Committees
Environmental Climate Justice Committee
Committee Chair
April Roush
To inquire about opportunities to join this committee, contact info@cincinnatinaacp.com
“We must fight for a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work. But issues of climate change and environmental factors often have a disproportionate impact on communities of color. We all have a role to play in changing that.”
Reduce harmful emissions, particularly greenhouse gases
We combine action on shutting down coal plants and other toxic facilities, as well as the building of new toxic facilities, at the local level with advocacy to strengthen development, monitoring, and enforcement of regulations at federal, state, and local levels. This also includes a focus on corporate responsibility and accountability.
Advance energy efficiency and clean energy
We work at the state level on campaigns to pass renewable energy and energy efficiency standards while simultaneously working to provide safer, more sustainable mechanisms for managing energy needs for our communities and beyond. We also support small businesses, unions, and others to develop demonstration projects to ensure that communities of color are accessing revenue generation opportunities in the new energy economy.
Strengthen community resilience and livability
We work to ensure that communities are equipped to engage in sustainability and climate action planning that integrates policies and practices on advancing food justice, advocating for transportation equity, upholding civil and human rights in emergency management, and facilitating participatory democracy.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as follows:
“Environmental justice is 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. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”
Working on the Environmental Climate Justice Committee
Estimated Time Commitment: Approximately two hours per month
Who We’re Looking For: We welcome all who are passionate about this critical cause – there is something for everyone to do!
Activities: Environmental, climate, energy, and sustainability advocacy and activism
Benefits of Working with Us: You gain access to vital information on the topic of environmental climate justice and how it is affecting our community, as well as a chance to be a force for positive change.
