other minorities plight of environmental racism in the short chapter 4.

There’s not much to learn here, it was more just like an intro manual I would say. I don’t normally get annoyed at books, but this is probably one of two or three that really just annoyed me mostly because of her hypocrisy and lack of inclusion.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Overall, I was hoping this would go more in depth on intersectional environmental issues. Most of the book was an intro to intersectionality and environmental racism. The end of the book got more in depth and was absolutely fascinating to me. I do really appreciate how this highlights how the faces of green movements like veganism and sustainable living tend to be richer white folks, while plant-based diets and sustainability have been staples in communities of color, immigrant communities, and countries in the global south for generations—but they aren’t as aesthetically Instagram-mable, so they are not the faces of the movement. I would like to know more about some issues Thomas mentioned towards the end, such as how green energy movements can still be very harmful to indigenous communities. Like, the production of rechargeable batteries (renewable!) has come at the cost of toxic waste and lack of clean water to areas of South America (painfully ironic but not surprising!). Also, of course, it makes me mad that so many sustainable movements are tailored for rich folks and ignore the needs of communities in need, such as the gentrification of thrifting making it more expensive for poorer people to have access to those clothes. This is a topic I’m passionate about and I want to learn more; this book was mostly introductory info I already knew though.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Intersectional Environmentalist shows us that in our fight for our planet we cannot ignore the injustices of the people who reside there. Climate justice and social justice should be fought for as one because caring for our earth should include caring for its people. This book explains how underrepresented and oppressed groups are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues and what we can do to combat this. Inclusion and diversity within environmentalism to support the advocacy of the people and planet is our next step to combat social and environmental injustice together. This was an enlightening and compelling read that I would recommend to anyone wishing to learn more about environmentalism, social justice, and the importance of the intersectionality between the two.

[Elisa Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read to introduce yourself to eco feminism and race struggles in environmental justice. Leah Thomas emphasizes the importance of environmental policies to have an intersectional lens; she segments the racial experience from black to brown to Asian to indigenous. Some points are a bit over the top, but overall Thomas puts in effort to cite each one. It’s helpful there’s discussion questions at the end of each chapter for further reflection. Overall, a good, colorful read covering a crucial topic in the environmental, social, and governance space.

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really is a primer on the topic, it's a bit bloated with names for the length of the book in my opinion but if you're new to questions of intersectionality it's a good and welcoming place to start. It's unpretentious and endeavors to be easily understood so you won't need a dictionary to understand what you're reading.

[Aster]

Ultimately suffered from not knowing its target audience: people picking up this book are likely aware of the concept of intersectionality and privilege and also know the basics of environmentalism (and maybe like me concepts such as environmental racism). The first half of this book could have been skipped which would have allowed for longer chapters and more depth as we finally get into the concrete stuff. Some really interesting chapters on lithium mining in South America and its impact on indigenous communities as well as the intersection of veganism and Black and Brown people. However most chapters are shirt and really surface level whereas I expected this book to specifically dig into those issues. While it's aware of the Global South it remains ultimately US-centric with a couple mention regarding disability and LGBTQ people without expanding more on those topics. At point it felt like a self help book mixed with an introduction to intersectional environmentalism and not an actual essay on the topic.

It is meant and will do well with some people who are looking for something like this (It's trying at the same time to target allies (white feminists) and Black and Brown girls in business (and maybe STEM)) but it was not what I was looking for.i am however very grateful for the list of resources given at the end and will look into them

[Ana Rodríguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should be considered common knowledge. The vocabulary, historical context, and foundational information it presents are essential for anyone engaging with environmental issues today.

That said, I found myself slightly underwhelmed. Having studied Environmental Analysis in a highly interdisciplinary context in the U.S., the content didn’t introduce many new insights for me personally. This isn’t to undermine the book’s value—it offers a solid foundation—but I would categorize it more as a beginner’s guide to environmentalism. And any environmentalism worth practicing must be intersectional; otherwise, it's missing the point.

I appreciated the structure of the book: the reflection questions at the end of each chapter and the Q&A segments with environmental leaders create an interactive, workshop-style format that supports learning. This approach enhances accessibility and encourages readers to think critically about their roles within environmental movements.

For those who are just beginning to explore environmentalism and want to understand how to ensure their efforts are both planet- and people-centered, this is a great starting point.

P.S. While the book attempts to adopt a global perspective, it remains heavily U.S.-centric. As someone whose environmental awareness was shaped by being born and raised in the Global South, this framing felt limiting and, at times, frustrating.

[Dasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an accessible introduction to the topic. It would be great for teaching or a book club as each of the brief chapters ends with a variety of critical thinking questions. Thomas easily breaks down highly politicized terms, especially critical race theory, in order to highlight their true intent and meaning. Thomas also uses relevant examples to apply how intersectional environmentalism is relevant. My favourite (or least favourite depending how you look at it) was the example of fast fashion. I also learnt a lot about the history of Earth Day, and its connection to the Civil Rights Movement, that I didn't know about previously. My only real critique is that I wish that the book was a bit longer!

[Kayce Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The author covers a wide range of topics from racism, feminism, white supremacy, and more, all from an environmentalist perspective. The book did feel a bit overwhelming at times and maybe even a little disorganized, but the message was clear, and I liked how she tied a lot of history into the book as well.

[Sarah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, approachable, and actionable. Very great read.

[Jai Raphael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.

[Dev Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this had been a textbook for one of my college classes.

[rebeca🏄🏼‍♂️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

good intro to the ideas of intersectional environmentalism and why it’s necessary… will def be doing more research and it inspired me to take my environmental efforts more seriously

[CZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful. Challenging. Eye-opening. The Intersectional Environmentalist is required reading.

This book covers a lot of ground -- representation, environmental justice, anti-racism, feminism, privilege, ableism, veganism, green energy, and a whole lot more. It's dense. Super dense. But that's the point -- there's no more room for delicacy right now. Thomas gets straight to the heart of the issues, fully intent on making a lasting difference. To call this work important is an understatement.

For some looking for an all-in-one kind of resource, The Intersectional Environmentalist won't feel like enough. With so many intertwined issues being presented at once, it can feel overwhelming. But for people looking for a launchpad to develop their most impactful work, this is it.

Everything is well-cited and sprinkled with lots of quality quotations to give perspective. A list of further reading, listening, watching, and supporting acts as a great supplement for people who feel inspired after reading. This Tool Kit portion takes up about a third of the book and is not to be missed.

The author describes The Intersectional Environmentalist as "simultaneously a call to action, a guide to instigating change for all, and a pledge to work towards the empowerment of all people and the betterment of the planet." Nobody could've said it better.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Izzy Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO so so important for anyone with an interest in environmental conservation, justice, or activism.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful introduction to a movement that influences the lives of everyone. Leah Thomas has created an informative and digestible manual that should be assigned reading, especially for those in the counseling and environmental fields. Though I was previously aware of the general concepts being presented, this book opened my eyes to the breadth and depth of what is happening in our world in terms of intersectional environmentalism.
What I would have liked to have seen in this book were more real-world stories and case studies from people who are actively involved with this movement. There are sections that run parallel to this concept, but they are short and tend to reflect the general concept of the chapter or section.


*A digital copy of this book was provided to me from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.