How 7 Principles Of Kwanzaa Lay Out A Climate Action Plan

December 26 is the start of Kwanzaa. Unlike Christmas and Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is not based on religious observations. It was created by Dr. Maulan Karenga in 1966 as a week-long celebration of African and African American culture. At a time when the country was transitioning from segregation and racial tensions, Karenga created Kwanzaa to strengthen cultural connections of African Americans. While my family is aware of Kwanzaa, we have not really celebrated it. However, this year my curiosity got the best of me. As an atmospheric scientist, I wondered how the seven core principles of Kwanzaa might relate to climate change action and our communities.

According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture website, “Kwanzaa is based on seven core principles known as the Nguzo Saba, which include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.” In a typical observance, every day of Kwanzaa is a reflection on the principles and community engagement. Through that lens, I decided to think about climate action.

Kwanzaa is derived from a Swahili phrase, “Matunda ya kwanza.” It also has roots in first fruit celebrations associated with past and modern cultures on the continent of Africa. From a climate change standpoint, the entire planet is at risk from rising temperatures, extreme weather, sea level rise, declining agricultural yields, water supply stress, disease, and security issues.

Africa is particularly vulnerable. According to the World Meteorological Organization, “By 2030, it is estimated that up to 118 million extremely poor people (living on less than US$ 1.90 per day) will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa, if adequate response measures are not put in place.” Ironically, the continent produces only 4% of global carbon emissions.

Let’s frame each Kwanzaa principle from the lens of climate change or action.

Umoja (Unity)

There’s no Planet B. If we destroy our home or apartment, there is another habitable place somewhere. That’s not the case for Earth. The concept of Umoja (Unity) is critical as we address realities of climate change. Every single person, industry, and crop is being impacted by some facet of climate change, and it will take unified actions to address them.

The Conference of Parties is a United Nations entity that meets periodically to frame climate solutions. Whether we are talking about mitigation of carbon dioxide or adaptation to inevitable hazards, unity will be critical for protecting our shared space in the solar system. When you look at Earth from space, there are no borders, countries delineations, or differentiating distinctions for humankind. It’s simply the planet we call home.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Self-determination is rooted in the idea of resiliency and self-sustaining practices. When asked about climate action individuals can take, I encourage people to be aware of their personal carbon footprints by conducting an audit to see how your food, transportation, and other activities impact emissions. During COVID, I started a vegetable garden to grow some of my food locally. We also experimented with composting our food waste to minimize methane formation in landfills. Methane is an even more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. A study by Drawdown Georgia found that transportation activities are significant contributors to carbon emissions. Are there things that you can do to reduce your contributions?

It is probably a good time to assess your extreme weather risk too. Here are some questions that you should consider:

• Do you live in a flood zone?
• If so, do you have flood insurance?
• Are you prepared for a generation of stronger hurricanes at the coast or inland?
• Do you have a night plan for severe weather season?
• Do you modify outdoor activities during extreme heat?
• What’s the wildfire risk where you live?

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

The official Kwanzaa website noted, “The third principle is Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) which is a commitment to active and informed togetherness on matters of common interest.” We always encouraged our kids to be engaged in their personal ecosystems rather than passively moving through it. This applies to climate action too. Planet Earth does not know or care about your political preferences, however, it is important to be climate-attentive as you consider policies at the local, state, and national levels. While many climate narratives focus on things like the Paris Agreement and the global climate reports, there are a host of neighborhood issues and local policies.

It will take years of transformational global action to put the brakes on the climate change train speeding down the tracks, however, a neighborhood or town can cool itself through thoughtful greenscaping or highly-reflective surfaces. As a member of its Sustainability Commission, I recently observed how Gwinnett County is using permeable concrete to reduce flooding outside some of its municipal buildings. The solution sets for climate change can always start with individual or local actions.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Individual action often leads to collective approaches. Removing any political narratives around Ujamaa, I draw from it the need to be supportive of community and economic empowerment. My wife and I grew up in Georgia. I was in a rural community, and she was in Atlanta. What’s common to both environments are fixtures of those communities that were about collective well-being or economic sustainability. My wife always told stories of the Candy Lady in southwest Atlanta, and I grew up watching my grandfather run one of the few African American businesses in Canton, Georgia at the time. Faith organizations and churches were also staples of these communities.

In my scholarly work, I have examined climate vulnerability and extreme weather risk. There are three components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. If a hurricane moves through a community, everyone is exposed to winds, rain, storm surge, and tornadoes. However, certain communities have greater sensitivity and less adaptive capacity because of their economic situation. Irrespective of culture or race, I have seen church or civic groups rally to increase the adaptive capacity of communities.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa and its devastation in Jamaica, members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. worked to deliver critical medical supplies to islanders affected by the storm. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has a standing disaster relief fund. The NAACP hosts a national disaster relief resource page with important information. We’ll need more of that going forward as a generation of extreme hazards like Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Melissa, California wildfires, and Texas Hill Country Flooding looms.

Nia (Purpose)

Nia is really a statement about activation for purpose. If you see a need for a greenspace that could cool down a community park or a new bus route to a community garden, explore ways to make that happen. You would be surprised at how acting with purpose can help your community and give you a sense of pride. While there are many websites like this, a 2024 Stanford Report provides 8 simple things that you can do for sustainability or climate action. The EPA website also has some helpful suggestions.

Kuumba (Creativity)

Kuumba is rooted in ideas of leaving communities in a better state than you found them through creativity, innovation, and art. To fight climate change, we know what needs to be done. We just have to commit to the solutions on multiple fronts. Many of these solutions are innovative and enhance communities. For example, did you know that traffic roundabouts can help reduce idling carbon emissions and pollution. They are popping up everywhere in Georgia, and I am here for it.

I love walking in the parks and seeing the vibrancy of community gardens emerging. Greenways, like the Atlanta Beltline, get cars off the roads but also create economic hubs and a sense of community. However, we must find ways to do these things without using climate gentrification which exploits or displaces other communities.

Imani (Faith)

The scripture that I read talks about good stewardship of the Earth. It also affirms that we have some level of responsibility for our environment. When I speak to faith groups, I remind them that reducing pollution, fighting climate change or concern for vulnerable communities is not blasphemy. In fact, it is consistent with our faith teachings. I challenge your faith-based organization to establish an environmental or sustainability action plan for your congregation and the community that you serve. Imani provides the faith-based underpinnings for the entire week of Kwanzaa and starts the new year with a renewed sense of energy.

What’s great about this time of year is that we can celebrate and reflect on the origins, richness, and principles of different cultures and faiths. I celebrate Christmas but also cherish and honor those who participate in different traditions. Mutual respect for individuals and community is so much more enlightening (and less stressful) than fear or hate. It makes living on Earth better. Let’s use principles of Kwanzaa and other traditions to make the planet better too.