Interview with Alicia Richins telling the story of her success in the environmental sector.
By: Shaniqua Mayers
“Every job is a climate job – Every project in a climate project – If we center ecological harmony it all intersects” – Alicia Richins
Black History Month is the pride and joy of cultural celebration and heritage for many in the black collective. During this time of reflection, we often look back on the historical changes, protests, practices, and positive advancements that Black people have contributed. But it is crucial to also redirect some of that focus to the present, so we can visualize the future that we can have by uplifting those who are working for a better today and tomorrow. As such, I would like to introduce Alicia Richins, founder of climate storytelling studio The ClimateVerse, through an interview about her experiences navigating the climate space.
Environmentalism is more than just protecting ecosystems—it’s about justice, equity, and fundamentally reimagining how we, as people, interact with the planet. Alicia Richins, an ecological economist and climate justice advocate, has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and social equity. From her academic roots in economics to her groundbreaking work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to founding The ClimateVerse, Alicia’s journey exemplifies the power of activating intersectional thinking in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
Alicia Richins’ journey into environmentalism was driven by a desire to understand the systems that shape the world. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from York University in Economics and Social studies and her master’s degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in planning. Her studies and work re-evaluate the relationship between sustainability and justice, and emphasize re-orienting economic systems to address ecological and social challenges. Alicia later went on to establish her consulting practice to align social and environmental frameworks with global goals, as well as to found FutureScapes, an e-zine featuring a global collective of arts.
From inspirations to challenges, Alicia shares her experiences as a leader in the climate action movement. “It’s harder trying to get funding from the climate space because my work is more about storytelling rather than tangible efforts, like building solar panels,” she explains. This focus on measurable outcomes shadows the importance of social responsibilities. “There is a lack of representation in the sector, it can be difficult to find people who look like me,” she says.
Noting the lack of access to resources that center Black voices. “Getting out of the mindset that the future is already set, and there is nothing that we can do about it,” she states. Despite these obstacles, Alicia remains committed to dismantling defeatist mindsets, emphasizing that the future is not set in stone and that change is possible.
Alicia’s Caribbean Canadian heritage is a point of pride as she builds a worldly network that brings the fight against a declining climate to a global scale. When discussing some black-identifying climate advocates that inspire her, Alicia highlights Derval Barzey, climate podcaster of Trinidadian descent, who currently resides in Guyana. Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist and co-founder of Urban OceanLab Think Tank, is among the many who inspire Alicia. As a futurist thinker, Alicia also recognizes Julius Lindsay, the director of sustainable communities at the David Suzuki Foundation. Dr. Ingrid Waldron of Mcmaster University has also been a close inspiration to Alicia, as the two have worked together and collaborated on climate change projects.
Alicia also discussed some of the gaps in the climate action movement, in bridging the gap between environmentalism and social justice. “There’s a history of the sector being dominated by rich, white philanthropists, there is a need for greater diversity in both the workforce and the work itself. I believe the sector must deepen its understanding of systemic issues, recognizing that capitalism and colonialism caused the environmental crisis, so we shouldn’t be replicating those systems in our work. I envision a world where environmentalism is a unifying force, capable of bringing together different sectors to tackle these challenges.
The environmental sector has a powerful opportunity to build deeper relationships and lead the way in dismantling these systems,” she explains. Knowing the past to form a new future.
As a futurist Alicia is not one to shy away from dreaming big for the future. She dreams of a future where humanity reimagines its systems to reflect our interconnectedness with nature. “I dream of a future where we’ve really rethought our systems of organizing, understanding that humans are a part of nature,” she says. Alicia believes this future must center both people and ecosystems, creating a world where harmony guides decision-making, sending the message that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to climate challenges.
To achieve this future, Alicia encourages collective action and a shift in perspective. “There is a role for everyone…Every job is a climate job. Every project is a climate project,” she says, reminding us that even those outside traditional environmental fields have a part to play. By centering environmental harmony in every action we take, Alicia believes we can foster an inclusive movement that inspires true and meaningful change.
As we honour Alicia Richins we encourage readers to familiarize themselves with a bit more of her work. Visit The ClimateVerse and check out the new e-zine at The ClimateVerse FutureScapes. You can also find her website at Alicia Richins and subscribe to The ClimateVerse Newsletter. We thank Alicia Richins for the continuous leadership she has shown in the environmental sector and for her diligent and hard work to advance the climate action movement.
The original article can be found on The Starfish website.
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