WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL
WHY DOES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MATTER?
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The EPA defines environmental justice as, "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." We as a city and state are working towards these goals, but with a history that includes the expulsion of and violence toward Native peoples, benefiting economically from slavery, industrialization that has harmed the planet, and unjust housing policies for marginalized communities, there is still so much work to be done.
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Our campaign will focus on continuing to build our Climate Reality NYC community, which holds the fight for environmental justice within its core principles. We’ll also persist in cultivating kinship with other individuals and organizations in the Big Apple that are taking action to make the city more environmentally just and safe for all who live in it.
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Here are the areas of focus we believe will get us there.
OUR AREAS OF FOCUS
FOCUS ONE: BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH JUSTICE-CENTRIC ALLIES
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In partnership with the larger Climate Reality NYC Chapter, we’re working on connecting with other environmental justice-focused organizations and individuals to build allyship and partnership. Achieving true climate justice is a massive endeavor that needs all of us and we believe working together will make us stronger.
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FOCUS TWO: LOCAL & GLOBAL EDUCATION AROUND WHAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NEEDS
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Local activism is always critical, but New York City is a global hub and has worldwide influence. We are keeping ourselves informed about what is happening in the five boroughs, while also showcasing how global efforts affect our goals as we make progress.
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FOCUS THREE: HIGHLIGHTING HOW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERSECTS WITH OUR EVERYDAY LIVES
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From abolition to urban heat islands, climate justice affects how we live our day-to-day lives: often in ways that many don’t realize. We’ll unpack how our local issues intersect with the bigger environmental justice fight, highlight the work of activists, and work on solutions for a safer environment for all.
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FOCUS FOUR: PUBLIC HEALTH
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Frontline communities are hit first and worst by climate change and fossil fuel pollution, and often those communities are underprivileged, Black, Brown, and Indigenous. We will work to support these communities and their needs, use our platform to uplift their voices, and clean up pollution hotspots to ensure all New Yorkers have clean air and safe water.
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FOCUS FIVE: YOUTH & THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LEXICON
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Every movement is powered by youth and the Environmental Justice movement is no different. We’ll work to ensure young New Yorkers have the knowledge and lexicon to describe climate injustices around them, advocate for inclusion of climate issues in local education, and help support youth-centric organizations.
GET INVOLVED
The “A Safer Environment for All” campaign wants to build an inclusive coalition of people who care about environmental justice and want to make NYC and NYS a better place to live. To do that, we need your support and to join in on the discussions and events that we’ll be having virtually and in-person.
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Please email climatereality.chapter@gmail.com Subject Line “Environmental Justice Campaign” if you’d like to get involved.