Earth Day: Reflect, Engage, and Make an Impact

04.21.23

Earth Day serves as an important reminder that environmental justice is a critical issue. Black, Indigenous, and people of color(BIPOC)communities continue to bear the brunt of environmental hazards and impacts of climate change. Critical issues in environmental justice include extreme heat, poor air quality, discriminatory zoning practices, and inadequate infrastructure, such as substandard drinking water and wastewater systems. By recognizing the disproportionate effect of environmental degradation on historically marginalized communities and advocating for policies and practices that promote fairness and equity, we can work towards a more just and sustainable future for all.

Climate justice seeks to ensure that the global response to climate change is equitable and just, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions while addressing the needs and concerns of vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and people of color.

In 2022, the Equity in Community Investments team embarked on a research journey grounded in the experiences of BIPOC organizers and community members in the San Joaquin Valley and Inland Empire to discuss the challenges and opportunities around environmental justice. These interviews resulted in a report uplifting that the effects of the climate crisis, such as droughts, wildfires, and extreme heat, are not distributed equally. BIPOC communities are the most vulnerable due to systemic racial segregation and lack of resources. Federal and state lawmakers have approved public investments to address climate impacts and infrastructure gaps, but BIPOC communities still face challenges, including the lack of political will, industry “bad actors,” and poorly maintained infrastructure. These communities also face compounded and enduring health challenges due to COVID-19 and climate-related impacts, with a need for increased funding for climate education and awareness geared toward BIPOC community members.

The San Joaquin Valley and Inland Empire regions both confront unresponsive political leadership, limited health safety nets, and disproportionate representation in low-wage jobs. Low-wage jobs, often in low-income communities, involve working in industries harmful to the environment, exposing workers to hazardous materials and chemicals with long-term health effects. The regions also have different environmental justice priorities, such as drinking water violations due to industry contamination in rural communities, and air pollution from goods movement, dust from the exposed lakebed of the Salton Sea, extreme heat, and water contamination in the Inland Empire. Vulnerable populations include outdoor agricultural workers, people living in old homes or homes without air conditioning, and children who attend schools adjacent to land use hazards. Addressing low-wage jobs and environmental justice is crucial for creating a sustainable and equitable future by promoting green jobs, investing in infrastructure, and advocating for policies and large-scale change that protect the right to a clean and healthy environment.

We identified four key strategies that offer pathways for advancing environmental and climate justice for marginalized communities. By building local power, advocating for localized community projects and jobs, demanding government transparency and accountability, and pushing for participatory and equity-based public climate dollars, we can work towards a more just and sustainable future for all. Through collective action and continued advocacy, we can ensure that all communities, particularly those most impacted by environmental degradation and climate change, have the resources and support necessary to thrive. For more information, check out our detailed brief that addresses these issues >> bit.ly/ClimateandRacialJustice

We thank our partners below, who helped us identify equitable solutions that address the environmental justice crisis we are facing today. Make sure to follow them on social media, engage, and make an impact!