30 Million Climate Heroes You’ve Never Heard Of

Across the globe, more than 30 million people make their living collecting, sorting, and recycling what we throw away. Often overlooked, these waste pickers are increasingly recognized as a vital “green workforce,” helping reduce emissions and support more sustainable resource systems.

?In this lecture, Kate O’Neill, Professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley, explores how waste, recycling, and climate politics intersect. Waste workers not only help combat climate impacts through their labor, but are also among the most vulnerable to climate-related disasters.

?Drawing on research in global environmental politics, O’Neill reveals why this workforce is essential to climate action??"and why their role is more important than ever.