In the United States, cannabis arrests make up over half of all drug arrests. And these arrests are not made equally. Studies show that, despite similar usage rates, Black people are 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for possession than white people (in some counties, it’s up to 50 times higher).

Both Ecofeminism and Intersectional Environmentalism explore how the treatment and degradation of the earth exposes a deeply rooted societal problem. But while Ecofeminism narrows in on gender, sexuality, and the patriarchy, Intersectional Environmentalism creates space for all social injustices, including sexism.

I heard about him on social media-- an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, was shot and killed and the civil unrest of Ferguson flooded the news. I began to examine my black identity in new ways and attempted to process the information and trauma as protests erupted and fires burned structures to the ground.

“You didn't just erase a photo. You erased a continent. But I am stronger than ever,” Nakate tweeted alongside the photo. She was one of few youth activists of color at the event, and her existence had been erased. A wave of online support flooded towards her, and the post initiated a larger conversation about diversity and inclusion in the climate change movement. It became clear: It wasn’t just about one photo but the continued erasure of activists of color and unequal coverage by the press.