Discover Isaias Hernandez’s Inspiring Journey as Queer Brown Vegan: Exclusive Climate Week Wishlist Inside!

During NYC Climate Week 2025, Isaias Hernandez, also known as Queer Brown Vegan, is gaining attention for his work on climate issues, particularly for marginalized communities. Raised in a low-income family in Los Angeles, Hernandez blends climate education with personal identity, reaching over 182,000 followers. His YouTube series, Teaching Climate Together, features interviews with environmental experts against scenic backdrops like Joshua Tree.

Hernandez credits PBS programs like Bill Nye the Science Guy for inspiring him to teach others about climate change. His upcoming book, Dear Environmentalist, is set for release in April 2027.

Growing up in a Los Angeles apartment near factories, Hernandez learned to appreciate nature in small ways. His mother grew tomatoes and peppers on their windowsills, and weekends were often spent exploring local parks. He recalls moments of joy foraging for wild mushrooms, a risky yet thrilling childhood discovery. “Those experiences shaped my love for the environment,” he says.

Hernandez also reflects on the loss of community trees that were cut down as neighborhoods changed. This emotional experience introduced him to the concept of “solastalgia,” the sadness felt when one’s environment is altered. He longs for the days when he could walk to school past peach and avocado trees, dreaming of planting his own fruit tree someday.

His environmental education began early, assisting his father with landscaping work, learning about plant care that would later fuel his passion for sustainability. At UC Berkeley, he studied environmental science and later found himself at a sustainability conference in NYC, where he was encouraged to share his climate journey on social media. This sparked the creation of Queer Brown Vegan.

“I wanted to highlight diverse narratives in environmentalism,” Hernandez explains. He aims to challenge biases and expand the environmentalist movement by sharing voices often overlooked in mainstream discussions. He emphasizes that environmental issues affect everyone, especially marginalized groups who often lack access to clean resources.

One highlight of Hernandez’s work is his collaboration with brands that focus on sustainability. Last year, he partnered with Ecos, a company that makes green cleaning products, to create a storytelling project titled Sustainable Jobs. This project reimagined the well-known show Dirty Jobs by showcasing the clean industry and emphasizing the importance of non-toxic products.

Amid the climate discourse, Hernandez also points to the role of media in shaping perceptions about environmental issues. With younger generations turning to social platforms for news, he stresses the importance of adapting educational content to these platforms. According to a recent survey, over 50% of U.S. teens prefer getting their news from social media rather than traditional media outlets. This shift necessitates investment in creating responsible content that informs and inspires.

As for the future, Hernandez invites discussions on how technologies like AI impact the environment. Data centers, for example, consume vast amounts of energy and water, raising awareness about the hidden costs of our digital habits. With nearly 5,400 data centers in the U.S. alone, it’s crucial to consider their effects on local communities and environments.

Today, Hernandez lives in a studio in L.A., nurturing a small indoor garden and enjoying interactions with buzzing hummingbirds on his balcony. Urban foraging remains a cherished activity. Many neighbors share the abundance from their fruit trees, allowing Hernandez to whip up fresh juices from the bounty.

“I find joy in simple acts of connection to nature,” he shares. “While I dream of living in a forest home one day, it’s heartwarming to see urban environments thrive with green life again.”

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