Before the Streetlights Come On: Black America's Urgent Call for Climate Solutions

by Heather McTeer Toney

Overview

Climate change. Two words that are quickly becoming the clarion call to action in the twenty-first century. It is a voter issue, an economy driver, and a defining dynamic for the foreseeable future. Yet, in Black communities, climate change is seen as less urgent when compared to other pressing issues, including police brutality, gun violence, job security, food insecurity, and the blatant racism faced daily around the country.

However, with Black Americans disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change—making up 13 percent of the US population but breathing 40 percent dirtier air and being twice as likely to be hospitalized or die from climate-related health problems than white counterparts—climate change is a central issue of racial justice and affects every aspect of life for Black communities.

In Before the Streetlights Come On, climate activist Heather McTeer Toney insists that those most affected by climate change are best suited to lead the movement for climate justice. McTeer Toney brings her background in politics, community advocacy, and leadership in environmental justice to this revolutionary exploration of why and how Black Americans are uniquely qualified to lead national and global conversations around systems of racial disparity and solutions to the climate crisis. As our country delves deeper into solutions for systemic racism and past injustices, she argues, the environmental movement must shift direction and leadership toward those most affected and most affecting change: Black communities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506478623
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	04/18/2023
Pages:	198
Sales rank:	1,066,955
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Heather McTeer Toney is an attorney, environmentalist, speaker, and writer. She was the first Black, first female, and youngest mayor elected in Greenville, Mississippi, at age twenty-seven. In 2014, she was appointed by President Barack Obama as regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency's Southeast Region. Formerly the senior director for Moms Clean Air Force and vice president of community engagement for the Environmental Defense Fund, Heather currently serves as the executive director for the Beyond Petrochemicals Campaign. She is frequently featured on various networks and outlets, including CNN, Apple's The Problem with Jon Stewart, MSNBC, Democracy Now!, Fox News, the New York Times, Washington Post and DAME. Heather lives with her husband and three children in Oxford, Mississippi.

Editorial Reviews

02/06/2023

Toney, the vice president for community engagement at the Environmental Defense Fund, argues in this inspired call to action that climate issues are inextricably tied to the pursuit of social justice. According to Toney, Black communities are more likely to be “impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes and floods”; to be located near petrochemical complexes and abandoned toxic sites; and to lack grocery stores that sell fresh fruits and vegetables. Impoverished Black children are also more likely to suffer from lead poisoning than their white and Latino counterparts, and young Black men in redlined neighborhoods are especially vulnerable to the upticks in violence that occur during warmer months. It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Noting that “Black Americans and Latinos are more concerned about climate impacts than any other demographic,” Toney calls on readers to normalize climate change conversations, identify nearby pollution sources, and “vote for community-led, community-driven policing initiatives,” among other concrete actions. Throughout, Toney lightens the mood with amusing anecdotes about watching R-rated horror movies as teenager (“for some crazy reason, white people ran towards the conflict”), finding overpriced collard greens in a “health food-based grocery store,” and more. The result is a persuasive case for why Black activists should be at the forefront of the environmental movement. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"A persuasive case for why Black activists should be at the forefront of the environmental movement." —Publishers Weekly 

"Heather McTeer Toney gives us a practical, accessible, essential book that directly responds to Mother Earth's call: 'Say my name; you gonna respect me,"' as she dishes out some 'Do Right' to make sure we all know she's pissed about how we have disrespected the gift and how she expects us to do better moving forward." —Mustafa Santiago Ali, EVP, National Wildlife Association

"This book is so important. Heather McTeer Toney brings to life the intersection of climate change and the social justice issues faced by Black Americans daily through her stories and lived experience. ...This is the urgent solution we need in order to effectuate equitable climate policy. Heather's book will help people of all backgrounds see clearly the effects of unjust and unbalanced actions on Black America as well as understand why it is critical to our collective survival." —from the foreword by Dr. Robert D. Bullard and Dr. Beverly Wright, authors of The Wrong Complexion for Protection: How the Government Response to Disaster Endangers African American Communities

"Climate change affects all of us, but it doesn't affect us equally. All too often, those most affected are already overwhelmed by the cascading impacts of inequity and injustice. Drawing from her vivid life experiences and wealth of knowledge, Heather McTeer Toney sounds a clarion call for immediate climate action in and for marginalized communities. Why? Because if we don't fix climate change, we can't fix anything else." —Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World

"With crystal clarity, Heather McTeer Toney documents the shameful history that has left Black communities particularly vulnerable to the ravages of climate change—and explores what we can do about it." —David Axelrod, director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and CNN senior political commentator

"Now is a time for deeper and more diverse public thought about climate and environment. Heather McTeer Toney is taking up the challenge." —Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, national climate strategist and founder of Climate Critical Earth

"McTeer Toney brilliantly describes the real impact and politics of climate change at the community level. If you want to understand the way forward—the way we solve this challenge through the democratic process—you need to read Before the Streetlights Come On." —Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund

"Before the Streetlights Come On breaks climate out of its wonky shell and brings it into the living room, backyard BBQ, and fellowship hall. Using the language of everyday people, Heather McTeer Toney blends common sense, humor, and storytelling. This book will welcome you into the topic or help you see it with fresh eyes." —Dr. Katharine K. Wilkinson, coeditor of All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis

From the Publisher