What Martin Luther King Taught Us About Environmental Justice

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

In honor of MLK Day this year, I wanted to share some quotes that challenge us to learn more about him that excerpts from his most famous speeches. Honoring him in the midst of catastrophic disasters and an existential climate crisis warrants a look at some of his thoughts about the connections between social justice and justice for the Earth. Although he died before the modern climate and environmental justice movements took shape, their beginnings impacted his thinking and vice versa. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, two years after his death.

Here are ten quotes from Dr. King to consider:

1. “It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
2. “We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.”
3. “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
4. “We must rapidly begin the shift from a ‘thing-oriented’ society to a ‘person-oriented’ society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”
5. “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.”
6. “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
7. “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
8. “We aren’t going to have peace on Earth until we recognize the basic fact of the interrelated structure of all reality.”
9. Dr. King also highlighted the injustice of the degraded environment when he said: “cities are gasping in polluted air and enduring contaminated water.” And by writing, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” in his Letter from Birmingham Jail written on April 16, 1963.”
10. “From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire, let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring. But not only that: Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.”

As we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy this MLK Day, it’s essential to move beyond the familiar quotes and surface-level tributes that often circulate on social media. Instead, let us honor his profound insights by engaging deeply with his writings, speeches, and the historical context of his work. Dr. King’s teachings remind us that justice, whether social, economic, or environmental, is intricately interconnected — and that true change begins when we allow these lessons to inspire action in our own lives.

By immersing ourselves in the wisdom of leaders like Dr. King, we can move away from performative gestures and toward meaningful reflection and growth. This approach not only respects their legacy but also empowers us to channel their insights into transformative behaviors and perspectives. This MLK Day, take the opportunity to go deeper. Read, learn, and let the wisdom of the past guide your path toward creating a more just and compassionate future.