Alameda County has set ambitious goals to reduce emissions, increase quality of life, and adapt to climate change. To achieve these goals, it is essential to involve communities of color, who are most affected by environmental injustices and who can lead the creation of solutions. This article provides an overview of the environmental coalitions active in Alameda County that are working to create equitable access to green space and promote climate justice. The Intersection Environmentalist is a climate justice collective that strives to challenge systems of oppression and build a more sustainable, just, and inclusive world.
Their core values focus on intersectionality, understanding how different forms of injustice overlap with each other. Intersection Environmentalist works to create meaningful solutions for a greener tomorrow in which everyone can thrive together without the fear or harm caused by our actions today.
Justice Outside
is a San Francisco Bay Area organization dedicated to creating equitable access to green space for people of color. They provide education about racial justice, develop leadership skills among youth of color, advocate for policy changes that support equitable access to nature-based activities, and more.California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA)
is an organization that works to bring environmental justice to the state of California. Since its creation in 2001 as a grassroots community alliance, CEJA has mobilized thousands of people to fight for strategic political changes.Their mission is to “build the political power of communities of color to promote environmentally and socially just policies in California”.
Greenbelt Alliance
has been working since the 1970s to change current patterns of harmful land use from exurban to urban sprawl. They have achieved successes such as securing millions of dollars more for reentry programs and services with Jobs Not Jails allies in Alameda County, and stopping the construction of a superjail for young people in Alameda County.Asia-Pacific Environmental Network
unites a collective voice to develop an alternative agenda for environmental, social and economic justice, building a progressive foundation in low-income Asian communities.Alameda Urban Forestry Plan
is preparing a comprehensive urban forestry plan for the entire city that will update the city's existing street tree plan and expand the reach to include park trees, trees in easement areas, trees near power lines that are maintained by the Alameda municipal energy, and trees on private and other properties that do not belong to the city of Alameda.Foundation for California
, recognized as a highly effective public policy forum, brings together senior executives from major California corporations and labor leaders from across the state, as well as leading advocates from environmental and consumer organizations. The Foundation meets with legislators and regulatory officials in an environment of unantagonistic cooperation. In Alameda County, environmental organizations are leading equity work that promotes climate justice actions and nature-based solutions in front-line communities led and benefited by people of color. These efforts expand their access to clean air, healthy food, health care and outdoor activities, and advocate for homes and landscapes free of environmental toxins.Predominantly black and Latino residents of western Oakland face worse health outcomes than nearly all other Alameda County residents. The coalitions active in Alameda County are working hard to create equitable access to green space and promote climate justice. By involving communities of color in decision-making processes, movements, and environmental education systems, we can create a brighter future for all. Environmental coalitions are essential for achieving Alameda County's goals related to reducing emissions, increasing quality of life, and adapting to climate change. These organizations are actively working towards creating equitable access to green space while promoting climate justice.
Intersection Environmentalist is challenging systems of oppression while Justice Outside is providing education about racial justice. California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) is mobilizing thousands of people while Greenbelt Alliance is fighting against exurban land use. Asia-Pacific Environmental Network is developing an alternative agenda for environmental justice while Alameda Urban Forestry Plan is preparing a comprehensive urban forestry plan. Finally, Foundation for California is bringing together senior executives from major California corporations with labor leaders from across the state. By involving communities of color in decision-making processes, movements, and environmental education systems we can create a brighter future for all.
Environmental coalitions in Alameda County are leading equity work that promotes climate justice actions and nature-based solutions in front-line communities led by people of color.
