Ultimately, every person in the United States should have the right to clean air, clean water, and an environment that enriches life. Low-income communities, and particularly communities of color, have long been overburdened by hazardous air and water pollution from power plants, waste sites, ports and freeways, and numerous other sources of pollution.
John — As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re also reminded of the long-lasting legacies of historical wrongs to Black communities across America. Black History Month is a time for us to recommit to correcting these past injustices and ensuring that similar wrongs are not perpetrated again.
That is why SEEC has dedicated itself to the cause of environmental justice. Making progress towards environmental justice needs to be immediate and a cornerstone of all climate change policies.
By way of an example, a recent study estimated that flood risk in the United States will increase by 25% over the next three decades – and an estimated 40% of that increase in flood risk will occur in places where at least one-fifth of the population is Black.
Ultimately, every person in the United States should have the right to clean air, clean water, and an environment that enriches life. Low-income communities, and particularly communities of color, have long been overburdened by hazardous air and water pollution from power plants, waste sites, ports and freeways, and numerous other sources of pollution. As climate change continues to threaten our daily life, Black communities are poised to be disproportionately impacted.
The link between environmental issues and social justice is undeniable. But as SEEC Vice Chair Rep. A. Donald McEachin stated: “While the journey toward justice may be long, we are making progress.”
The Biden administration has made addressing racial disparities, including environmental ones, a key component of his agenda – and has taken a significant step towards mitigating the impact of long-standing environmental injustice with its Justice40 Initiative. Justice40 is a whole-of-government effort to deliver at least 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal clean energy and climate investments to disadvantaged communities.
We must develop tailored solutions to address issues facing environmental justice communities. Rep. McEachin introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act alongside fellow SEEC member Rep. Raúl Grijalva that sets out to achieve just that. The bill would require federal agencies to engage early and meaningfully with communities when proposing actions affecting an environmental justice community. It also would require the consideration of cumulative health impacts on a community when issuing permits, rather than just discrete impacts. Ultimately, the bill would set the U.S. on a path to realizing the universal rights to clean air and water for everyone, once and for all.
Thanks to your help in 2020, SEEC PAC was able to re-elect over 95% of our pro-environment members to the U.S. House of Representatives — defying the odds on a night where Democrats lost seats. Now we are counting on you to help our SEEC members pass climate, clean energy and environmental justice policies in the 117th Congress while we undo the damage of the Trump Administration. But if you'd like to receive fewer emails, we understand. You can click here to only get our most important messages, or you can unsubscribe.
The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Political Action Committee (SEEC PAC) is an organization that supports members in the U.S. House of Representatives and candidates who fight for clean energy, climate change solutions, environmental justice, and protection of our nation’s clean air, water, wildlife, and public lands. Will you make a donation to our fight today?
Paid for and authorized by the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
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