This is Black Ecologie.
eco-anxiety, but make it funny and slightly neurotic
When the climate change-induced war breaks out, and our precious democracy unravels, I will not be ready with my machete to defend the new world order. You will not find me leading a band of intrepid survivors to “New Eden,” to rebuild the human race. Mostly because traveling for more than a day makes me queasy, and I hate interpersonal conflict.
As the acid-rain storm comes down, I’ll be emptying the last bag of Skinny Pop left on earth into my mouth, panic-streaming an episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta. Savoring the only human luxuries worth living for: shade! and serving lewks!
Living through climate catastrophe requires a level of hopefulness I’ve never been able to muster. Plato once said “I’m here for a good time, not a long time,” and well, I agree.
I spend a lot of time thinking about climate change and what life looks like for Black femmes like me in the future. With these and other thoughts swirling, this newsletter will be a home for:
Imperfect thoughts about climate issues
Personal stories about nature and culture
Grappling with futurity, community, and trying to find hope again
Shameless plugs of my new work
Will you join me?
I’m indebted to the work of Justin Hosbey, J.T. Roane, and Leah Kaplan — foremost scholars in Black Ecology, from which this newsletter takes its name.
Paige Curtis is a climate and culture writer based in Boston, MA. Learn more about my work at paigecurtis.me.