Later is Too Late: Act now to confront environmental racism on Earth Day!

April 22^nd, 2025 is Earth Day. The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Ontario Canada (CBTU), the Enrich Project and the Toronto Environmental Alliance call upon labour and the community to reconnect with and build a relationship to the earth. Why? It’s simple – the extraordinary benefits of time spent outdoors should be available to all. Outdoors, is a great big, beautiful earth, where children and adults can learn about themselves through the experience of exploring in nature. One cannot love what one doesn’t know. If we want children to become adults who will care for and protect the earth, we must encourage a strong relationship with the natural world.

The environment is a labour issue because the environment and the workplace are inextricably connected: “There are no jobs on a dead planet.” We must learn from Indigenous practices and teachings to become stewards of the land and water then re-commit through workplace advocacy to confronting the systems of environmental exploitation impacting upon our communities.

Later is Too Late! So, on this Earth Day act by:

recognizing Indigenous stewardship of the land and water for thousands of years by advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/

completing an Enrich Project Climate Justice survey to support research into climate change preparedness within Black Communities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas https://form.jotform.com/250864776817068

supporting the heat stress campaign to raise awareness of the impacts of heat stress upon working class, Black and racialized workers who often work in industries with higher rates of heat exposure. Demand justice for Caribbean migrant farm workers who are literally dying on the job with no legislative protections. https://ofl.ca/action/the-heat-is-on/

learning more about the impacts of Environmental Racism upon the Black Community across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area by watching or hosting a film documentary ( https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NptN_MWexvw ) or review the final report ( https://www.enrichproject.org/projects-2/climate-change-preparedness-in-black-communities-in-the-greater-toronto-and-hamilton-area-a-capacity-building-project/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJsxcpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHus8bCPInyIDQffQIFGlz620oisf5fp4yR8bdXrN7H0Kj2LmuYfoV4gmUZtK_aem_-eWkGiGPSaZnDbAgEzZUIQ )

making Environmental Justice a ballot issue when casting your ballot in the Federal Election. ( WorkersTogether.ca )

host a CBTU Environmental Racism workshop or Let My People vote workshop in your workplace and/or Union by contacting CBTU cbtu.ca

Donate to a Black led environmental organization such as Kids in the Woods Initiative https://www.kidsinthewoodsinitiative.org/ , Black Eco-Bloom https://www.instagram.com/blackecobloom/ and/or the Enrich project https://www.enrichproject.org/ or another community based organization in your area.

Learn more about how to take local environmental action, by subscribing to the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) e-newsletter https://www.torontoenvironment.org/newsletter_signup

Attend a Seniors for Climate Justice event in your area https://seniorsforclimateactionnow.org/ or join the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) “Plant-A-Tree” campaign to protect and restore the planet through this sustainable solution. gfoundation.ca

Confronting the Climate Emergency demands our collective effort – join in the struggle to promote Climate Justice in our workplaces and communities.

In solidarity,

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists – Canada Executive Board

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