DOHA DEBATES, the group that engages people in conversations about global challenges through a series of award-winning short films, podcasts, debates and videos, have announced the topic of this week’s popular virtual discussion show, #DearWorldLive.

This week, we’ll meet climate activists from all around the world, to discuss how environmental racism impacts communities of color

Nelufar Hedayat

This Wednesday’s episode will explore the impact of environmental racism on communities of color and looks at ways we can work together to achieve climate justice.

Viewers can participate and be featured by submitting comments and questions with the hashtag #DearWorldLive.

This show is hosted by award-winning journalist and documentary maker Nelufar Hedayat, who said: “The color of your skin or the size of your bank account can determine how affected you are by climate change and pollution.

“This week, we’ll meet climate activists from all around the world, to discuss how environmental racism impacts communities of color.”

Speakers in Wednesday’s show include 23-year old Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate, who grew up in Kampala, Uganda and began her activism in December 2018 after she became concerned about the unusually high temperatures in her country. 

A worldwide icon who met with Angelina Jolie and business leaders from around the world at the World Economic Forum, Nakate is outspoken not only about the climate but about the lack of diversity in the environmental movement. 

“Climate activists of color are erased,” she told a British newspaper.

“I [had] activists who messaged me to tell me that the same thing happened to them before but they didn’t have the courage to say anything.”

Other participants include American filmmaker and writer Ian Daniel. Along with actor Ellen Page, Ian Daniel recently co-directed and produced “There’s Something in the Water,” a documentary film about the devastating effects of environmental racism in Canada.

The documentary, now available on Netflix, shows the struggle of minority communities in Nova Scotia, Canada as they fight officials over the lethal effects of industrial waste.

The show will also be joined by college student and young climate activist Patsy Islam-Parsons from Sydney, Australia.

Patsy speaks out frequently on the impact of climate change on Australia, from the nation’s devastating brushfires to the impact of mining and coal extraction on Australia’s indigenous communities. Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of coal.

Tune in this Wednesday, October 28 at 10am ET on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Twitch to watch and join in the conversation.