What follows are a few highlights from a conversation with Macalester student, Luca DeGraaf about Risikat’s approach to environmental justice and also the importance and ethics of community-engaged research.

​​”To young activists, Risikat calls for “a dual or triple-thronged approach” to combating environmental injustices. Not only do we need non-profit community organizers and grassroots representation advocating for their community to the State and the world, we also need State activists willing to respond to those grassroots community organizers and reaching out to EJ communities from positions of political power.”--Luca DeGraaf

“If we are asking community members to come to our building, which may be an unfamiliar space, and advocate for themselves and speak in formal scientific terms, at minimum we need to be willing to go into these communities and meet people where they are at, speak with them with respect, listen to them and learn about them, to do our own homework, and not expect people to overextend themselves to educate us, because that is unacceptable. I think that is the only solution. We really need to learn some empathy. Many believe the complicated pollution algorithms and equations tell the full story, but they mean nothing if people are being hurt.”--Adesaogun Risikat

What follows are a few highlights from a conversation with Macalester students, Jillian Kirk and Anthony Chin-Wing about Hernandez’s approach to environmental justice. Hernandez has worked with COPAL around various campaigns including organizing against Line 3, the Hennepine Energy Recovery Center incinerator, and COVID-19 impacts. 

​​”As he concluded, Marco discussed how an institution like Macalester College can work towards an environmental justice mission. Suggestions included investing in BIPOC organizations, divesting from fossil fuels, and connecting students with organizations in this area who are doing this work." 

"Marco's advice for young activists centered on lifting up the voices and stories of frontline organizers. He encouraged volunteering with groups, joining if they have a membership option and listening to others. He talked about how it is important to help others without making yourself the face of the campaign. Marco also mentioned the importance of accessible language. Too often organizations, specifically White-led organizations, can get too caught up in things like bill numbers and specifics, alienating others from participating and creating a sense of imposter syndrome for those not constantly updated."

What follows are a few highlights from a conversation with Macalester student, Sophie Mark-Ng about Rodney’s approach to environmental justice. Rodney become involved in environmental justice activism while a student at Macalester taking courses in American Studies and Environmental Studies. Rodney joined MacCARES, an environmental sustainability student organization. 

​​”Rodney feeds off the energy and the optimism of the youth he works with. It is what gives him hope about the future of climate justice. Seeing high schoolers connecting over a shared agreement that climate change demands actions, actively creating change within their communities, and raising their voices to be heard at a higher level gives him confidence that real progress will be made for sustainability and environmental justice issues in Minnesota. This is what motivates Rodney to continue his work creating the space for the voices of many more youth activists to be heard."