Pillar 5: Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice Statement
The Puente Project recognizes that environmental justice is a key component of tackling systemic oppression and central to preserving our communities. We advocate for an environmentalism that acknowledges the disparities in health outcomes, toxic exposure, and environmental degradation for Black, Indigenous, and low-income communities. To achieve equity that promotes wholeness, reciprocity and stewardship, we must advocate for an end to environmental racism. Our first step is to engage in education from underrepresented voices on the local-to-global impacts of climate change. In practice, this means making organizational decisions guided by these principles, building classroom resources, engaging in community leadership, and fostering experiential learning opportunities.
Questions to Consider
+ Recommendations
How do you incorporate environmental justice into your curriculum and foster learning activities related to environmental justice?
Uplift Indigenous voices regarding environmental justices issues.
Learn and discuss the Indigneous inhabitants of the land you occupy and their land stewardship practices.
Study the history of the environmental justice movement and its principles.
Examples: Robert Bullard and the 17 Principles of EJ, EPA Justice Timeline, CalEnivroScreen.
Identify environmental justice challenges in your community and the effects of climate crisis.
Discuss how environmental issues disproportionately impact communities of color with high poverty.
How do you encourage participation in and support community efforts around environmental justice issues?
Invite speakers working for local environmental justice movements.
Research local environmental justice groups and events to share with Puente community.
When safe and possible, encourage volunteering for events.
How do you make program decisions guided by the principles of environmental justice, (ie, being sustainable, lessening carbon footprint, etc)?
Consider matters such as electricity, printing, food waste, plastic waste, and other issues when planning events.
Use online learning management systems and other online forums of communication for class materials, event announcements, and sharing resources.
Consider virtual activities (when applicable).
Work with students and community members to assess the environmental impact of different travel and field trip options. Consider options to lessen the pollution associated with air travel by traveling instead by train or car, when possible. Reduce harm by carpooling, instead of driving solo.
Additional Resources
Getting Started
All We Can Save Project and Anthology edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkerson
California Environmental Protection Agency "What is Environmental Justice?"
Energy Justice Network. "17 Principles of Environmental Justice"
See also: EJN Resources and Links
NDN Collective. "Climate Justice at NDN"
Thomas, Leah. The Intersectional Environmentalist (Book and website. Also see toolkits for classroom lesson ideas
Extend Your Knowledge
Bullard, Robert, "Equity, unnatural man-made disasters, and race: why environmental justice matters"
See also: (Various Articles on author website)
Bioneers Conference: Attend or view past talks and resource guides.
Community Water Center, Research and Publications
Deep Dive
Hernandez, Jessica. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science
Jarrat-Snyder, Karen and Marianne O. Nielsen. Indigenous Environmental Justice
Kimmerer, Robin. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants