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Will Your Activism Clash with Your Career?
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Isaias Hernandez Is Making Space for Queer People of Color in the Environmental Movement
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Isaias Hernandez: Queer, Brown, and Vegan the Educator the Environmental Movement Needs
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The latest Instagram trend is PowerPoint-style presentations
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Why is Environmental Education so important?
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Isaias Hernandez is Queer, Brown, and Vegan
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Tackling Environmental Racism with Isaias Hernandez
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Meet Isaias Hernandez of Queer Brown Vegan
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Power In...
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queerbrownvegan

What continues to drive your motivation for a bett What continues to drive your motivation for a better planet? For me, the community has always been the driving motivator to continue my environmental work. My earliest days growing up in Los Angeles started by not visiting natural landscapes but participating in community activities to understand that we must not litter on our home grounds. Beach clean-ups have always been a way for me to connect with people, especially when picking up trash and recognizing that we are showcasing future generations to be better stewards. The water has been a way to calm my soul and by closing my eyes, I reimagine a better future for everyone. I am excited to share that my favorite plant-based protein drink, @drinkevolve has teamed up with @OneTreePlanted and they are seeking outdoor enthusiasts to share their stories about the importance of preserving our outdoors. Not one but THREE lucky entrants will be selected to receive $10,000 each to use towards their community initiative. Whether you do community gardens, beach clean-ups, or start a local environmental education program in your neighborhood, they want to hear how you advocate for change in your community. To enter, post a video no longer than 30 seconds to Instagram describing how you are protecting and preserving the outdoors and what you’d do with $10K to further your efforts. Make sure to caption your video with #EvolveOutdoors #Contest and follow and tag @DrinkEvolve to be entered. For every entry, EVOLVE will donate $1 to One Tree Planted, up to $5K. Good luck to everyone applying. Share your local initiative in the comments below! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal res of 50 US/DC, 18+ only. Submission phase begins 6/3/22 and ends 7/1/22. For Rules, visit DrinkEvolveOutdoors.com. Void where prohibited. Msg&data rates may apply. Photographer: @cerowastecindy #evolveoutdoors #contest #evolvepartner
I’ve been considering moving back to Los Angeles I’ve been considering moving back to Los Angeles after my lease ends in the East Coast this winter. Building community in the environmental movement is essential for our continued work. I recently attended the @hollywoodclimatesummit this past week hosted by @yeaimpact . I’ve been running partnerships with @eco.tok and this event showed me the power of bringing people together to be able to validate our work. There are so many emotions I had being able to connect with people I’ve met online before in real life. While there should be more events focused on community building, being able to spend the last week in Los Angeles reminded me that this place is still home. To all my friends who are listed below, thank you! @jhanneu @rezacristian @sabrina.sustainable.life @eco.og @eco.friendly.actress @earthrebranded @theearthstewardess @trashcaulin @traashboyyy @abbiesr @ameaa @allisonbegalman @samuelrubinv @thealword #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #ecoeducation #hollywoodclimatesummit #environmentalscience
New YouTube video is now live! Antitrust experts s New YouTube video is now live! Antitrust experts say that markets are dangerously controlled once four firms control 40-50% of the market share. In the case of our food, four firms or less control at least 50% of the market for almost 4/5 grocery items, like pork, coffee, cookies, beer, and bread. For every sale happening at a grocery store, about 64% are going to one of these major players. All of these mergers and acquisitions have led to a dangerous concentration in power. There is less competition in the market, less voice for the worker, less say for the consumer, less ability to regulate and protect, and all of this is solely for the express purpose of concentrating more wealth in the hands of the elite at the heads of these corporations. In the food systems they’ve designed farmers only get an average of 15 cents for every dollar, and this was as low as $0.08 per dollar as recently as two years ago. We should point out how ruthlessly efficient these companies are. As another indicator of their monopoly, these companies reported record-breaking profits during the pandemic. The profit margins for top meat companies like Tyson Foods were up over 300%, with Tyson earning $1.36 billion in 2021’s fourth quarter, over twice as much as the year prior. In the United States, Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve, even commented on this saying companies are “raising prices because they can”. It’s laid out in the open, but what is there for us to do as a consumer? I want to feel good about the food I purchase and nourish my body with, but these reports have highlighted that a majority of options at the supermarket will help line the pockets of billionaires that carelessly exploit the people in our communities. #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #sustainable #foodsystems #foodsystem #foodjustice
I've constantly worried about my survival and care I've constantly worried about my survival and career in this space. The truth is that I've been living in the state of the future without giving myself the grace of what has been crystalizing underground. The stories told to me were always centered on success but never on the horrors that led us to burnout. A friend once told me when I would live in the now. Reflecting, I realized why it hurt me so much. It was because, as someone who had grown up in an environment where I was forced to think about the future, I neglected the probability of what I could currently do in my capacity. I don't know if I'll ever build generational wealth, but I think ecological wealth is where my mind is now. Not me, not for my family, but the collective well-being of all multi-species. Every day when we are faced with crises deeply embedded in the system we operate in, I don't want to say how this can get better in the future but rather what can I do now that will ensure my safety and health without giving myself expectations of the future. Probability can be interpreted as a logical and emotional statement, and I think planning and knowing what you can do currently should be balanced. I've lived my life unable to control situations I thought I had planned for and for what it's worth, there are some painful lessons. I read a quote that resonated with me that we can no longer change things for what they are but accept them for what it is when it comes to specific issues. Moving my environmental work to be more centered on some logic and emotion gives me more self-reassurance that I know I want to exist in a way that gives me grace. Do well and love better. #selflove #selflovequotes #selflovejourney❤️ #selflovejourney #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #sustainable #sustainableliving #slowliving #ethicality #ethicalstyle #mentalhealthawareness
Vegan Photo dump in London. Featuring one of my fa Vegan Photo dump in London. Featuring one of my favorite cafes called @we_are_vegan_everything known as Wave in Hackney. I’m beyond words with this cafe not only is the atmosphere 10/10 but their food is mesmerizing. 🫖 one of the biggest issues I have is recording photos of where I’m eating at because most of the times I’m hungry and don’t want to invest in time trying to take an aesthetic picture. I’ve been slowly building my list of Vegan places in London and thanks to everyone on here who continues to recommend places! I’ll definitely be back in London again for work and will be looking for new friends to go out to eat with and show me around London! #veganfood #veganism #wavecafe #wavecafé🌊☕️ #queerbrownvegan #plantbasedcafe #plantbasedfood #plantbasedfoods #veganlife #vegandinner #veganfoodie #veganbreakfast
Like a tree that seeks to exhale. As the soil tell Like a tree that seeks to exhale. As the soil tells me stories beneath the skin. My heart is you. I didn’t know what could become until I listened to you. Sat down and washed my tears to only know you’ve always been alongside my journey. I open my wound and saw you in my ancient dream. For what reverence I have lost, I seek to learn from you. This accessory is made by the Indigenous community of Yawanawá, who have lived in harmony with the Amazon rainforest for centuries. The collaboration between @bottletopofficial showcases artisans using açaí seeds. Their aim is to generate funds to build a permanent rainforest workshop and atelier which would create long term employment opportunities for the community whilst preserving and developing their artisanal craft. This in turn would allow the Yawanawá to continue their critical work in protecting the rainforest. Thank you to @togetherbandofficial for reaching out to me to promote the Yawa Band. Photographer: @rachel_faller from @tonledesign #yawanawa #togetherband #sustainability #queerbrownvegan #ecofriendlyliving #upcycle #upcycling
What is food privilege? This past week in London, What is food privilege? This past week in London, I joined @supportandfeed at their first ever @overheated event. It was a privilege to be able to speak on a panel alongside with @maggiembaird and moderated by @robbie_lockie on why food privilege matters in discourses around sustainable diets. My whole life I never had access to fresh foods and vegetables. My parents were on food stamps and we would go to local charities, churches, and food banks to retrieve food. Many of the food they gave us was rarely fresh. It was often processed foods that were not nutritious. I spent a majority of my life eating produce from the 99cent store and asking why my community never had access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The displacement of local knowledge has led us to question how can we cultivate hope and power through our relationships with land. I’ve found that foraging is an act of ecological reverence and the amount of fruit trees across public city areas should be a source for everyone locally. Watch the Overheated video on YouTube to see the full discussion! Link in my stories 🌱🌎📕 @youtube Photographer 📷 : @zoesherphotography #overheated #overheatedcantbedefeated #maggiebaird #billieelish #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #sustainable #plantbased #plantbaseddiet #plantbasedfoods #plantbasedvegan #plantbasedcooking #vegan #veganism #ethicalvegan #ethicalveganism
A change in heart is a negotiation between chaos a A change in heart is a negotiation between chaos and stability. How can we grow from bitter situations that hurt us while unlearning and relearning a new set of practices that allow for power and pain to co exist? Over the last few years I’ve been reflecting in how I was always fixated on letting go but never taking time to truly accept that the harm was done. It was like my healing journey was focused on the end point rather than the stages of confusion, despair, and feeling helpless. Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons because I see it as a rebirth season for myself, a place where I’m able to look back at the resilient work I’ve done to myself instead of re traumatizing myself of the things that have happened in my life. I’ve been reclaiming my power and pain that has taken a toll on my health and mind. I love to decenter thoughts of ambiguity and self hatred and recenter values of self abundance and revitalization. Instability is constantly happening to us but sometimes we find ourselves in those moments of chaos where our hearts are pressed to the limit. I want everyone to know that taking your time to feel hurt is okay, even if it takes years or a lifelong journey to discover that pain you’ve felt. As always, let your heart be driven by your raw feelings, not with what others expect from you based on their illusion. Find your true heart in the chasm where no one else can go. #queerbrownvegan #sustainable #sustainability #pride2022 #pride🌈 #lgbtpride #lgbtcommunity #lgbt🌈 #lgbtq🌈
I've always been told I have an old soul, but what I've always been told I have an old soul, but what does that mean? I have been interrogating my heart and asking what I want to do in life, is it slow living while also having local impact with communities. Our biosystem is made up of living and the non-living things around us. In Cambodia, I was challenged when I packed my suitcase with limited pieces of clothing and decided to celebrate a minimal wardrobe lifestyle. I had removed accessories from my outfit styles a few years ago because I felt that I wanted to find pieces that I truly felt connected to and made me feel that I'm making a shift in my relationship with the clothing I wore. When @maliadesignsfairtrade reached out to me to try some of their upcycled bags made out materials that would have been sent to landfill, it made me recognize how much materials can be diverted if invested into a circular system. Not only that but many countries in Asia are dumping grounds for the Global North to send their plastic waste, which then they get blamed for having high levels of plastic. Their blue fish bag matched my outfit as someone who loves the color blue because it represents calmness, solidarity, and exploration. This bag is stylish and you probably have seen it around in my stories because I'm truly obsessed with it! Tell us more about the brand! I support small owned fashion brands, like Malia Designs for their continued dedication to support local economies in Cambodia. Malia Design's products are made by fair trade producer groups that employ underprivileged people in Cambodia like women and disabled people. Their frequent usage of recycled materials also uses a fair trade production model to ensure it meets standard. They even extend themselves to donating to other non profit organizations fighting trafficking in Cambodia & the United States. Have you ever used an upcycled bag made out of excess materials that were going to be sent to landfills? Let me know! PC: @rachel_faller of @tonledesign #upcycle #upcycling #upcycledclothing #upcycler #sustainability #sustainablebusiness #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyliving #ecofriendlyhome
Had the pleasure to attend and speak at @green4ema Had the pleasure to attend and speak at @green4ema 2022 Impact Summit. I spoke on the panel of Ethical Climate Storytelling moderated by @wawa_gatheru , including panelists @mayasideas , @browngirl_green . This is a dream team right here 🌈📕🌎 For me, ethical climate storytelling focuses on the raw oppression of the individual, community, and multi species of living systems in Earth. It seeks to move beyond the trauma savior narrative in which people are the crafters of the story rather than them having to repeat their past. This panel meant so much to me as it centered BIPOC voices and what we see as an equations, just future. Rejecting uniformity and accepting diversity means to accept our messy truths and appreciate our imperfect styles of work. It’s not about no one is talking about this but rather there must be resources allocated to young BIPOC environmentalists who are paving and leading the way on climate storytelling. #impactsummit #environmentalmediaassociation #queerbrownvegan #sustainable #sustainability #climatechange #climatecrisis #climateaction
Full video of @watchintheknow that I was featured Full video of @watchintheknow that I was featured in for Yahoo News. It can be nerve wrecking seeing the series of injustices that are constantly happening around the world. I have found myself attaching to the term localization, which for me is defined as the process of using sustainable amount of energy within your biosystem that does not negative impact you, the land, or your community. Many of us often think our work must continue to be scaleable to save or reach others but that is not always the case for everyone. For myself, I want to be here in the long run by taking time to slow down and listen to what I am able to do in my community! Check out more In The Know: Climate Changemakers 👉 bit.ly/3hXgfh5 #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #ecoeducation #ecoeducator #environmentalscience #environmentalist
Did you know Los Angeles remains the largest urban Did you know Los Angeles remains the largest urban oil field in the United States? There are many environmental heroes across the world fighting for an equitable, just world. The unsung tales of environmentalists across the world have constantly empowered me to continue creating education for everyone on this platform. Environmental justice is personal to me because I grew up in Los Angeles, California where I was exposed to a series of toxic pollutants in my neighborhood. One such environmentalist that continues to inspire me is my friend Nalleli Cobo (@nallelicobo), who is a climate justice youth activist fighting against environmental racism in Los Angeles. She has successfully paved the way for many community members to find their voice in the environmental movement. At the age of 19, in March 2020, Nalleli Cobo led a coalition to permanently shut down a toxic oil drilling site in her community that caused serious health issues for her and others. Her continued efforts against urban oil extraction have now yielded major policy movement within both the Los Angeles City Council and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which voted unanimously to ban new oil exploration and phase-out existing sites. Community actions are one of the ways that movements continue to grow and flourish in the midst of the climate crisis. Nalleli is just one of the several winners who was recently awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize. I've teamed up with @goldmanprize to announce the 2022 Goldman Prize winners. Swipe right to see all the heroes. The winners are: Nalleli Cobo Chima Williams Niwat Roykaew Marjan Minnesma Alex Lucitante (@alexlucitante_) & Alexandra Narvaez (@alexandra.narvaez.oficial)  Julien Vincent Make sure to catch up on the 33rd annual @goldmanprize ceremony, below! Honoring grassroots environmental leaders, the 2022 #GoldmanPrize celebrates the power of our generation to restore the planet. #reGenerationNow #GoldmanPrize
My Cambodia 🇰🇭 trip has come to an end and I My Cambodia 🇰🇭 trip has come to an end and I’m so thankful to have been able to visit and experience the cultural landscapes this land has to offer to its people and animals. One of my goals for 2022 was to be able to start working internationally as I’ve often felt that I never wanted to move to places but rather visit if my work aligned with the stars. I arrived today in the Philippines 🇵🇭(for a mini vacation) and excited to share with you all my other half trips here in Asia. For those who may not know, I’ve worked with @tonledesign this season to get to know more about them and how they are continuously emphasizing the importance of people power in fashion systems. Over the last two weeks, I was working from 8AM-6PM to shoot multiple videos across Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. I’m currently working on a long-term video project so hopefully I’ll be able to share more details in the future. Some of the highlights I’ve learned in Cambodia Tuk-Tuk micro transportation: During my time here I only took one Uber once and used public transportation. I always recommend sitting on the opposite side of where you would usually sit to avoid dust, sand, and other objects from flying into your eyes I learned some words in Khmer, (the dominant language in that region as there are many other languages in Cambodia). ‘Akun’ = Thank you, ‘Suostei’ = Hello, ‘Ba’ = Yes Durian: I personally loved Durian, a lot of people said they liked it or hated it. I do not like the smell personally but the taste of it is so delicious and creamy. I personally am a hardcore lover of Durian Buddhism in Cambodia: There is a large population of people who practice Buddhism here and I had the privilege to be able to enter some temples and pray alongside other families who kindly invited me to join them. Fungi: In such a humid environment, it was 90 degree + with severe humidity that there were many mushrooms growing. While I personally did not forage on the land, I hope in the future to be able to do so. It was fun identifying some mushrooms Anyways, stay tuned for more stories as I try to rest during this trip! #queerbrownvegan
There is no [absolute] ethical way to earn money a There is no [absolute] ethical way to earn money as an environmentalist. Perhaps there is one that is least exploitative within the capitalistic structure we operate in that centers on redistribution. As a young environmental professional, I have struggled within these statements. More than ever, I’ve seen the increased amounts of disagreements of people critiquing those posting ads and it makes me wonder, how can we build systems outside of these digital spaces? As I sit with my contradictions as an environmentalist, I have been wanting to be clear and transparent with my community on how sponsored ads allow me to continue supporting my career and family. One of my mentors left me a word of wisdom is that when you invest in a BIPOC, you not only invest in themselves but in their communities. What is a sustainable career? My newest YouTube video discusses some of the issues I’ve faced in the sustainability space. Photo: @mostafaproductions #queerbrownvegan #climatescience #climatescientist #environmentalscience #environmentallyfriendly
Interrogate the dominant class systems that attemp Interrogate the dominant class systems that attempt to disempower the working class and poor communities of color. It is simply untrue that working-class and poor people of color don't care about the environment. There is a clear asyemticral power imbalance within movements that have often attempted to sever the relationships and rich histories communities have / actively continue doing to ensure the survival of communities. Many unsung environmental heroes continue to motivate me in today's work. The series of recent events in America is yet again a stark reminder we must dismantle white supremacy in the environmental movement. Dismantling white supremacy is environmentalism.  It honestly breaks my heart whenever I talk to younger environmentalists of color who come from poverty / working-class backgrounds telling me that they don't see themselves or / see their community as environmentalists when I remind them that their continued existence is environmentalism. We have often been indoctrinated to believe that prescribing ourselves with dominant green values is the only way to practice environmentalism. What is seen as poor and who is seen as heroes for taking the same action? I get frustrated sometimes when I hear these racist myths being perpetuated and shown to communities of color when they are actively being disempowered by the existing structure we operate in as a society. Most specifically, Black & Indigenous communities constantly face the highest rates of violence. Time after time, there is almost an urgency to learn and to express but no time to reflect and unlearn. #queerbrownvegan #climatescience #environmentaljustice
Cambodia 🇰🇭 Part 2 Photo Dump Trip with @bro Cambodia 🇰🇭 Part 2 Photo Dump Trip with @browngirl_green / @tonledesign it’s Jackfruit Season over here! These giant large fruits are so delicious and today I was able to distinguish the difference between a durian and jackfruit. One interesting fact is that many places ban durian on trains, hotels, or public spaces because of the smell 👃 😮 Yesterday during filming we headed over to learn more about Tonlé dying processes for their collections they made! Making natural dye is used in many Cambodian cultures and we went to the local market to make yellow dye using just some raw materials from the market (salt like crystal, and turmeric). Last slide is we went to a local textile warehouse that resells fabric that is sold from other large manufacturing industries to them. The last few days I’ve been filming for this project but have been able to meet so many Cambodian creatives changing the landscape here in Phenom Penh. I can’t wait to share more in the future what we are working on but until then I hope you enjoy these photos! #travelcambodia #cambodia🇰🇭 #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #jackfruit #durian #fashionforeveryone #ethicalfashionbrand #sustainablefuture
Proud to announce my release feature in Yahoo News Proud to announce my release feature in Yahoo News for their series @watchintheknow . I created QueerBrownVegan from scratch back in 2019 after wanting to talk about equitable forms of environmental education through a local lens. Since 2019, I’ve had to do internal reflections on this platform and how I want to be able to continue focus on building community as I’ve become more occupied with other work related projects. My main energy will always go to the people and the communities I serve. Check out more In The Know: Climate Changemakers 👉 bit.ly/3hXgfh5 #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #ecoeducation #ecoeducator #environmentalscience #environmentalist
Photo dump in Cambodia 🇰🇭 pictures include d Photo dump in Cambodia 🇰🇭 pictures include dried market goods, trying out different fruits like Durian, Rambutan, and Mangosteen! #cambodia #cambodiatravel #cambodiatrip #cambodian #cambodia🇰🇭 #cambodianfood #queerbrownvegan
NEW YT VIDEO is now live 💕 🌍📕 How do we s NEW YT VIDEO is now live 💕 🌍📕 How do we sustainably love ourselves during times of crisis in movements? For many of us, it almost seems impossible to share our raw oppression with the greater world in what makes us imperfect beings because the system we live in today is set us up for perfection. I personally feel that this community has allowed me to grow in different ways of my life and I’ve been able to share vulnerable moments with you all during my own issues in life. For my recent YouTube video I go through some of my recent hardships in which I have dealt with over the past few months. Take note that these videos were recorded back in December so time has passed by then since! Hope you enjoy! Sustainably loving yourself means creating a circular relationship with the Earth, community, and self. Fostering passion to make the world a better place while unlearning perfectionist values. #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #sustainableliving #ethicalliving #sustainable #slowliving #slowlife #lowwaste #lowwasteliving
Some major life updates + content news! I'm leavin Some major life updates + content news! I'm leaving today for Cambodia for almost a month with @tonledesign and will spend the other half of my trip in the Phillippines. In June, I'll be in London for two weeks with @supportandfeed for their latest collaboration with @overheated to talk about climate issues. In early June I’ll be attending the @green4ema conference from June 2-3! So I’ll be in LA for a few days! Here are some content updates! 1.) My recent podcast with @pojo for @buyongalaxy , photos by @geoffhaggray 2.) my brand redesign will be launching in June! I’ve been working on this redesign for the past year! 3.) I’m working on new YouTube videos that will look into featuring sustainable jobs and what people do on their daily basis! Anyways, I’ll be a bit inactive this month to reset but stay tuned for future series! #queerbrownvegan #sustainability #ecofriendlyliving
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