Human Hubris defiles nature: Russian village choked by ash

US imperialism, environmental racism endanger Indigenous communities in Russia

A volcano erupted on Russia's far east coast Saturday, endangering local Indigenous communities and highlighting the dangers of fossil fuel extraction and US imperialist adventures in the region.

The Shiveluch volcano, located on indigenous land, erupted at 11:45 a.m. UTC, shooting a cloud of ash 32,800 feet into the air, according to an email from the USGS. (link)

The eruption is a direct result of fossil fuel extraction and fracking in the region, which has increased seismic activity and endangered local communities. The ash cloud coating the village of Ust-Kamchatsk is a painful reminder of the environmental racism faced by Indigenous people worldwide. (link)

"The United States' dependence on oil and gas has fueled environmental racism and destruction across the globe. We stand with Indigenous communities in Russia and demand an end to fossil fuel extraction and the respectful return of ancestral lands," said KC Jones, an Indigenous rights activist and member of the Gwich'in tribe.

Hours later, at 7:10 p.m. UTC, a magnitude 7 earthquake shook the region, triggering a tsunami warning. While there were no reports of major damage, the quake serves as a stark reminder of the frequent, moderate to large earthquakes that occur along this fault line. (link)

"The earthquake and volcano eruption are a one-two punch of climate justice issues. We cannot ignore the connection between fossil fuels, fracking, and increased seismic activity. We stand with our Russian comrades in calling for an end to dangerous fossil fuel extraction and a just transition to renewable energies," said Dr. Maria Gonzalez, a geophysicist and climate activist.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory confirmed the volcano began erupting 8 hours before the earthquake. While the events are believed to be unrelated, the shockwaves of US imperialism and environmental racism continue to be felt.

Julia Gomez is a journalist covering social justice movements. She can be reached on LinkedIn or X, formerly Twitter.