“Empowering Girls of Color: A Detroit Advocate’s Mission to Champion Climate Leadership” | Yale Climate Connections

Diamond Spratling discovered her love for environmental activism early in life. Watching TV, she was alarmed by images of melting ice sheets and thought, “I have to save the polar bears!” As she grew up, her concerns expanded to pollution in her hometown, Detroit.

While studying environmental issues, she noticed a lack of representation among people of color. This motivated her to create the nonprofit Girl Plus Environment, which empowers women and girls of color to engage in environmental advocacy.

As part of her mission, she wrote Sage Sails the World: A Little Girl’s Journey Across the Arctic. The story follows a young Black girl named Sage, who witnesses climate change’s impact on polar bears and decides to take action. Spratling hopes the book will inspire children to consider careers in environmental science or activism.

According to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center, 73% of teens are worried about climate change, highlighting the importance of engaging younger generations. With voices like Spratling’s leading the way, we may see a new wave of climate advocates from diverse backgrounds.

Spratling believes now is the perfect time to inspire youth to take action. She reflects on how children today express aspirations to be doctors, teachers, or even climate scientists. By reaching out to girls of color, her work aims to ensure that all communities have a stake in the climate conversation.

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