Leah Thomas
@Leahtommi
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Exploring climate, justice and culture
Los Angeles, CA
Joined February 2013
It’s my book birthday!! Celebrating 1 year of my first book being published 🥹🤍 thank you everyone who has read and will read !
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I'm researching environmental justice statistics for my book and am just. floored. Did you know 71% of African Americans live in counties in violation of federal air pollution standards?!.
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My friends an I launched a new Intersectional Environmentalist platform and I'm so excited! Thanks everyone for your support :)
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Imagining a future where everyone has access to nature gives me hope. Check out the new @REI Cooperative Action Fund as they support outdoor equity projects + organizations bringing us closer to that future. #OptOutside #REIpartner
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This is a pop culture saga I didn’t want to wake up to - but um, after going viral for allegedly having a romance with Timothee, Sarah decided to plagiarize my book and nonprofit organization. My book just came out in March - this is a lil funny bc it’s so blatant
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Access to higher education is a privilege and shouldn’t be used as a tool to gate-keep environmentalism - you do not need a degree to care for our planet or be aware of the impact of environmental injustice in your community. Environmentalism is for everyone.
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I'm a Black environmentalist in @NatGeo today in a story reported by a Black woman reporter about Black environmentalists. I never in my wildest dreams thought something like this could happen and I'm just so thankful. How beautifully Black is this
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“What role should fossil fuel companies play in the road to a renewable energy transition?”. None. Ceasing to exist entirely. Paying for their crimes against humanity. Distributing their wealth as they dissolve themselves.
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I said it once and I’ll say it again : trees are the it girls of our ecosystem. They sequester carbon and give us clean breath. They look down at us because they’re so high in the sky. I rest my case.🌲 give it up for trees.
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Discussing race is not a “distraction” from environmentalism. It is deeply intertwined with environmental outcomes and who experiences environmental injustices the most. Ignoring race is, deflection.
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Hi from the White House 🌎🪴 both President Biden and VP Kamala surprised a group of environmental creators and told us how important climate digital communications is as an emerging field + I spoke to the VP about intersectional environmentalism. Thank you for having us 🥹
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My porch symbolizes a space where I find community + connection to the outdoors. Nature can be found everywhere and I'm proud to support the @REI Cooperative Action Fund to help everyone #OptOutside and connect with our environment. #REIpartner
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Use your platform! @rihanna made one tweet about the #FarmersProtest which has allowed it to trend globally and garner the attention it deserves. We must stand in solidarity with the farmer protest and demand fair treatment - spread the word!!.
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hi - my first book is on pre-order EEEKK!! Here's the cover too!! AHH!! k bye -
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Participated in the walk out at the TED countdown climate conference where a shell executive was given the stage + airtime to talk. It was traumatizing to have him there and inappropriate. So - we will resist and continue to do so. We will not legitimize climate criminals.
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One of my favorite passages to write about in my book was about the history of Hazel M. Johnson, one of the many ‘mothers’ of environmental justice ♥️ Black women deserve their flowers + for their work + impact to not be forgotten. Black history is environmental history.
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Sometimes I feel out of place in the climate movement - I didn’t grow up as an activist or anything. But then I realize, most people haven’t - and the climate movement can and should be for everyone interested in saving our planet. Even shy Black girls from the Midwest like me.
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The future of environmentalism is intersectional ✊🏾 photos : Raul De Lima
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It's not fair to say you must be vegan to be an environmentalist. 1) some people live in food apartheid 2) some people can't be vegan due to their health 3) being vegan doesn't mean you live sustainably in other areas 4) buying certain vegan foods can be costly.
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It is ✨embarrassing✨ that grown adults are making literal children become activists and focus their youth on saving a planet that these adults messed up 🤔 the audacity.
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Make environmental justice mandatory in the current educational system - pass it on.
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It’s complicated as a Black environmentalist to care so much about the missions of the enviro orgs we work for, but still feel deeply hurt and ignored at the same time. BIPOC deserve to be heard. All we want it recognition and workplace safety. So we can focus on saving the 🌍.
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Instead of asking “why is sustainability a race issue” to BIPOC I wish more “confused allies” would ask “why is sustainability not a race issue for me? What privileges have allowed me to ignore race/identity in the context of environmentalism?”.
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〰️ Having access to clean air + water should be a human right. Pass it on 〰️.
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If I don’t “act like an activist” all the time, it’s because I’m not. I’m a full person - who likes to have fun but also care for the earth. I am not always “on” and refuse to keep doing that in 2022 🤗💫 allow educators, creators, and advocates to be humans.
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How beautiful that a Black woman will be VP after a racist tried to destroy our democracy. That’s how we do it 💅🏽 Hate never wins.
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Whenever I talk about outdoor equity people spam my comments with “everyone can go outside!! It’s not racist!!” But some people have twice the air and water pollution, less trees, no parks, no fresh produce and hazardous toxins and that is indeed linked to identity 🙃 and unfair.
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We need to address the fact that the same people being betrayed by this democracy have saved this election. We need to show up for Black lives when we return to the status quo. Allies this is your chance to go beyond that black square.
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“The exploitation of the planet is deeply connected to the exploitation of people. Marginalized communities can understand the extractive nature of what’s happening with the planet + climate crisis. The same systems are at play” @nytimes climate hub Nov 4
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Sustainability that was built within the system of white supremacy was never meant to “sustain” Black and brown lives. That’s why we must reclaim it & dismantle systems of oppression within environmentalism, so it can truly stand for justice for all people and the planet.
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I finally was in a primarily BIPOC climate justice space at @COP26 and just started tearing up. Finally feeling seen + heard in this space. 💛 very grounding.
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The longer racism is not addressed, the harder it will be to save the planet, my first op-ed for @voguemagazine
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On climate anxiety : “For those of us who have seen what a hurricane can do, what air pollution can do, have seen dead bodies in our communities - we don’t have climate anxiety, we have climate ptsd. This is beyond anxiety - this is survival and a fight in itself” @Ayishas12.
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Environmental activists be like: save the trees + recycle. Intersectional Environmental activists be like: No justice no peace save the trees and the communities that need more trees for clean air. Dismantle systems of oppression and arrest the cops that killed #BreonnaTaylor !.
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Did you know environmental justice organizations receive less than 5% of total philanthropic funds granted to environmental work? And Black women founded and led orgs receive less than 1% ?! ~ 50% of enviro. funding goes to the same 10 large white led orgs.
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My book is done 😭 coming to you March 2022. With over 20 contributors, this is a labor of love and I am so grateful. The future of environmentalism is intersectional my friends - pre-order here :
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My environmental practices doesn’t have to look like yours or yours like mine, which is the beautiful thing about intersectional environmentalism. Our cultures + identities are infused and intertwined with how we view + practice sustainability and it’s all valid.
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I started going by Leah in elementary school because white peers couldn’t pronounce “Alliyah” - but in my adulthood that fills me with regret because, there’s just an “uh” before Leah. It’s easy. They could surely pronounce it, they just didn’t want to. white supremacy is lazy.
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With only two weeks out from pub date 🌈💚💫 pre-order a copy of my first book ✨ (and spread the word) 💚🌱
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It is especially odd because she 100% did not in any way coin the term intersectional feminism, that was created by dr Kimberle Crenshaw. The only reason IE exists is because we believe her theory can be applied to environmentalism so - wut.
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Cop26 “It is love that made thousands of us March in the street and in the rain, it is love that we are here sharing our stories and asking world leaders to bet on tomorrow and the love for the little things because those are also at risk when we speak on extinctions” @Ayishas12.
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Thank you Biden for acknowledging systemic racism and the talk Black families have to have for survival. Thank you for admitting institutional racism is real. We need to hear this (white ppl need to hear this) #Debates2020.
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A lot of environmentalists are expressing their frustration for being "forced" to be an intersectional advocate + consider racism + other forms of bigotry now that enviro. justice is becoming more commonplace - but I find that frustration really misguided and hurtful.
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I’m still cackling that @voguemagazine let me begin a piece with ‘I don’t want to read about John Muir anymore’ 🤣💚 but for real, more BIPOC representation in environmental stories plz
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So - here’s a great example of the micro aggressions + blatant racism BIPOC environmentalists face in this field, when we’re told advocacy for our lives should be “secondary” and an optional add on to saving the planet. As though our liberation can’t be part of that solution 🙃
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I can be happy about the termination of a pipeline, but also have empathy + want solutions for those impacted by job loss. We shouldn’t have to pick and choose between job creation + degradation of people + planet. We need better alternatives + a green economy.
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To the people hating on teenagers on TikTok for dancing in their videos about the climate crisis and social justice, if i've got to pop lock and drop it to help start a revolution and educate the youth then pop lock and drop it I WILL DO. Let's stop gatekeeping activism.
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It's funny when people find out I'm 25 because they're like "hmm. how can I still belittle you and treat you like a child and discredit your environmental advocacy and 7+ years of experience in this space". I still have room to grow and evolve, but I am a grown ass woman.
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It is not hard to find BIPOC environmentalists. We have been here, for years, advocating for the protection of our people + the planet. My biggest hope with IE is to help amplify the efforts that have already been happening and find ways to unite us to fight together.
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The environmental justice movement was created by Black researches, activists, organizers, advocates and every day citizens like Hazel M. Johnson, Vernice Miller-Travis, Dr. Robert Bullard + more and I need ya'll to remember that! Climate justice is rooted in Black history.
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Y’all nobody said we think Joe Biden is our lord & savior, we’re just excited a dictator Cheeto man who almost ruined our country is no longer in power. We can celebrate his departure while knowing the work still needs to continue - let us have a moment of rest + joy.
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Thank you so much @ShawnMendes 💛.
Today I’m handing my Instagram over to the incredible @Leahtommi, environmental justice advocate and founder of @isxenviro. She’ll be giving us an inside look into different events that took place at COP26 the last few days in Glasgow. Head to my IG story now hear more ❤️
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I’d like to say - cop26 is incredibly wasteful, there is no need to have so many activations + displays like an expo. What is the goal again?It is also being sponsored by oil companies. This explains why the most racial and informative events are happening outside of cop grounds.
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Went from being in an all white environmental space where people mixed up my name to starting my own org that’s BIPOC , femme and youth led and having a network of BIPOC + queer environmentalists + dear friends within a year… :) and that’s the tweet. And My name is Leah 😘 #nye.
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The US doesn't even make it into the top 10 countries of vegans/vegetarians so there's no reason to center a US perspective in this space when more than 30% of India, 17% of Mexico, 14% of Brazil + Taiwan's populations are vegetarian. We need representation of global BIPOC voices.
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I’m screaming !!! @AOC (the intersectional environmentalist Queen) just started following intersectional environmentalist! Our movement is growing 😭❤️🌿 this debate was trash, but intersectionality is still the future and there is hope for a greener and safer future for all.
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Not only this - she directly copy and pasted my nonprofits mission from our former website into her website. I am concerned because she may be soliciting donations to a false org and is also selling Timothee merch.
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It breaks my heart that so many youth activists are robbed of their childhood, held to impossible standards, riddled with public scrutiny and exploited by orgs/governments. A reminder that they deserve joy, a life outside of activism, compassion and support. 🤎.
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May we grow into the mentors we’ve always wanted and hold the generations after us with care. 🤍.
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I don’t want part in any type of environmentalism that doesn’t advocate for the protection of Black and Brown folx. None of it, not an ounce, not a slice - none of it.
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I find it odd that people are trying to pit intersectional environmentalism against environmental justice. when the goal of the term IE is to raise awareness for EJ history in traditional enviro education. They aren’t competing in any way.
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Some people take it to the streets, some infiltrate the system from within, some have tough conversations with friends and family, some use art and creativity - there’s no one right way to create change, it really does take all of us doing our unique thing. Less gatekeeping 👌🏾.
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Let’s Ask @VP 🌱🦋 Had the opportunity to ask two fun questions to @vp on hope + inspiration before a recording of climate podcast ‘A Matter of Degrees’ with @leahstokes and @DrKWilkinson - check out their interview with VP on climate justice, leadership and heat pumps!
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I personally am not religious, but I spoke at a church about climate justice and it opened my eyes! There are a lot of unlikely allies that gravitate towards environmentalism and social justice from their respect for people + planet that stems from their religion.
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Does the Supreme Court hate women + the earth + our literal right to breathe clean air?! What is going on.
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Hi!! Are you a teacher or professor that’s added The Intersectional Environmentalist book to your syllabus? If so let me know below + the name of your course ⬇️ (also thank you!! 🥹)
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Not interested in any type of environmentalism that excludes social justice. ‘Apolitical’ environmentalism doesn’t exist - because the destruction of the planet AND the marginalization of its people is political - it’s upheld by oppressive systems. Non intersectional.
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A reminder that Black led environmental organizations receive less than 1% of total philanthropic funds and 12 environmental orgs receive over 50% of funding that goes to environmental work. Black led orgs receive pennies in comparison to many of your fav orgs and it’s not ok.
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If people only knew the harmful work environments many BIPOC face in environmental organizations. I sat in on a call with 10 current and former BIPOC employees of a prominent organization and it brought me to tears. I had no idea that my experiences only scratched the surface.
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Got a book deal from one of the largest publishers in the world, a year after another publisher ghosted me + abandoned our project - a few months after losing my job because of covid. What is for you, is for you, and nobody can ever take that away - no matter how long it takes.
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When environmental policies actually protect all BIPOC communities (that are disproportionately exposed to environmental injustices) I’ll stop “making environmentalism about race”. But racism is embedded into environmentalism so I can’t just look away.
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Hate crimes against Asian Americans have jumped 1900% in NYC in the last year. This is incredibly underreported.
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we did not wake up in a different world today - we woke up in a world that continues to place profit over planet, destruction over humanity, and violence over empathy and compassion. We need global systems change. #solidarityWithUkraine.
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thx you buzzfeed :).
"The people who are currently facing the harshest impacts of climate change are people of color.". Why this woman's post about Environmentalists For Black Lives Matter went viral. Special thanks to Leah:.
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If we don’t address systemic inequality in the environmental movement - who would even benefit from a safer + greener future? Not my people. So don’t ask me to save the salmon and ignore Black lives.
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It’s official - The Intersectional Environmentalist Book is coming ❤️🦋
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Came all the way to Glasgow for cop26 and BIPOC youth can’t go to see Obama at the cop event , even though his speech is about youth engagement, because it’s a private ticketed event for elite. However many white youth activists were able to attend.
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people are really quick to praise white rich celebrities that start environmental organizations or initiatives (but still live relatively luxurious lifestyles) but condemn BIPOC environmental activists, struggling to make a living, for taking partnership opportunities.
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Today I met one of my role models Park Ranger Betty Reid Soskin (who is 100 years old + fabulous 💅🏽) and she let me wear her hat! 😩 she is such a beautiful reminder that Black history is Environmental History. We filmed our conversation + can’t wait to share more soon 💫
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Life Update: @UCLA selected my book for their common experience program - meaning thousands of first year students will read the book + learn about environmental justice and intersectionality, regardless of their major, as they start their academic careers. WHAT A DREAM
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Happy book birthday to my first book: The Intersectional Environmentalist and happy #InternationalWomensDay 💚🌱
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It's concerning that at @COP26 I've seen more of a willingness to support climate justice + distribute wealth to environmental justice initiatives from corporations + private foundations than actionable steps from governments (who run the world), to support. .
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We pleaded for him to be removed and our concerns were not addressed - climate events do NOT need to platform big oil and their green washed “solutions” to the crises they’ve caused. This valuable time on stage should have been given to BIPOC activists from around the world.
Hypocrisy alert incoming ⚠️. @TEDCountdown positions itself as "a global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis," yet, they've invited @Shell's CEO to speak ⁉️. Join us to protest in Edinburgh 📢 #KickPollutersOut.💥
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Have I experienced eco-anxiety? I honestly don’t know. As @MaryHeglar said “ Climate Change Isn’t the First Existential Threat” for Black folx + oppressed identities especially. Unpacking eco-anxiety at @nytimes A New Climate
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So many of my Climate friends are writing books and let me tell ya’ll - your bookshelves are about to be STACKED with that new new - from eco anxiety, to environmentalism and AI, to veganism + BIPOC queer identity - get ready for a wave of inspiring new environmental books. 💅🏽.
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If you are treating other activists or organizations that are doing the same work as you as “threats” or in a competitive manner you are doing it wrong. The climate crisis is much too urgent. We have nothing to lose + everything to gain from everyone being involved - no egos plz.
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The Black digital creators were representing today at the White House + advocating for environmental justice✊🏾🌎
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When environmentalists don’t believe in vaccines I see it as a case of people going so far left they end up going right 😭 right on down to conspiracy theories and anti-science. The same science that proves the climate crisis proves vaccine efficacy.
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My kitten is, how do you say… ✨unique✨ she loves a morning shower.
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Sustainability also includes how we care for + sustain ourselves and our communities in addition to how we care for the earth 🌱 a reminder to tend to your mind, your body and our planet 🌎.
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In awe - I feel like I’m watching the women environmentalist avengers assembled on stage at the @nytimes climate hub : @GretaThunberg @EmmaWatson @vanessa_vash @toritsui @domipalmer @BirdgirlUK @Malala and more 😍💛
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