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Dear John,

Here we are once again, shaking off the icky feeling from
settler-colonialism's favorite holiday followed by consumerist mayhem and
looking forward to the solstice, the start of a new year. It's a good time
for reflection. Like thinking back thirty years to the 1991 National People
of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, an event that shaped the course
of the environmental justice movement in many ways, including offering us
the Principles of Environmental Justice and Principles of Working Together.


It's also the time of year when many organizations do the majority of
fundraising. For CJA members, especially the frontline, grassroots groups,
it can be tough. It takes a lot of work to do the work in the first place,
not to mention trying to be heard among the calls for generosity when it
feels like newsfeeds and inboxes are overflowing with solicitations. TODAY
YOU CAN MAKE THINGS EASIER ON THEM BY GIVING DIRECTLY TO CJA MEMBERS [4]
BEFORE THEY EVEN HAVE TO ASK. Some of them have staff and leadership who
were at the '91 summit, others formed in its wake, while all of them work
to continue building a thriving movement for environmental justice today.

We hope that reading about and watching some of their stories of success
and struggle that we've compiled here will inspire you to give to their
important work today. [4]

BUILD THE BIGGER WE: FRONTLINE DELEGATION TO COP26 SHOWS WHAT JUST
SOLUTIONS LOOK LIKE

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The United Nations annual climate change conference (COP26) recently
concluded in Glasgow, Scotland and CJA members were on the ground to raise
the perspectives and solutions of those most impacted by the climate
crisis. In particular, they pushed back against net-zero, and other false
solutions [6] that do not actually reduce emissions at the source and will
continue to accelerate climate change through continued greenhouse gas
emissions and pollution. They also offered examples of just solutions that
can be implemented now through local, community controlled renewable energy
models that discontinue the harmful practice of polluting in low-income
frontline communities while ensuring clean, place-based solutions that
provide healthy futures and sustainable jobs.

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“Once again the UNFCCC has demonstrated that their interests lie heavily
with economic bottom lines rather than in a true commitment to tackling the
climate crisis. The It Takes Roots delegation–comprised of U.S.-based
Climate Justice Alliance [3], Grassroots Global Justice Alliance [7],
Indigenous Environmental Network [8], Just Transition Alliance [9], and
Central Florida Jobs with Justice [10], representing frontline communities
directly impacted by fossil fuel extraction and production–has witnessed
the COP26 negotiations move at an incremental pace, while upholding
investments in carbon trading and market-based schemes that ensure
continued fossil fuel extraction and production far into the future.” To
continue reading our full press statement click here [11] or watch
highlights from COP [12] to learn more about why we must continue to
support frontline leadership and wisdom if we want to safeguard Mother
Earth for future generations.

[5]

THIS FALL, CJA MEMBERS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO...

INDIGENOUS, CLIMATE JUSTICE ORGANIZERS FLOOD DC TO DEMAND BIDEN BUILD
BACK FOSSIL FREE 

Recently, the fossil fuel resistance flooded DC to demand action from
President Biden. The People vs Fossil Fuels Week of Actions kicked off on
Indigenous Peoples Day and brought Indigenous groups, climate and racial
justice groups, and youth-led groups together with a simple demand: end
fossil fuel projects, declare a national climate emergency, and transition
to 100% clean, renewable energy.

The week was filled with actions centering the voices of the frontlines
[13], Indigenous leaders occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and
concluding with a march to the US Capitol. To learn more about how Biden
can build back fossil free read the press statement here. [14]

FIGHT THE BAD: LOCAL NYC COALITION SETS PRECEDENT FOR SHUTTING DOWN
PEAKER PLANTS

Last month, CJA members UPROSE and New York City Environmental Justice
Alliance (NYC-EJA) along with their allies in the PEAK Coalition [15]
successfully halted the repowering of a large gas peaker plant in the
Astoria neighborhood of New York City. The PEAK Coalition, originally
formed in the fall of 2020, has been advocating for a system of localized
renewable energy generation and battery storage to replace peaker plants
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their most recent battle had been an
organizing effort to stop the city from approving NRG Energy, Inc’s
petition for a Title V air permit to operate NRG’s Astoria Gas Turbine
Power Plant. The plant, a highly polluting peaker plant, is located in a
section of Western Queens packed with gas-fired power plants and known
locally as “Asthma Alley.”

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) decided to
reject the proposed project, agreeing with the PEAK Coalition’s argument
that the project, located in an environmental justice community, is not
compliant with the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection
Act (CLCPA). The CLCPA mandates that New York must transition to a
zero-emission electric sector by 2040, leaving no room for new gas. They
also rejected NRG’s claims that hydrogen would meet this zero-emission
mandate, citing technology, feasibility, and nitrogen oxide emissions
concerns that have been raised by Clean Energy Group and others. The
decision sets a precedent for shutting down New York City’s remaining
fossil-fuel peakers and provides a model for opposition campaigns in other
states.

Support CJA

Climate Justice Alliance

PO BOX 10202
Berkeley, CA 94709
United States


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