As National Parks were formed in the US, many Indigenous peoples who had lived on the lands for millenia were forcibly removed. The beauty they helped to steward was given, instead, to future generations of tourists to enjoy.

Mainstream conservation and sustainability efforts  notoriously lack (and dismiss) diverse voices. This often leads to policies that benefit a relatively small group of people while leaving out – or even harming – many others. 

The tax incentives and ongoing benefits of green energy, for example, primarily go to homeowners while leaving out low-income renters who might benefit most from the savings. And despite big promises made to workers in the fossil fuel industry, recent reports show that Black and Latino workers, as well as those over 55 or without a college degree, are the least likely to benefit from the booming industry.

Without representation from across communities, sustainability movements further increase gaps in access, health, and wealth, all while overlooking critical insights from those on the frontlines of the challenges.