As we celebrate Black History Month at the Toyota Green Initiative, we must ask ourselves, “How do we relate to the environment?”

For African Americans, this is an opportunity to reflect on the unique relationship that we have with environmental issues. Black communities have been influenced by their environment in significant ways. For instance, African Americans tend to live closer to urban areas where power plants are located, and are therefore disproportionally affected by power plant emissions according to the study, Air of Injustice.

By taking control of the way that we live and encouraging responsibility for our surroundings–from acting as stewards for a healthy earth, to promoting health and the elimination of pollution in our communities–we can be active participants in improving our world.

Now is the best time in the history of African-Americans to make the commitment to being leaders in environmental responsibility. TGI was designed to educate and promote the principles of a sustainable, environmentally responsible way of life to the future leaders of the black community–the students and alumni of HBCUs. Read the full story at Toyota Green Initiative.