Dear John,

The good news is: 2020 is over! Woooooooo! And breath everyone.

The bad news is: We aren't out of the woods just yet *womp womp*.

Yes, we can say goodbye to "I hope this email finds you well", "in a year like no other", "in these challenging times", and all the other lines that made us roll our eyes. There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon given all we've endured and what has happened since November, but there is still a great amount of work to be done. The damage done to us and our communities will take years to undo, all the while we mourn for those no longer with us, and those who had their lives needlessly ruined due to the actions/inactions of government. We also need to be realistic and recognize that the new administration is going to be pushing neoliberal, market-based schemes to “solve” the climate crisis, which will really just make things worse for frontline communities. The CJA family vows to continue our fight for a truly Just Transition, and remains committed to supporting our communities through whatever catastrophe comes our way next. As we all get set for 2021 we wish you and yours a very happy new year and hope you find time to rest and rejuvenate.

Fight the Bad: CJA Members Successfully Thwart TCI in Critical Northeast States 

Congratulations to CJA members building power in the northeast region: Alternatives for Community and Environment, Connecticut Coalition for Economic and Environmental Justice, Institute for Policy Studies, NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice Program (and their Maryland chapter), Ironbound Community Corporation, NY Environmental Justice Alliance and UPROSE, along with their state partners, who have successfully blocked the incorporation of the majority of northeast states from joining the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). After more than ten years in the making and with the expectation of finally securing 12 states to participate, TCI launched in the northeast yesterday with little fanfare and only 3 states plus the District of Columbia (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut) on board. While New York and New Jersey are still a part of the TCI informational table, they - as the largest states in the northeast - are now questioning the purpose, equity process, and revenue that TCI could bring. (Does Brexit ring a bell?)

Essentially, TCI is a cap and trade scheme that purports to reduce car pollution through expanding electric vehicles. However, the reality is not as rosy. The real life cost for those electric vehicles will again be at the expense of frontline communities in the form of pollution from existing power plants in their neighborhoods, resulting in a deepening of environmental racism and sacrifice zones. Hear from CJA's steering committee member in this recent New York Times article, A Plan by Eastern States to Cap Tailpipe Emissions Gets Off to a Slow Start to learn more. Read our most recent positions on TCI here.

Bezos, Big Greens & Allied Funders Called on to Support the Frontlines

Bezos' Earth Fund is an Unnatural Disaster-An Avalanche of Inequity and Injustice to the Frontlines Does Nothing to Curb Climate Change, while Real Solutions Remain Unfunded. That's our take on the billions of dollars that Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, is recklessly throwing around and which will have dire consequences for decades to come. We're calling on Bezos, big greens and allied funders to act. In particular, those who have accepted funding (much of which will bolster dangerous false solutions that don't actually curb climate change and will only serve to further harm frontline communities) including the World Wildlife Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, World Resources Institute, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Nature Conservancy to support the frontlines & BIPOC leadership by redirecting 25% of Bezos' Earth Fund grants to the communities most impacted. Check out the full statement for our full analysis above.

Support CJA Members in Your Area

As we wrap up a long year and are (hopefully) getting in some relaxation before what's bound to be more climate catastrophes and an emboldened neoliberal approach to the climate crisis, we have something to ask of you.

First, ask yourself, how much money are you comfortable giving to the movement this holiday season? Then round that number up until it makes you a little uncomfortable, depending on your income and situation, maybe that's an extra $1? $100? $10,000? Now, follow this link and find one of our members near you. We know we don't have members in every neighborhood, so if you can't find one physically nearby, take some time and find a group that's close to your heart for another reason. Click on the donate button under their logo, and do it. Donate that much to a CJA member. Right now.

That is how we Move the Money to the frontlines boldly, collectively, and with purpose. That is how, today, we can Fight the Bad, Build the New, and all the other important things happening that can't be summed up in a few sentences. That is how we are going to win.

If you’re in need of some inspiration and joy this holiday season check out our newest story snapshot from the Kheprw Institute, where a young artist with roots in this local Indianapolis Black community flips the notion of wealth on its head. Through a podcast and artful film, full of stunning imagery, spoken word and music, you’ll get a taste of how justice, self-mastery and community power build community wealth in Indianapolis. By expanding the understanding of “wealth,” viewers feel the interconnectivity between empowerment, economy, education and environment: four pillars of a Just Transition. The meaning behind Kheprw’s cryptic logo, the scarab beetle, is also revealed, as relationships run deep and transcend generations. Find that and more by viewing the Full Video Snapshot and podcast here.