EJ Forum

Check out this inspiring article in the Wisconsin Muslim Journal, where Huda Alkaff, founder of Wisconsin Green Muslims and EJLF member, discusses her innovative Open Circle model—an educational tool helping Islamic institutions and others take practical steps toward environmental stewardship. 🌍

Alkaff will also be speaking at the upcoming Muslim Women’s Coalition Networking Brunch, where she’ll share more about their energy democracy initiatives and Climate Justice Healing Circles that foster community-led, renewable energy solutions.

🔗 Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio!

Congratulations to our EJLF member WERA on Co-Founder and Director Omega Wilson’s contribution to Chapter 5: Environmental Health Science for the People 📚

This chapter features vital case studies, including WERA’s innovative Community Owned and Managed Research model and the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network’s efforts on the hog farm industry. Including environmental justice in curriculum is essential for equipping future leaders with the knowledge and tools to address environmental injustice in Black, Brown, low-income, and Indigenous communities. 🗣️

🌍 People’s Hearing on Environmental Justice Impacts of LNG 🗣️

Chispa TX, alongside EJ and frontline leaders across the Gulf, is hosting a People’s Hearing to give testimony on the impacts of LNG on Environmental Justice communities. The Department of Energy (DOE) is updating their review process for LNG export licenses—and they need to hear from you. This is your chance to make your voice heard! ✊

📅 When: Friday, October 18, 2024, 1:00-3:00 PM CST
📍 Where: Brooks AME, 2101 N Port Ave, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (in-person and virtual option)

Register: bit.ly/peopleshearinglng

Testimonies will be recorded and submitted to DOE. Don’t miss out—your voice matters!

Meet Karla Cordero, a fierce advocate for environmental justice and the Chief of Staff Karla’s work is rooted in uplifting community voices and highlighting storytelling to promote cultural resilience and environmental action. She draws inspiration from her Dominican heritage, where storytelling and artistic expression serve as powerful tools for awareness and advocacy.

We honor Karla’s commitment to centering community experiences and empowering others to make meaningful change.

Meet Irene Burga, a powerful advocate for environmental justice and Climate Justice & Clean Air Program Director at . Irene is dedicated to ensuring communities can thrive, breathe clean air, and protect future generations. Her work intertwines cultural heritage with the fight for environmental justice.

We honor Irene’s passion and commitment, as she reminds us that environmental justice is deeply connected to cultural justice. This month, we shine a light on leaders like Irene who are shaping the future of our planet for everyone. ✊🏽🌍

Meet Irene V***a, a powerful advocate for environmental justice and Climate Justice & Clean Air Program Director at . Irene is dedicated to ensuring communities can thrive, breathe clean air, and protect future generations. Her work intertwines cultural heritage with the fight for environmental justice.

We honor Irene’s passion and commitment, as she reminds us that environmental justice is deeply connected to cultural justice. This month, we shine a light on leaders like Irene who are shaping the future of our planet for everyone. ✊🏽🌍

Meet Noé Elias, Community Organizer at .austin and an inspiring educator in the environmental justice movement. Noé’s work honors the profound contributions of the Latinx community to the American landscape—emphasizing cultural pride, equity, and collective empowerment in the fight for environmental justice.

At the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum, we are proud to recognize Noé’s leadership and dedication to ensuring that frontline communities are heard, respected, and uplifted in the ongoing battle for environmental equity and sustainability.

Keep following along as we continue celebrating powerful Latinx advocates shaping a just and sustainable future during ! 🌱🌍✊🏽

🌿 National Hispanic Heritage Month

Meet Paulina López, Executive Director and a powerful voice in the environmental justice movement. Paulina’s work amplifies the core values of her heritage—deep respect for the environment, a commitment to sustainability, and the protection of natural resources for future generations.

At the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum, we celebrate Paulina’s unwavering dedication to elevating Latinx voices and ensuring that cultural traditions are central in the ongoing fight for environmental justice.

Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight incredible advocates shaping the future of environmental justice during ! ✊🏽🌎

🗣️ Senate Bill 67 is now law in Alaska, phasing out PFAS-containing firefighting foams! Thanks to the relentless advocacy efforts of and community leaders, this crucial legislation is a big win for public health.

Huge thanks to Senator Jesse Kiehl for sponsoring SB 67 and to the co-sponsors and Committee Chairs who helped guide this bill to passage. Alaska now joins other states in protecting frontline communities.

Community leaders will continue pushing for comprehensive PFAS legislation to ensure safe drinking water, phase out non-essential PFAS uses, and support affected communities.

The $2B Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in community-led projects in U.S. history.

We are excited to see our cohort members play a role to create this historic program and see it start making an impact.

Explore the Washington Post article, ‘Scorched by History: Discriminatory Past Shapes Heat Waves in Minority & Low-Income Neighborhoods,’ featuring EJLF and CAFLH member South Bronx Unite. 

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio to learn how historical neglect intensifies heat vulnerability in the South Bronx, with insights from Arif Ullah, executive director of South Bronx Unite.

Nearly 32 million Americans live within three miles of a peaker power plant, which are among the most inefficient, expensive, and polluting energy sources. Predominantly located in low-income and minority communities, these plants represent a critical environmental justice issue.

Our advocacy is resonating. The EPA has excluded hydrogen from the latest power plant regulations. We must continue to press for the exclusion of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and insist on comprehensive environmental justice and cumulative impact analyses.

Breath of Life: We Cannot Fast from Clean Air. 🌬️✨ Explore insights from Huda Alkaff, ecologist and founder of Wisconsin Green Muslims, on the importance of clean air during Ramadan and beyond. Click the link in our bio to learn more!

For decades, soot pollution has plagued our communities, posing serious health risks. Black, brown, and Indigenous communities have borne the brunt of legacy pollution, enduring disproportionate exposure to soot compared to their white counterparts in both rural and urban areas. 🌎💨

While this standard represents progress in limiting soot pollution, the must prioritize environmental justice policies to fully protect our communities. People of color deserve clean air just like everyone else. We acknowledge the for the improved regulations, but it’s time to implement more robust solutions for pollution to significantly reduce soot pollution and safeguard our communities. 🏡 💚

🚨 Homeowner insurance premiums are spiking nationwide, doubling and tightening coverage. In North Carolina, a massive 42% rate increase is looming!

📈 Dive into the full article by Sharon Lewis from CT Coalition for EJ. Click the link in our bio for insights on insurers passing climate costs to consumers while supporting polluting industries behind climate change. 🤔💻

The fight continues! We'll see you in 2024.

"Many environmentalists and policymakers have looked to household electrification as a necessity to reduce carbon emissions — replacing fossil fuel-powered appliances like gas stoves and oil-fired water heaters with electric ones like induction stoves and electric water heaters — but this solution ignores a major segment of the population: renters."

How to electrify your life when you rent Electrifying your apartment is a pain in the ass.

"The EPA estimates the new rule will reduce methane emissions nearly 80% below what they were projected to be, and that will "prevent an estimated 58 million tons of methane emissions from 2024 to 2038."

EPA aims to slash the oil industry's climate-warming methane pollution New EPA rules require oil and gas companies to slash climate-changing methane from their operations.