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Since 2009, Cuisine Noir has been a pioneer in celebrating the rich culinary traditions of the African diaspora. Now, we’re expanding that focus to address the urgent realities of climate change, globalization climate change, and the large-scale effect on communities, land and agriculture.
Climate Change and Globalization Climate Change
When discussing climate change, it’s crucial to define it clearly. According to the United Nations, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns on Earth.
“Climate change isn’t inherently bad when it happens gradually over many centuries, typically due to unpreventable and infrequent natural disasters, as has historically been the case,” says Maya Stansberry.
“Today’s experience of climate change is very different from that of several thousand years ago, and the concern and difference are due to the rapid pace that our climate has been changing within the past century or so. It’s that rapid rate that has prompted environmental activists and Indigenous people to sound the alarm for the past several decades to prevent the current climate crisis we’re now facing. This crisis, felt worldwide to varying degrees, is very much connected to globalization.”
Globalization climate change refers to the global interconnectedness of climate impacts, meaning actions like deforestation or industrial emissions in one region can trigger worldwide effects, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, and agricultural shifts, the latter a subject Stansberry is well versed in.
Stansberry is a Black urban farmer, foodways educator, and founder of Deep Routes, an educational project that supports the food culture and traditions of African and Indigenous diasporas.
She is a sustainable farming practitioner with experience in small-scale operations, focusing on regenerative practices and supporting farmers in their transition to sustainability.
“Much of my work focuses on uplifting the stories and knowledge of African and Indigenous diasporas. Additionally, it’s important to provide people with the resources to not only reconnect with the land and their foodways but also to have better tools in connecting the dots of a very complex and confusing food system, which is by design meant to disconnect people from caring about, much less understanding food and ecological systems.”
Effects on Communities
In the past, human activity has had a minimal effect on the rate of climate change, but that has significantly changed. This is also a result of globalization climate change, enabled by those in power, leading to widespread environmental damage.
“The current climate crisis is primarily caused by human activities driven by corporate industrialization and exploitation of land and labor for profit,” says Stansberry. “The rapid global spread of climate change over the past almost 200 years has resulted from prioritizing economic growth over environmental sustainability, leading to widespread environmental damage.”
Globalization climate change has displaced many Indigenous people across regions in Africa, Asia, and The Americas for centuries, causing a loss and suppression of traditional knowledge and agricultural practices.
Stansberry stresses the importance of land and food connections for health, particularly mental health. “Losing this connection, often due to lack of access to quality food or opportunities to connect with nature, can contribute to stress and health issues,” she explains.
Reconnecting with traditional practices and beliefs, even in a modern context, can help heal and foster a greater appreciation for the environment. “This is especially important for marginalized communities, where we often have the worst health outcomes. The singular narrative of marginalized communities being predisposed to not caring about the environment is untrue; it’s about being disconnected from the land we’ve been stolen from and exploited on,” she says.
“Globalization climate change only widens that gap, making it harder to reconnect. But when we can lean into traditional knowledge of land stewardship, we can better understand what the land asks of us and how to live in harmony instead of fighting against it.”
The Need for Black Narratives
Stansberry states that globalization climate change and natural disasters disproportionately impact Black and brown communities. “Historically, these communities have often been pushed into marginalized areas,” she says.
“Making them more vulnerable to the effects of climate-related events. It is crucial to amplify their voices and provide education and resources that are accessible, especially when it comes to food and land. Especially since the education about food and agriculture is typically from a very European standpoint.”
She goes on to say when traditional knowledge is disregarded or suppressed, it creates a challenging environment for marginalized farmers who are trying to revive and rebuild their land using traditional practices.
“This can be particularly difficult if they’ve been exposed to a mindset of farming that focuses on exploitation rather than understanding the land. Such a disconnect can lead to frustration as they navigate the challenges of farming with sustainable practices.”
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Globalization Climate Change Solutions
Stansberry emphasizes the importance of language diversity in climate conversations. “Indigenous people, whether in the Americas or African countries, have been saying what they need for centuries. Yet, they’ve faced loss, exploitation and violence at the hands of large corporations and governments. Including these voices, especially those who don’t speak English is crucial. These individuals are keepers of vast knowledge and know what’s truly needed. Language justice is a key part of this.”
Stansberry also advocates for supporting Black and Indigenous farmers who practice regenerative agriculture, which involves sustainable farming methods like adaptive grazing, no – till planting, and reduced use of harmful chemicals.
“But please adjust your expectations,” she says, “Conventional farmers often argue that regenerative farming produces less yield. In some cases, yes, but it’s farming designed for long-term sustainability. While organic farming may use fewer chemicals, it doesn’t guarantee sustainable practices. Industrial organic farms may still exploit labor and prioritize profit over the well-being of workers and the land. True regenerative agriculture requires a focus on both people and the environment.”
Support Deep Routes and follow them on Instagram. Support Black and Indigenous farmers on the Black Farmers Index and Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust and get involved in doing your part to lessen the harmful impacts of globalization climate change.
