The Executive Leadership Council (ELC)’s Post

I've recently discoveted justice sensitivity, and it's been a revelation! This idea, which involves having a strong reaction to fairness and unfairness, has really shed light on why I feel so passionately about so many things. Growing up, that black and white sense of right and wrong and the overwhelming urge to stand up for the wronged were always there, even before I knew it’s name; I felt the hurt of others, and wanted to fix the world. Often that sensitivity felt like a weakness and a burden, but now I understand it’s power and how it’s just a part of who I am. It drives me to want to be a part of something that makes a difference, to have to know that what I do matters. It’s why I genuinely love my job and our work around tree equity, which isn't just about planting trees; it's about righting the wrongs of environmental injustice and ensuring all communities can enjoy the health, climate, and economic benefits of a green environment. It’s about fairness at its core, about righting the wrongs of those before us, to ensure better tomorrows. #environmentaljustice #treeequity #neurodivergence #fightingfortreesandforpeople

Social justice IS environmental justice. “Environmental hazards disproportionately impact Black, Brown, Indigenous, and low-income people. At the forefront of many environmental movements, these communities deserve clean water, air, land, and basic human resources.” @naacp Housing rights are environmental rights. We all deserve a safe home on a safe planet. We will continue our justice work so Black Americans and other people of color can enjoy a healthy & thriving planet and a safe home. #EarthDay #environmentaljustice #racialjustice #environment #earth #socialjustice #protecttheearth #land #water #air #housingisahumanright #housingjustice #njnonprofit

Honoring environmental justice activists: “Human Rights Heroes: Dr. Robert D. Bullard and Dr. Beverly L. Wright” by Dr. Cynthia Swann describes the work of two groundbreaking environmental advocates and their lasting impacts, particularly on communities of color. Dr. Bullard, often called the "father of environmental justice," exposed the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on Black communities in the South through his influential work, Dumping in Dixie, and co-founded the HBCU Climate Change Consortium. Dr. Wright founded the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, focusing on health disparities in vulnerable Louisiana communities, and created the “communiversity model” for connecting communities and academic institutions. “Dr. Robert D. Bullard and Dr. Beverly L. Wright have transformed the landscape of environmental activism by making profound impacts on communities of color and inspiring future generations to continue their groundbreaking work.” Check out this and other articles surrounding the intersection between Environmental, Energy, and Climate Justice in Volume 50, No. 1/2 of our Human Rights Magazine. Read the article HERE ➡️ https://ow.ly/sXRf50UvkZ8 #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateJustice #HumanRightsHeroes #Activism #SocialJustice #CommunityImpact #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #BlackEnvironmentalists #SustainableCommunities #ClimateChange

Do you know Varshini Prakash? Learn about their work below.

In the heart of Chicago’s South Side, Naomi Davis is pioneering the creation of the Sustainable Square Mile – a walk-to-work, walk-to-shop, walk-to-learn, and walk-to-play village where African Americans own the businesses, own the land, and live the ‘conservation lifestyle’ – where households produce their own energy, grow their own food, clean their own water, and recycle their own waste. Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of her grandmother and Great Migration families who laid the foundation for thriving Black communities across America, Naomi aims to reinvent underserved places today using their 8 Principles of Green-Village-Building and opportunities in the new green economy to increase household income and build community resilience. Through her initiative, Blacks in Green is advancing human rights through affordable utility scale solar and community geothermal energy; green infrastructure balance through gardens, greenways, and reforestation; homeownership through next generation affordable housing; and community wealth-building through heritage tourism. With a $10 million grant from the Biden Administration, she’s championing environmental justice for Black communities across the Midwest. To learn more about her incredible vision, visit our Climate Justice Solutions Storybank! Link here: https://lnkd.in/dqFGJHgY #TheSolutionsProject #DecadeOfSolutions #LetsCreateTheFuture

What does it take to be a responsible citizen? In this thought-provoking video, @WeareOnaDsgn delve into the essence of responsible citizenship. As a society, we face numerous challenges, and it's crucial to recognize our collective responsibility. From environmental stewardship to empathy and community engagement, being a responsible citizen involves more than just following rules-it's about actively contributing to positive change. Link 🔗https://lnkd.in/dmzs8r8y

With school back in session, it’s important that we collectively help raise today’s children to be tomorrow’s environmental advocates. Teaching them about the environment from an early age can help ensure they will take care of our planet for decades to come. Here are 12 ways you can help kids learn more about and grow to appreciate the natural world: https://bit.ly/3XyKKgz

Last Thursday, I presented on #LGBTQIA+ livelihoods, #publichealth, and #disasters at Boston University School of Social Work's Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series. Social workers are often first responders during disaster-related crises and their clients experience environmental justice issues such as food deserts, lead poisoning, air pollution, and extreme weather events. Yet, they may not be equipped with information and tools necessary to attend to issues like #climatechange that: 1) are not solely environmental; 2) are not exclusively local; and 3) vary across space and in context. Addressing how LGBTQIA+ social marginalization plays a role in disaster response and preparedness is crucial to better supporting the community. A big thanks to Greer Hamilton, PhD, MSW for her support, as well as to OUT for Sustainability board members Leo Goldsmith and Vanessa Raditz for their research on LGBTQIA+ discrimination and bias during disasters.

Community listening is an art! I am happy to share Garfield Bowen, 3M's VP of Social & Environmental Justice, on the importance of #trust in #communityEngagement. Garfield outlines a trust-based model of Listening, Understanding, and Acting to build stronger relationships and drive meaningful change. #SocialJustice #3Mer #CommunityResilience https://bit.ly/41tb7YL

As we commemorate Juneteenth, we're reminded of justice and equity's pivotal role in society, including our stewardship of the environment. At EGLE, environmental and climate justice are central to our mission as we strive to ensure all Michigan communities, especially historically marginalized groups, benefit equitably from our environmental initiatives. Our efforts include robust community engagement, targeted grant programs, and partnerships to address disparities in environmental health and access to clean air, water, and green spaces. We are committed to mitigating climate change impacts that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and fostering resilient communities statewide. As we commemorate Juneteenth, let's reaffirm our commitment to advancing justice in all its forms and work together to create a more equitable and sustainable future for Michigan. Learn more about our initiatives: https://lnkd.in/gpkDewt3 #EnvironmentalJustice #Juneteenth