by Jalin Abston

Isaias Hernandez is a proclaimed environmental educator who also happens to live a vegan and zero-waste lifestyle. Hernandez is the creator of Queer Brown Vegan where he makes easily accessible resources and environmental education content. As a queer, brown and vegan environmentalist, he seeks to provide a safe space for other “like-minded environmentalists to engage in the discourse of the current climate crisis.”

Following the completion of B.S. in Environmental Science at the University of California, Berkeley, Isaias co-created an environmental magazine named Alluvia Magazine. Alluvia features BIPOC environmentalists through “climate justice storytelling.” Queer Brown Vegan focuses on veganism, zero-waste, and environmental justice. Isaias currently resides in New York City where he works as a freelancer for digital marketing and participates in speaking engagements, workshops, and consulting. I spoke with Isaias about environmentalism and the importance of educational content:

SUSTAIN: How can addressing intersectional environmentalism contribute to the decolonizing veganism?

ISAIAS: When looking through intersectionality, we can see common interconnections of how veganism can challenge industrialized agriculture models that uphold colonialism. Many of these extractive, abusive, and detrimental industries cause global environmental damage to the animals, people, and the planet itself. One cannot simply advocate for animals without realizing that the same sectors that perpetuate animal abuse stem from settler colonialism. If you genuinely care about ending animal abuse from extractive industries, we need to challenge these heinous corporations that have for longed created a global environmental injustice throughout the world, not Indigenous communities who have practiced regeneration for centuries.

S: What are your thoughts on the gentrification of veganism from the perspective of a BIPOC?

I: I feel that Vegan capitalism will not help society itself, it does not create change if we aren't addressing the roots of the issues. We have for longed silenced BIPOC Vegan voices in Vegan conversations that have been dominated by White Vegans. I personally feel that many BIPOC communities have deep interpersonal relationships with plant-based food systems from their culture, and it's often highlighted in conversations. Restoring BIPOC plant-based food systems is important but also recognizing that assuming that if everyone goes Vegan, it will end the climate crisis when we still have colonial structures.

S: How can non-BIPOC use their privilege to reverse or solve environmental injustices that face  BIPOCs?

I: It's really about asking yourself where you can start locally and asking yourself how your community may differ from other nearby cities. Whether you spread your wealth, attend action events, or share content on social media, think about ways you are constantly de-centering yourself from environmental conversations and putting BIPOC folks to the forefront of these conversations.

S: What are some ways one could implement zero-waste practices to their day-to-day life?

I: Redesign your relationship with plastic-waste. Many of us are thinking linear when it comes to plastic because that's how consumerism has been instilled in us, but when we use a circular framework, we can understand how we can continue repurposing the plastic waste in your home. Look into sustainable options, whether it be in your kitchen, bathroom, traveling, or even your own usage (opt-in for electronic receipts as a first step)!

S: What is your favorite vegan meal to cook at home?

I: My favorite vegan go-to is enchiladas that are made from Red Salsa, Vegan Cheese, beans, avocado, and potato filling. As someone who grew up in a Mexican family household, enchiladas were special dishes on weekends when I would spend time with my family, and it truly brings so many memories of growing up in Los Angeles!

S: What are you looking forward to or most excited about?

I: I’m looking forward to the constant learning and unlearning journey I have for myself. As an educator, I am constantly wanting to learn but also learn from others, and because of social media, I've made so many amazing, empowering, and heart-warming friends through this!

You can follow Queer Brown Vegan on Instagram for more educational environmental resources and content.

Photography by Jalin Abston