Keep it in the Ground

Program Description

Fossil fuel infrastructure wreaks havoc on Black frontline communities, from severe health impacts to environmental devastation. And yet, the fossil fuel industry stays strong, using duplicitous techniques to deny the reality of the impacts and to divert communities from pursuing true solutions. A different future is possible, and Black communities are at the forefront of making that change. The Keep it in the Ground program exposes the harsh truths through a lens of Black Liberation, while providing participants with the tools to advocate for a shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative one, highlighting the necessity not just of reducing carbon emissions, but also transforming societies, ecosystems, and economies to center justice and community wellbeing. Participants will delve into the severe health and environmental consequences of fossil fuel extraction and consumption and learn actionable solutions to drive transformation.

Program Objectives

The objectives below outline the core knowledge, skills, and capacities participants will build through this program. At the conclusion of the certification program participants will be able to:

• Understand the geological formation and extraction methods of fossil fuels.
• Analyze the environmental impact of fossil fuel exploration, extraction, and consumption.
• Explore the global distribution and reserves of fossil fuels.
• Evaluate the economic implications and geopolitical factors related to fossil fuel dependency.
• Examine alternative energy sources and technologies as potential replacements for fossil fuels.
• Discuss policies and strategies aimed at mitigating the environmental and social impacts of fossil fuel use.
• Develop critical thinking skills to assess the future of fossil fuels in the context of sustainable energy transitions.
• Examine the relationship between fossil fuels proliferation, Black liberation and just transition.