Environmental & Social Justice

Fellow Story

Getting Real About Climate Change and Agriculture

On this Switzer Network News report, we learn about the intersection between global climate change and agriculture, why current "solutions" are inadequate and where we need to go next globally.
March 1, 2012
Fellow Story

Garzon quoted on study of Bay Area's urban planning risks to public health

“There is a far-reaching impact from freight transportation in these neighborhoods,” said Catalina Garzón of the Pacific Institute. “Toxic diesel pollution is a harmful substance that has been shown to contribute to additional cancer risk in these communities and which has contributed to respiratory conditions like asthma.” Read the full story
February 10, 2012
Leadership Grant Grant

Cumulative Impacts and Sustainable Solutions for Central Valley Water, Year 1

Community Water Center (CWC) has hired Carolina Balazs as Research Scientist and Scientific Advisor. Carolina will add scientific capacity to this grassroots advocacy organization to help inform its policy and planning efforts as it works...
January 6, 2012
Fellow Story

Lessons learned by Arcata's former mayor Susan Ornelas

Susan Ornelas stepped down as Mayor of Arcata, California, recently. Her husband, former mayor Bob Ornelas, was seriously injured in a cycling accident a month earlier (in November 2011), and the following email was in response to our best wishes for his speedy recovery. When we asked Susan's permission to share it with the Switzer Network she wrote: "Yes! One of the things I love the most about being involved with the Switzer Foundation is the network of wonderful people, where so many people are both soulful and scientific.
January 1, 2012
Fellow

Ryan Shaening Pokrasso

2011 Fellow
Ryan Shaening Pokrasso is the Founder of SPZ Legal, P.C. SPZ is a Bay Area based firm that provides legal and strategic consulting to entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on helping those with a social or environmental mission. Prior to...
Fellow

Kristen Pratt

2011 Fellow
Kristen studied Urban Environmental Leadership at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Kristen's thesis and final action research project focused upon building relationships between grassroots environmentalists and local government. Kristen...
Fellow

Sharon Smith

2011 Fellow
Sharon J. Smith is passionate about protecting the world's remaining tropical forests and advocating for forest conservation as a key strategy for maintaining a healthy climate. Her current focus is on transforming agricultural commodity...
Foundation News

Contaminated Drinking Water in California's Central Valley - March 2011 Retreat

Polluted aquifers in the San Joaquin Valley deprive dozens of communities of safe tap water. Switzer Fellow Carolina Balazs is working with local residents to help understand and address the problem. Produced by 2003 Switzer Fellow Jim...
April 15, 2011
Fellow Story

Contaminated Drinking Water in California's Central Valley - March 2011 Retreat

Polluted aquifers in the San Joaquin Valley deprive dozens of communities of safe tap water. Switzer Fellow Carolina Balazs is working with local residents to help understand and address the problem. Produced by 2003 Switzer Fellow Jim Downing. (See related post.)
April 15, 2011
Fellow Story

Creating Sustainable Communities

In 1997, Oakland, California, began to face the challenge of sustainability on a community level. Today, Oakland enjoys cleaner air, improved recycling, more bike lanes – and a consistent ranking in the Top Ten U.S. Green Cities. Garrett Fitzgerald, Oakland’s Sustainability Coordinator and a Switzer Fellow, shares key steps.
July 2, 2010