Government employees know how to address environmental crises; but, unless we live in communities with contaminated drinking water, searing heat waves, and pollution-induced asthma attacks, we can never truly understand the lives shaped by environmental injustice. Lower-income populations experience greater pollution burdens because community members are often not involved in the government approval decision-making process of polluting facilities proposed for their neighborhoods. Full story…

Research studies and personal experiences attest that community gardens provide environmental and social benefits in the face of environmental injustices. From mitigating climate change to increasing food access, community gardens positively impact lives. Full story…

Last month I traveled to Lamont to present to community members about CalRecycle’s Environmental Justice Program, SB 1383 regulations and the estimated 50 to 100 new large-scale organic waste facilities that will be built in the state as a result, and how to participate in the formal rulemaking process. Full story…

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery is awarding $71,132 in cleanup grants to restore public nature areas and animal grazing land in Lassen and Madera counties. Full story…

CalRecycle’s greenhouse gas reduction grant and loan programs put Cap-and-Trade dollars to work for California by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening our economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Full story…

Maybe you’re like me. Injustices like the bad water in Flint make your blood boil. Stories about poor communities boxed in by freeways have you suddenly mindful of every breath. You have a pretty good grasp on the concept of environmental justice, but you struggle to turn that awareness into action in your everyday work. Full story…