Environmental justice groups work to ensure that all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, receive the same quality of protection from environmental hazards, as well as equal access to decision-making processes with respect to their environment.
Environmental justice groups defend and protect individuals in communities that have been targeted by discriminatory land-use policies and suffer from a disproportionate level of health risks due to their proximity to pollution sources. These often low-income communities of color have traditionally been shut out of decision-making processes. Environmental justice organizations organize residents to access power and improve their communities.
10 Environmental Justice Groups to Support Today
Environmental Health Coalition
Environmental Health Coalition is dedicated to achieving environmental and social justice. The coalition empowers communities and advocates to protect public health and the environment threatened by toxic pollution.
Communities for a Better Environment
The mission of Communities for a Better Environment is to build people’s power in California communities of color and low income communities to achieve environmental health and justice. They do so by preventing and reducing pollution and building green, healthy and sustainable communities and environments.
California Environmental Justice Alliance
California Environmental Justice Alliance Action (CEJA Action) builds the political power of communities of color to advance environmentally and socially just policies in California. We accomplish this by engaging voters in communities of color, organizing and training grassroots leaders to engage in civic and electoral politics, and advocacy to advance critical policies that will improve the health and quality of life in communities of color. We believe California’s
Environmental Justice Health Alliance
The Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform supports diverse movement towards safe chemicals and clean energy that leaves no community or worker behind. The organization organizes direct engagement in industry reform strategies by grassroots organizations in frontline communities to promote environmental justice outcomes.
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro is a nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. The organization paves the way for inclusion in outdoor recreation, nature, and conservation for all.
WE ACT
WE ACT For Environmental Justice’s mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices.
Indigenous Environmental Network
Indigenous Environmental Network works to build the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, health of people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities.
The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment
The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment is a national environmental justice organization providing legal, organizing, and technical assistance to grassroots groups in low-income communities and communities of color.
The Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project
Nuestra Tierra’s people-focused mission is to ensure that Frontera (border) communities have access to the outdoors — and that their history, values and people are reflected in public lands management. The organization takes action through education, advocacy, and empowerment.
Environmental Justice Coalition for Water
The Environmental Justice Coalition for Water is a statewide coalition of grassroots groups and intermediary organizations building a collective, community-based movement for domocratic water allocation, management, and policy in California. The organization empowers the most under-served communities, including those of low-income and communities of color throughout California to advocate for clean, safe, and affordable water.
UPROSE
UPROSE is an intergenerational, multi-racial, nationally-recognized, women of color led, grassroots organization that promotes sustainability and resiliency through community organizing, education, leadership development and cultural/artistic expression.
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice
Greenaction mobilized community power to win victories that change government and corporate policies and practices to protect health and promote environmental, economic and social justice.