Our growing Ecological Justice project cultivates a network of diverse artists to tell new stories about who is affected by climate change and how ecological devastation affects migrant communities and communities of color.
Individual artists—especially people of color and feminists—have been making work about the planet for decades, and our goal is to build connections toward a larger cultural strategy.
Environmental justice activists have made a clear case that the effects of ecological destruction—from pollution to food prices to natural disasters—hit hardest for communities of color and low-income people, and yet the historically white-led environmental movement often fails to address the needs of our communities.
As an organization that works to change culture—including cultures of activism—we believe it’s time to flip this script by drawing explicit connections between displacement, migration, and environmental injustice.
Additionally, despite UN findings that climate change mitigation is possible with swift action on a global scale, action tends to be delayed by dispassionate discussion of carbon caps, special interest groups, and the sheer size of the problem.
We believe this is a failure of storytelling, and that cultural organizing rooted in diverse communities can offer a clearer picture of how to think about and respond to these challenges.
We’re working with our partners at Movement Generation, Justseeds, and the People’s Climate March to create increased opportunities for migrant artists and artists of color, by providing additional funding, training, research trips, and experiences in environmental advocacy.
CultureStrike is also building partnerships with environmental justice organizations that have often lacked the resources to invest in cultural organizing strategies.
And, of course, we’re commissioning new and daring works of art that can expand the cultural imagination and motivate people towards action.
Building on our history of reaching audiences through diverse media ranging from pop culture to fine art, we’re developing poster portfolios, comedy shows, literature, activist toolkits, and pop-up exhibitions.
Ultimately we believe that content shaped by community experiences will increase the urgency, accessibility, and impact of the pro-climate movement.
Get Involved!
Are you an artist working on issues of environmental justice, or an organization looking to develop cultural strategy? Get in touch with Gabriel so we can grow this program together!
Learn More
Check out images and reflections from our contingent at the 2014 People’s Climate March on Storify.
In The News
PRI’s The World: “When environmental activists march in New York, look for immigrants at the head of the parade”