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Isaias Hernandez, the passionate environmental activist and educator behind the platform Queer Brown Vegan, shared his insights with Team Reblue in an exclusive interview for our ‘Nine Questions With’ series.

Isaias Hernandez, an environmental justice educator + activist from Los Angeles, CA and the force behind Queer Brown Vegan, is a passionate advocate for intersectional environmentalism. Growing up in a low-income immigrant family, he found his calling in nature and turned his passion into a platform that speaks to everyone. Through vibrant social media content, Isaias breaks down complex eco-issues while amplifying voices often left out of the conversation. With his unique blend of queer perspective, cultural insight, and environmental know-how, Isaias is reshaping what it means to be an activist in today's world, proving that diversity and sustainability go hand in hand!

Read excerpts from the exclusive interview below:

Team Reblue: Your journey with Queer Brown Vegan is truly inspiring. Can you walk us through the pivotal moments that led you to merge your identity with environmental advocacy? What experiences shaped your vision? 

Isaias Hernandez: Hi there, this is Isaias Hernandez. 

I started Queer Brown Vegan in late 2019 while working at a creative agency, far from the environmental field. Despite earning an environmental science degree from UC Berkeley, I struggled to find a job in the sector and turned to creative work. During this time, I explored how storytelling and science could merge to enhance environmental literacy. 

Growing up, I rarely saw Latino environmentalists in media or academia, and I wanted to change that.

My identity as a queer person of color was crucial in shaping Queer Brown Vegan. Growing up, I rarely saw Latino environmentalists in media or academia, and I wanted to change that. Latinos are significantly underrepresented in environmental fields, with less than 10% holding degrees in this area in the U.S. I realized that queer environmentalists are also deeply affected by the climate crisis and need a platform. 

The vegan aspect came later, as I adopted veganism in 2018 to redefine my relationship with food and species from an intersectional perspective. My experiences growing up in poverty in Los Angeles highlighted the need for accessible environmental education. I wanted to ensure that young people don’t feel excluded but see themselves as active participants in environmental change. 

Sustainability is a circular practice that many indigenous communities have long followed. With intersectionality in environmentalism, we’re examining the root systems that shape our current society. 

Team Reblue: You often highlight the importance of intersectionality and environmentalism. How do you believe that understanding the unique challenges faced by different communities can enhance our approach to sustainability? 

Isaias Hernandez: Sustainability is a circular practice that many indigenous communities have long followed. With intersectionality in environmentalism, we’re examining the root systems that shape our current society.Intersectionality helps us understand how history and systemic policies have influenced access to green spaces and resources. For example, environmental racism isn’t about nature being racist but about the policies that have segregated communities. Consider redlining in the U.S., where white communities collaborated with institutions to exclude marginalized groups from certain neighborhoods. This segregation led to higher environmental contamination in areas where people of color live. Applying intersectionality means recognizing and addressing these historical and systemic inequalities in our environmental work. 

Around 25% of people in the U.S. learn about climate issues through social media, highlighting a gap in equitable environmental education for younger audiences.

Team Reblue: In your work, you emphasize the importance of environmental education. What innovative methods have you found effective in engaging diverse audiences, especially those who may feel disconnected from environmental issues? 

Isaias Hernandez: For me, it’s about climate media. As journalist Amy Westervelt says, "fixing media is a climate solution." As a digital media creator, I extend conversations through long-form videos. 

Around 25% of people in the U.S. learn about climate issues through social media, highlighting a gap in equitable environmental education for younger audiences. To address this, digital creators must find new ways to democratize and localize climate media. My approach includes producing an independent web series called "Teaching Climate Together," which promotes environmental literacy by collaborating with scholars, grassroots leaders, and activists. The goal is not just to humanize narratives but to showcase solutions in action. 

Team Reblue: Is veganism is a core part of your advocacy. How do you connect the dots between plant based lifestyle and broader environmental justice? What message do you hope to convey to those who may be hesitant to make the switch?  

Isaias Hernandez: Veganism, for me, is about extending liberation. It connects to environmental justice through industrialized agriculture, rooted in colonization and labor exploitation. This system not only pollutes the planet but also poisons workers in these industries. 

For those hesitant to switch, I suggest reductionism—start by reducing meat consumption. Supporting local farmers' markets and co-ops helps build community power and makes a meaningful impact. 

One of the ways that I really embody sustainable practices is by taking public transportation.

Team Reblue:. Can you share some personal, sustainable practices you adopt in your daily life? How do these choices reflect your commitment to both environmental and social justice? 

Isaias Hernandez: I mean, I think for me, like, I grew up not having a license for nearly 27 years of my life. It's one of the things that my friends make fun of me for. I didn't get my license until I was 27.And one of the ways that I really embody sustainable practices is by taking public transportation. My whole life I've taken the bus. I lived in the Bay Area, took the Bus to San Francisco to work. I lived in New York City, took the train to work. A lot of times I really think about the ways in which we can. I think about the ways that we can travel more sustainably by reducing our dependence on car usage. 

Team Reblue: Storytelling plays a crucial role in your platform. How do you use narratives to foster community inspire action among your followers? 

Isaias Hernandez: I use storytelling in my YouTube series, Teaching Climate Together. For example, we had an episode on urban ecology in Los Angeles that focused on the LA River. Many people dismiss it as just a polluted site, but it’s much more than that. The episode highlighted the indigenous communities who have always protected this ecosystem, and explored how urban development has had both harmful and beneficial impacts—harming people in some ways but also contributing to economic growth. 

After releasing the episode, we organized an urban ecology hike along the LA River. It was amazing to see how many people felt a connection to the area after learning its history and significance. 

That’s the power of storytelling—it not only informs but also brings people together to take action in their communities. 

Team Reblue: As a climate influencer how do you see the role of social media evolving in the fight for environmental justice? What advice would you give to others looking to use their platforms for advocacy? 

Isaias Hernandez: As a climate influencer, I focus on redefining how we view our creative vision. It's easy to get caught up in numbers and metrics on our platforms, but for me, it’s not just about building a community to improve the world. 

I want people to realize they have the power to create meaningful impact in their own ways and shape their own world. 

Team Reblue: With technology advancing rapidly, how do you envision leveraging artificial intelligence to support sustainability efforts? Are there particular projects or initiatives exciting in this area? 

Isaias Hernandez: I don't really know much about artificial intelligence, other than I think it's a technology that's going to stick around. I'm interested in seeing how AI can be used to reduce environmental emissions for corporations. But I know AI's environmental impact is already high, so I'm wondering what'll be the best ways to assess and balance those levels. 

My goal is to pave the way for future environmentalists of color. I want them to see role models and have resources available to them.

Team Reblue: Looking to the future, what are your hopes for the environmental movement, especially regarding inclusivity and representation? How can you ensure that diverse voices are heard and valued in this space?  

Isaias Hernandez: Throughout my life, my work has been focused on creating a lasting legacy, not chasing virality or settling for mediocrity. Environmentalism can sometimes be reduced to trends or memes, but my goal is to pave the way for future environmentalists of color. I want them to see role models and have resources available to them. 

I believe it’s crucial for young creatives to enter the climate media field, and for that, we need constant representation. My dream is getting a TV show to show younger folks how I did it so they can too! 

Photo courtesy of Isaias Hernandez. Answers may have been edited for length