Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a term coined by the feminist and legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw. Crenshaw observed that the law was experienced differently depending on someone’s race, gender, class or level of ability. Intersectionality is a lens through which to understand applications of power and the inequality produced by ignoring varying identities. Intersectional environmentalism argues that wealthy empowered individuals would be more likely to recover from climate disaster than those with multiple vulnerable identities. For example, pollution has a greater impact on low income and/or communities of color, who are more likely to live in areas directly affected by industry pollutants. Women and men are also know to experience climate change impacts differently, with women more vulnerable than men. Thus, to follow this example, low income women of color are more vulnerable to environmental shocks. Intersectionality helps us to underscore these inequalities and transform policies accordingly.