Across New York State, too many students are about to enter classrooms that become unbearably hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Many schools lack access to safe drinking water, and playgrounds, often lined with asphalt, trap heat and provide little green space for relief. These conditions disrupt learning and harm students' health and well-being. Black and lower-income communities bear the brunt of this climate injustice, enduring the harmful effects of environmental racism that have threatened their health and futures for generations.
The fight for environmental justice has always been rooted in the struggles of Black communities. Leaders like Dr. Robert Bullard and those who protested the 1982 landfill siting in Warren County, North Carolina, have been at the forefront of demanding that environmental policies center those most harmed. They recognized that the health of our communities and the health of the planet are deeply connected, and that achieving true justice means addressing both.
Here are some ways you can take action today!
Party in Crotona Park! We had so much fun line dancing at the start of this month’s Black August celebrations in Brooklyn, we had to bring the party to the Bronx! Dancing is healing after all. Come out for some summer fun!
Learn! Listen to this podcast on the centrality of environmental justice to the BLM movement, and explore how systemic racism not only harms Black communities but also derails our ability to effectively tackle the climate crisis.
Support organizations fighting for climate justice! Local organizations like Fridays for Future NYC and WE ACT for Environmental Justice are leading efforts to empower historically marginalized communities and demand systemic change. Stay engaged with the good folks doing this work to help push for the transformation we need.
Speak up through our survey! Available in English and Spanish: tell us how your school or child care space is – or isn’t – meeting the needs of your child and community. Whether it’s extreme temperatures, unsafe water, or a lack of green space, hearing from you will help us advocate for healthier, more equitable learning environments for all.
In solidarity,
Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari
Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education
