Intersectional Environmentalism: The Sustainability Imperative Colloquium

Activist Leah Thomas delivered a plenary address at the Advertising & Society Colloquium, held at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History on March 1, 2024. Drawing from her book The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet (Voracious, 2022), Thomas explored the connections between environmentalism and social justice, highlighting how marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental hazards. She shared her journey through her academic and professional experiences, to arrive at the concept of intersectional environmentalism. This approach stresses integrating racial, gender, and economic justice into environmental advocacy. Thomas called for diverse representation in environmental movements and criticized the historical exclusion of marginalized voices. She urged for responsible and inclusive practices in advertising, promoting sustainability, and amplifying underrepresented communities’ concerns. This holistic view underscores the interconnectedness of ecological and social issues, urging a reevaluation of advertising’s role in fostering a sustainable future. This talk was part of a broader colloquium theme, “The Sustainability Imperative,” and was followed by a panel on the legacy of Smokey Bear and a plenary by sustainability-focused professor Deb Morrison.