Environmental & Social Justice

"I have learned so much about why energy justice is a rising priority we should all be paying close attention to in our justice-centered work," Zully Juarez shared about the opportunity to research the energy system and address energy burden reduction in this report.

For decades, Black people in this country have felt the heavy toll of environmental racism. A study published by University of Michigan in 2016 shows that communities of color and low-income neighborhoods are targeted by polluting industries. The Takeaway spoke with Switzer Fellow Christina Fuller on the issue.

Becoming a JEDI Master: Journey Toward a More Equitable Future sought to develop an open-source, accessible toolkit that could be utilized by Switzer Fellows and other environmental practitioners seeking to further individual and organizational understanding of the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).

With environmental science being the least diverse field in STEM, Regan Patterson co-founded Black in Environment to build community and increase representation for Black folks across environmental realms. Timnit Kefela is a co-organizer. In honor of Black History Month, we asked them a few questions about the project. We are excited to share about their achievements and look forward to Black in Environment Week 2022!

“It’s both an exciting and daunting time to step into this role,” Colleen said. “Bold action on the climate crisis is urgently needed. I’m humbled to have this opportunity to expand the center’s collaborations with frontline communities, policymakers and others to help advance solutions.”

“This really has to do with discriminatory planning processes in which communities of color and low-income communities are often located near ports, major roadways and distribution centers, and so therefore are disproportionately exposed to diesel exhaust,” Regan says.

In this new role, Demi will support The Erol Foundation's climate action and climate solution philanthropic portfolios.

This past summer, homes in Detroit were flooded with up to five feet of sewage backup after heavy rains dumped six inches of water overnight. It took weeks and more than $10,000 (not reimbursed by insurance) for my home in East English Village to be restored to a livable condition.

Grant's new role will help implement a new environmental justice law passed in Washington, the HEAL Act, and join an interagency environmental justice council.