How does your zip code affect your life expectancy? The impacts of climate change, toxic water, and dirty air aren’t evenly distributed. Low income and communities of color bear the brunt of these impacts.

Today, we dive into conversation with Peggy Shepard, an environmental justice pioneer who has worked for more than three decades to shine a light on the ways damage to the natural world intersects with issues of race and class. She co-founded WE ACT for Environmental Justice, a community organization based in New York City with the mission of ensuring that the right to clean air, water and soil extends to all people, no matter where they live, what color their skin is, or how much money is in their bank accounts. Many of the environmental protections she helped to fight for in her community have later been scaled up to the national level, benefitting people around the country and even around the world.

This episode is sponsored by Humanities Montana, a nonprofit dedicated to infusing the humanities into public life. Check out their Gather Round toolkit, a free DIY toolkit to spark engagement with the humanities at home.

And by Clearwater Credit Union, a values-based, member-owned banking cooperative, serving Montana since 1956. Clearwater believes banking can build a brighter, more sustainable future. Learn more at clearwatercreditunion.org/sustainability.