E2. Front Line Community Green

On February 5th, the Just Transition Alliance will join our comrades at the Labor Network for Sustainability (LNS) to celebrate the birthday of Rosa Parks with a Transit Equity Day of Action!

The COVID pandemic and recovery forever changed how communities function, work, socialize, and commute.  It also showed very clearly how public transit is critical to the lives of millions across the country.  Essential workers depend on and operate transit, small local businesses depend on transit, and historically marginalized communities depend on transit.  Transit is a key component of economic recovery and environmental sustainability, and it is a path to equity for isolated and under-invested urban, suburban, and rural communities.

But for far too long, policymakers in Washington have prioritized highways and cars over public transit.  This has devastating impacts not only for the climate crisis but for municipal budgets as well.  New legislation introduced in January by Congressman Hank Johnson from the Atlanta area would change that. The bill, “Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act,” will boost high-quality transit across the country by creating a new federal grant program available to all transit agencies to increase service frequency and dependability, thereby reducing wait times, expanding hours, and adding new lines to underserved communities.

For decades, the federal government has subsidized the cost of shipping and aviation.  Today, public transit is essential to workers and businesses – it is high time for Washington to treat it as such!  While Congress has taken some limited steps forward in recent years, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this bill would provide crucial funding that would fill budget shortfalls currently experienced by numerous transit agencies.  These agencies, valuable public resources that are often among the largest employers in their areas, are powerful drivers of economic growth, jobs, and opportunity for tens of millions of people in the US, from small rural towns to major urban centers.  Every dollar invested in transit offers a 5-to-1 return, and every $1 billion invested in public transit produces 50,000 jobs.  As we have previously stated, investment in transit infrastructure presents opportunities for huge expansions in good union jobs, reduced dependence on personal vehicles dramatically improves quality of life in many neighborhoods, and fare-free transit services can increase equity for marginalized communities while actually reducing overall costs.

We also know that the climate crisis is here now, impacting our economy and nearly every aspect of our daily lives.  Investing in public transit is a powerful way to help address the climate crisis on the scale required.  It is a crucial part of the systemic changes that we need to build a new paradigm that improves the lives of workers and the environment.  Everyone fighting for real solutions for climate justice agrees on the need for widely-available, clean, free public transit.  Ambitious investment in transit by policymakers would be a win-win, for the economy and for the climate crisis.

We encourage all of our followers and allies to organize local events on February 5th.  See the LNS website for organizing tools and register your action or view other actions on the campaign page.

O conteúdo Transit Equity Day of Action! aparece primeiro em Just Transition Alliance.

The fight to end the era of fossil fuels is ramping up, along with efforts to build towards more democratic, just, non-extractive energy sources and systems. Feminist climate justice advocates have a vital role to play – especially as policymakers seek answers to the question “what comes next?” after fossil fuels.

We need to build energy systems that are renewable, democratic and better serve the needs of communities, in the US and worldwide. We must offer repair for energy injustices that have harmed communities of color, low income communities, and communities of the Global South – as people have been denied equitable access to energy while also facing harms from the pollution, environmental degradation, and the wars and occupations of fossil fuel extraction and destructive energy sourcing. We know we must transition off of fossil fuels, and we must build our set of resources to guide and shape what comes after.

An end to fossil fuel development and use is a feminist priority, with serious implications for sexual and reproductive health and rights. From extraction to worsening climate change impacts, fossil fuel pollution is linked with infertility, fibroids and other reproductive diseases, serious illnesses in pregnancy, mental health harms and preterm birth, stillbirth and other adverse health outcomes. Communities of color and other marginalized communities that already face unjust inequities in health outcomes are hit the hardest. 

In the energy infrastructure conversation in the US, a gendered and global justice framing is often missing. This leaves us open to the danger of reproducing and entrenching the harms of our current energy systems in an energy renewable era, especially as the threats rise of new resource wars and rights violations over lithium and other elements used in green technologies. We must not miss the opportunity to strengthen and accelerate more globally just, feminist approaches to the energy transition.

We must build on the existing frameworks and expertise that have been offered by Indigenous, Black, and disability justice movements globally, interlinking those and bridging their recommendations into US policy spaces. 

As the global mobilization to end the era of fossil fuels accelerates, the Feminist Green New Deal Coalition will create space for feminist climate justice advocates to gather their core, actionable principles for just and feminist energy transitions – and to channel those recommendations into US climate policymaking.

Join us in winter 2023 and early 2024 for virtual exchange sessions to discuss and gather principles and recommendations on a just, feminist energy transition. In these sessions, we will weave together our analysis and experience responding to questions like:

• Why should feminists be committed to ending the fossil fuel era? Why is a just energy transition a feminist issue? 
• Why is an intersectional analysis of race, gender, class and global justice critical for building a more just energy system? (production & use)
• What are the core tenets of a feminist, just and equitable energy system in the US? What are we building?
• How must our transition address repair for past harms and injustices in the current energy system?

The Feminist Green New Deal Coalition will gather the outputs of these discussions to inform a written report, campaign, briefing – to be determined – for distribution to US policymakers and movement partners.

To indicate your interest in this exploration and/or recommendations for additional folks to reach out to who may be interested in these conversations, please share here and stay tuned for more updates.

Justicia Energética Feminista: invitación y declaración de intenciones de la Coalición del FemGND y una invitación

La lucha para terminar con la era de los combustibles fósiles está cobrando más fuerza al igual que los esfuerzos dedicados a construir fuentes de energía y sistemas no extractivos justos y más democráticos. Las personas activistas de la justicia climática feminista juegan un papel vital, principalmente ocupando el rol de desarrolladores de políticas que buscan responder a la pregunta “¿qué sigue?” luego de los combustibles fósiles.

Necesitamos construir un sistema de energía que sea renovable, democrático y supla las necesidades de las comunidades, tanto en Estados Unidos como a nivel mundial. Debemos ofrecer reparaciones por las injusticias energéticas que sufren las comunidades de color, las de bajos ingresos y las del sur global. Entre estas injusticias a las que se enfrentan, además de que se les niega el acceso igualitario a la energía, se encuentran los daños a causa de la contaminación, la degradación ambiental y las guerras y ocupaciones por la extracción de los combustibles fósiles y las fuentes destructivas de energía. Debemos transicionar y dejar atrás los combustibles fósiles y construir un conjunto propio de recursos para guiar y darle forma a lo que viene después.

Es una prioridad feminista terminar con el desarrollo y el uso de los combustibles fósiles y, a su vez, evaluar las implicancias sustanciales que éstos tienen sobre los derechos sexuales y de salud reproductiva. Desde la extracción hasta el empeoramiento de los impactos del cambio climático, la contaminación de los combustibles fósiles se vincula con la infertilidad, fibromas y enfermedades de reproducción, graves enfermedades durante el embarazo, afecciones de salud mental, nacimientos prematuros, fetos muertos y otros efectos perjudiciales para la salud. Las comunidades de color y otras comunidades marginadas que ya enfrentan desigualdades injustas relacionadas con la salud son las más afectadas.

En la conversación en relación a la infraestructura energética en EE. UU., por lo general falta un marco de justicia global y con perspectiva de género. Esto nos deja expuestas al peligro de reproducir y fortificar los daños de los sistemas energéticos actuales en una era de energía renovable, especialmente en la medida en que aumentan las amenazas sobre nuevas guerras por los recursos y violaciones de derechos por el uso de litio y otros elementos que se utilizan para las tecnologías verdes. No podemos perder la oportunidad de fortalecer y acelerar el desarrollo de enfoques más justos y feministas a nivel mundial para lograr la transición energética.

Tenemos que construir sobre los marcos y las experiencias ya existentes brindadas por movimientos globales de justicia indígena, negra, y de discapacidad. Debemos vincularlos y acercar sus recomendaciones en los espacios de desarrollo de políticas de EE. UU.

A medida que la movilización global acelera el fin de la era de los combustibles fósiles, la Coalición Feminista del Green New Deal crea un espacio para las personas activistas de la justicia climática feminista con el objetivo de unificar los principios esenciales y de acción para que las transiciones energéticas sean feministas y justas, asi como también para comunicar esas recomendaciones en los espacios de desarrollo de políticas climáticas en EE. UU.

Acompáñanos en el invierno 2023 y principios de 2024 en sesiones virtuales de intercambio para debatir y unificar principios y recomendaciones sobre una transición energética justa y feminista. Durante estas sesiones, debatiremos con el objetivo de dilucidar en conjunto nuestro análisis y experiencia en respuesta a preguntas tales como:

• ¿Por qué las personas feministas deben comprometerse a terminar con la era de combustibles fósiles? ¿Por qué es una problemática feminista una transición energética justa?
• ¿Por qué un análisis interseccional de raza, género, clase, y justicia global es fundamental para construir un sistema energético más justo? (producción y uso)
• ¿Cuál es el dogma principal de un sistema energético igualitario, justo y feminista en EE. UU.? ¿Qué estamos construyendo?
• ¿De qué manera nuestra transición debe abordar las reparaciones por los daños e injusticias en el sistema de energía actual?

La Coalición Feminista del Green New Deal reunirá las contribuciones sobre estos debates para redactar un informe escrito, una campaña, un documento (a determinar) para su difusión entre las personas encargadas de desarrollar las políticas en EE. UU. y los movimientos asociados.

Para indicar su interés en esta elaboración o para recomendar la participación  de colegas que puedan tener interés de participar y deseen comunicarse, haga clic aquí para compartir y manténgase al tanto de actualizaciones.

The post 10 Year Anniversary Video appeared first on Climate Justice Alliance.

Good news, we are on the brink of passing a groundbreaking resolution that includes all our language for the Workforce & Environmental Justice resolution item on the Ava Community Energy agenda for Wednesday, January 17 at 6:00pm.

The Workforce & EJ agenda item with resolution language is here. Full agenda and agency meeting details are here.

For several months we have been collaborating with several unions and workforce & environmental organizations to advocate for strong workforce and environmental justice resolution language. We advocated for prioritizing local clean energy jobs and inclusion of equity priority hiring and opportunities for small local and emerging businesses.

The unity of labor, workforce & environmental justice plus the community comments/pressure at the Ava Community Energy agency meetings on Dec. 20th & Nov. 9th has been effective to get some key language back on the table. We need more pressure to get all Ava Community Energy board members to vote in favor of this resolution.

Send a message to the board: Support a yes vote for the Workforce & Environmental Justice resolution Ava Community Energy “Board of Directors,” item 11 for 01/17/2024 here: http://tinyurl.com/VoteYesforWorkforceEJ2024

Request for Community Organizations to sign-on: Can your organization sign-on to this letter with the updated & finalized resolution language?
If yes, please fill out this form here by 5:30pm Wednesday, January 17 to include your organizational sign-on.

Background

Webinar: December 6, 2023 Webinar: Local Advocates Sets the Standard for Community Choice Energy Agencies on Workforce and Environmental Justice
Featuring California Environmental Justice Alliance, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 595 + more.

Letter: November 7, 2023 Letter + table addressing language dropped by Ava Community Energy staff

Email jessica@localcleanenergy.org for more information

Background on East Bay Clean Power Alliance's establishment of Ava Community Energy (formerly East Bay Community Energy).
In 2016 the East Bay Clean Power Alliance won a commitment from the Alameda County board of Supervisors to establish an East Bay Community Choice energy agency now known as Ava Community Energy, that replaces PG&E in providing electricity.  East Bay Clean Power Alliance demanded the establishment of the Local Development Business Plan (LDBP), a plan for how to create green new deal benefits in the territory it serves.


Alameda and San Joaquin County's Community Choice energy agency
In 2018, the Ava Community Energy agency began providing electricity and adopted the Local Development Business Plan. The cities powered are Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, Union City and Tracy. The unincorporated areas of Alameda County (including Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, San Lorenzo, and Sunol) . Soon to include other San Joaquin county cities of Stockton, Lathrop and more.
 

The Environmental Protection Agency announced $600 million in grants through the 2023 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) Program. The EJ TCGM Program was created to reduce barriers to the application process and increase the efficiency of the awards process for environmental justice grants.

Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) was selected to receive a $50 million grant for its UNITE-EJ (United Network for Impact, Transformation, & Equity in Environmental Justice Communities) application and to serve as a National Grantmaker for EJ TCCGM to provide support to the Western United States (EPA Regions 8-10). CJA led and submitted the UNITE-EJ proposal with skilled and highly-respected partners: The Chisholm Legacy Project, NDN Collective, Fund for Frontline Power, JustFund, Amalgamated Foundation, Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School, and the Center for the Urban Environment at Kean University. CJA and UNITE-EJ are excited and ready to serve as a bridge, model, and catalyst among organizations nationwide to confront the legacy of environmental harms; strengthen the environmental justice movement; mitigate the effects of climate change; support frontline communities in enacting their localized visions for thriving communities; and pilot co-governance between the EPA and frontline communities hit first and worst by environmental injustice and the climate crisis.

“This is a key milestone for Chisholm Legacy Project and Climate Justice Alliance in our respective journeys to ensure the arc bends toward justice and systems change, particularly around the vast resources at the disposal of the government. We look forward to ensuring that thousands of $150,000 to $350,000 EPA grants move to marginalized, environmental justice communities to address historic harms.” -Jacqueline Patterson, Founder and Executive Director, The Chisholm Legacy Project

“The climate and environmental investments through the Inflation Reduction Act implemented over the next few years will set the groundwork for generations to come. We are excited to partner with UNITE-EJ to ensure that Native communities can access EPA grants, including through Thriving Communities, lead with vision and experience, and move policymakers, tribal governments, and grassroots communities to not only dream but also lean into sovereignty.” -Nick Tilsen, President and CEO, NDN Collective

“Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) and Communities First Fund were central in pulling environmental justice organizations and their trusted allies together from across the country to help us understand this historic opportunity. Through their leadership, resources, and hours of technical assistance and support, we at Alternatives for Community and Environment (a CJA member) were able to submit our own application for EPA Region 1 with lead applicant Health Resources in Action and other trusted partners. We also were awarded a $50 million grant – a transformative milestone and just the beginning of investment in environmental justice communities and our visions for local, regenerative economies.” -Dwaign Tyndal, Executive Director, Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE), and Board Member, Climate Justice Alliance

“The UNITE-EJ’s successful application and approach offers a unique opportunity for the EPA to not only meet their Justice40 commitment, but also create room for community-led and accountable institutions to use their infrastructure and trust in communities to support BIPOC leaders on the frontlines of the climate crisis to lead with vision and ample resources.” -Marion Gee, Co-Executive Director, Climate Justice Alliance

“JustFund is proud to partner with CJA and UNITE-EJ to ensure the application process for thousands of frontline environmental justice organizations is values-aligned and streamlined through our common application platform saving applicants dozens of hours and democratizing access to hundreds of additional funding opportunities.” -Iara Peng, Founder and CEO, JustFund

“The Tishman Center at The New School is honored to be in deep collaboration with the UNITE-EJ partners to implement this historic co-governance model and ensure that frontline environmental justice organizations get the support and investments they need to implement transformative environmental solutions on the ground and throughout the western United States.” -Dr. Ana Baptista, Associate Professor & Co-Director, Tishman Environment & Design Center at The New School

The post CJA, Members, and Partners Receive $50 Million Award from EPA appeared first on Climate Justice Alliance.

Photo by Michael Malcom, The People’s Justice Council

Climate justice calls upon us to wage love for people and the planet. In the name of life, freedom, and Mother Earth. Climate Justice Alliance member groups organized and participated in protests and webinars, distributed artwork, circulated the Climate Community pledge and shared a video from an anti-colonial framework to show how Climate Justice and the liberation of Palestine are connected. Visit ClimateJusticeAlliance.org/Palestine for more info

The post Palestine Is a Climate Justice Issue appeared first on Climate Justice Alliance.

The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) convened from November 30 to December 12, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates. Check out the COP28 page for photos, report backs and videos.

The post COP28 in the United Arab Emirates appeared first on Climate Justice Alliance.

¡Basura cero es posible, basura cero es ahora!

Mientras las comunidades de todo el mundo se enfrentan a los crecientes retos de la gestión de residuos y la degradación del medio ambiente, el Mes Internacional Basura Cero (IZWM, por sus siglas en inglés) 2024 ocupa un lugar central, ofreciendo soluciones prácticas a la creciente crisis.  Bajo el lema “#EligeReutilizar: Un camino hacia un futuro justo y basura cero”, el mes basura cero de este año hace hincapié en el papel fundamental de la reutilización en la promoción de la equidad social y medioambiental.

A diferencia de los plásticos de un solo uso, la reutilización es un sistema que diseña intencionadamente productos y envases para múltiples ciclos de vida. En esencia, la reutilización ofrece ventajas económicas y reduce significativamente el impacto ambiental. 

La urgencia de pasar a sistemas de reutilización se hace aún más evidente si se tiene en cuenta que alrededor de un tercio de los envases de plástico termina en el medio ambiente. Los sistemas de reutilización pueden reducir la contaminación por plásticos en un 30% de aquí a 2040.

El mes internacional basura cero también se enfrenta a falsas soluciones, como la incineración de residuos  (Waste to energy) y los créditos de plástico, considerados peligrosos para el medio ambiente y la salud, carecen de escalabilidad y no abordan la causa fundamental de la contaminación por plástico.

En respuesta, basura cero surge como una solución basada en la ciencia, que aboga por abandonar las tecnologías nocivas de gestión de residuos y adoptar estrategias como la reutilización, la reparación, la separación adecuada de los residuos y el compostaje.

Basura cero no sólo aborda los problemas medioambientales, sino que también crea más oportunidades de sustento. Un informe de GAIA revela que las actividades de basura cero generan más empleos verdes en comparación con la gestión tradicional de residuos, ofreciendo salarios más altos y puestos más permanentes.

Además, basura cero defiende principios que garanticen un cambio justo hacia prácticas que aborden las disparidades sociales en la gestión de residuos, especialmente las que afectan a las comunidades vulnerables. La campaña pretende inculcar un sentido de responsabilidad global, instando a las empresas a abandonar las prácticas perjudiciales y a los responsables políticos a situar a los recicladores y trabajadores en el centro de los debates sobre asuntos que influyen en su sustento y su bienestar.

Reconociendo la importancia de los recicladores y su papel en la protección del medio ambiente, el mes basura cero destaca la necesidad de proporcionarles las herramientas necesarias para abogar por su trabajo. Se hace hincapié en esta transición justa, caracterizada por la transparencia, la inclusión y la equidad, para garantizar que nadie quede excluido, beneficiando a la sociedad y al medio ambiente.

“Los recicladores están a la vanguardia de la gestión de residuos.  Tenemos que seguir su ejemplo”, afirma Froilan Grate, Coordinador Regional de GAIA para Asia Pacífico. “Los recicladores y otros trabajadores informales desempeñan un papel crucial en el ahorro de recursos y la reducción de residuos. Cuando hablamos de una ‘transición justa’, destacamos la importancia de los recicladores en los debates políticos, reconocemos su experiencia como contribuyentes críticos a la conservación de recursos y la reducción de residuos, y tenemos que asegurarnos de que nadie se quede atrás.”

Para ilustrar que la estrategia basura cero es una solución viable, el Mes internacional basura cero presenta numerosas organizaciones de base, alianzas nacionales y regionales, así como ciudades de todo el mundo que han implantado con éxito sistemas de basura cero, han rechazado las incineradoras WtE y han combatido la contaminación por plásticos.

A lo largo de todo el mes se desarrollarán diversas actividades, como talleres, presentación de casos de reutilización, proyecciones de películas y debates públicos. El programa de todo el mes se divide en temas semanales:

• Semana 1 (1-7 enero): Lanzamiento.  6 de enero: Día sin desechables.
• Semana  2 (8-14 enero): Barreras para alcanzar basura cero 
• Semana  3 (15-21 enero): Soluciones  
• Semana  4 (22-28 de enero): Falsas soluciones  
• Semana  5 (29-31 de enero): Líderes basura cero  

La invitación es a adoptar los principios de basura cero y trabajar en conjunto por un futuro sostenible, rechazando las falsas soluciones y defendiendo planteamientos integradores basados en la ciencia. Así podremos construir un mundo en el que se minimicen los residuos, se mejoren los medios de subsistencia y prospere nuestro entorno común. Basura cero no es sólo un concepto, es posible y es ahora.

Para ver la lista completa de eventos, visite el micrositio: http://zwmonth.zerowaste.asia

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Mes internacional basura cero

Las celebraciones del Mes Basura Cero se originaron en Filipinas en 2012, cuando un grupo de líderes de la juventud publicaron un Manifiesto juvenil basura cero en el que pedían, entre otras cosas, la celebración de un Mes Basura Cero. Esto se hizo oficial cuando se emitió la Proclamación Presidencial nº 760, que declaraba enero como el Mes basura cero en Filipinas. Las ONG y las comunidades que ya habían adoptado este enfoque para gestionar sus residuos lo promovieron ampliamente. En 2023, GAIA celebró el 1er Mes Internacional de Basura Cero con más de 200 actividades en Asia Pacífico y otras partes del mundo.

Contacto medios:

Camila Aguilera | +56 9 51111599 | camila@no-burn.org

Sobre GAIA:

GAIA es una red de grupos de base y alianzas nacionales y regionales que representan a más de 1.000 organizaciones de 92 países. Con nuestro trabajo pretendemos catalizar un cambio global hacia la justicia ambiental fortaleciendo los movimientos sociales de base que promueven soluciones a los residuos y la contaminación. Imaginamos un mundo justo,  basura cero, basado en el respeto de los límites ecológicos y los derechos de las comunidades, donde las personas estén libres de los problemas de la contaminación tóxica y los recursos se conserven de forma sostenible, no se incineren ni se desperdicien. www.no-burn.org

The post Elige reutilizar: Un camino hacia un futuro justo y basura cero  first appeared on GAIA.

The post Elige reutilizar: Un camino hacia un futuro justo y basura cero  appeared first on GAIA.

El proyecto ya fue conocido en el Senado, y organizaciones como GAIA expresan su preocupación de que esas enmiendas sean aprobadas también en la Cámara de Diputados. 

La Comisión Ambiental de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), la Alianza Global para Alternativas a la Incineración (GAIA), y otras 17 organizaciones defensoras de los recursos naturales y los derechos ambientales expresaron su objeción a las modificaciones aprobadas por el Senado a Ley 225-20 sobre Gestión Integral y Coprocesamiento de Residuos Sólidos; y al mismo tiempo plantearon la prohibición inmediata de plásticos de un solo uso.

Por medio de una carta depositada en la Cámara de Diputados, donde actualmente se encuentra el proyecto, las organizaciones firmantes proponen impulsar una modificación en la cual se tome en cuenta el establecimiento de un plazo razonable, de no más de dos años, para prohibir la producción y comercialización de poliestireno expandido (foam), solvetes de plásticos, y todos los artículos plásticos denominados de un solo uso.

Darío Solano, coordinador de la Red de Estudios y Empoderamiento Afrodescendiente (REDAFROS), al entregar la carta a los diputados José Horacio Rodríguez y Pedro Martínez, expuso que los plásticos biodegradables no propician un medio ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado.

“Al contrario de lo que se cree, los plásticos biodegradables en realidad contienen las mismas sustancias tóxicas que los plásticos convencionales (se calculan alrededor de 3.000 sustancias tóxicas existentes en los plásticos convencionales), pero además contienen sustancias que hacen que se transformen en microplásticos más rápidamente, liberando todo su contenido tóxico al ambiente de manera más rápida que los plásticos convencionales”, agregó.

Al recibir la carta, los citados diputados, que pertenecen a la comisión de medios ambiente de la Cámara de Diputados se comprometieron a canalizar esas inquietudes durante la revisión del proyecto. 

La carta es firmada además por: Coalición Ambiental del Noroeste (COANOR), Fundación Voces del Camú, Red de Estudios y Empoderamiento Afrodescendientes (REDAFRO), Fundación De Regreso Consciente al Campo, Junta de Asociación de Campesinos (JACASA), Coalición Ambiental del Este, Red Socioambiental de la República Dominicana y Comunidad Sana.

También por el Observatorio Nacional para la Protección del Consumidor (ONPECO), Instituto de Abogados para la Protección del Medio Ambiente (INSAPROMA), Observatorio de Políticas Públicas de la UASD, Sociedad Ecológica de San Cristóbal Amigos de la Cuevas del Pomier, Justicia Climática, Coordinadora de Juntas de Vecinos “Santiago Castro” y Haina Iniciativa para Envejecer Feliz -Taita Mae-

En cuanto a la modificación del artículo 7, donde se obligaría a los productores, importadores y comercializadores del fon a desarrollar un sistema de gestión de residuos para el aprovechamiento y valorización en combustible y energía, las organizaciones firmantes de la carta advierten que el aprovechamiento y valorización en combustible y energía del polietileno expandido (fon o foam), solo puede lograrse a través de la incineración, ya sea con tecnología de incineración en masa o de pirólisis.

Señalan que “ambas tecnologías, así como todas las formas de incineración, generan sustancias tóxicas dañinas para la salud de las personas y el ambiente. Dentro de las más preocupantes se encuentran las dioxinas, los furanos, y metales pesados”, puntualizan.

Sostienen que esos tres tipos de sustancias son promotoras de cáncer y otros problemas graves a la salud. Agregan que las dioxinas en específico, son las sustancias más cancerígenas conocidas por la ciencia, ya que estos tres tipos de sustancias son bioacumulables, es decir, se acumulan en los cuerpos de los seres vivos durante todo el tiempo de exposición a los contaminantes.

“Luego estas sustancias se biomagnifican, es decir, aumentan su concentración a medida que se mueven en la cadena trófica (de alimentación). Esto significa que las concentraciones de los contaminantes bioacumulados aumentan progresivamente desde los vegetales hacia los animales herbívoros hacia los animales omnívoros y carnívoros”, explican en la carta.

Expresan que los lactantes son quienes reciben las dosis más concentradas de estos contaminantes ya que tienden a adherirse a la materia grasa, componente fundamental de la leche materna. Por tanto, dicen que es completamente desaconsejable establecer la incineración en cualquiera de sus formas como método de gestión de residuos, especialmente cuando se trata de cualquier tipo de plástico.

“La incineración de plásticos (incluyendo los pirólisis para la obtención de combustible) atenta contra los derechos a la salud, a la integridad física y psíquica, a vivir en un ambiente sano y equilibrado, entre otros derechos consagrados en el derecho internacional. Atenta también contra lo establecido en la Constitución de la República Dominicana sobre el deber del Estado de preservar y proteger el ambiente en provecho de las presentes y futuras generaciones”, detalla la carta.

Solano, dijo que la mayor preocupación de las organizaciones es que, a pesar de la buena voluntad de los honorables legisladores, este tipo de iniciativas puedan ser utilizadas como bajadero por ciertos sectores industriales que procuraron -y continúan procurando- que en el país no se lo ponga plazo definitivo para la eliminación en la producción y comercialización de este tipo de plásticos llamados “de un solo uso” y cuyos daños a nuestros ecosistemas está más que demostrado.

Llaman a imponer la reducción gradual de las compras de envases desechables no reciclables en los organismos del Estado Dominicano.  Estos estarían obligados a incluir un 20% de empaques renovables o reciclables en el primer año y aumentarlo gradualmente hasta el 100% en el tercer año. Con esa simple medida se daría un gran impulso a la industria local de envases biodegradables o reutilizables.

The post República Dominicana | Organizaciones locales e internacionales se oponen a modificación de Ley 225-20 y plantean prohibición plásticos de un solo uso  first appeared on GAIA.

The post República Dominicana | Organizaciones locales e internacionales se oponen a modificación de Ley 225-20 y plantean prohibición plásticos de un solo uso  appeared first on GAIA.

Zero Waste Is Possible. Zero Waste Is Now!

January 3, 2024 –  As communities worldwide grapple with the escalating challenges of waste management and environmental degradation, International Zero Waste Month (IZWM) 2024 takes center stage, offering practical solutions to the escalating crisis.  Under the theme “#ChooseReuse: A Pathway for a Just Zero Waste Future”, this year’s IZWM emphasizes the pivotal role of reuse in forwarding social and environmental equity.

In contrast to single-use plastics (SUPs), reuse is a system that intentionally designs products and packaging for multiple lifecycles. At its core, reuse offers economic benefits and significantly reduces environmental impact. 

The urgency to shift towards reuse becomes even more apparent when considering that around a third of plastic packaging leaks into the environment. With reuse systems, there is a potential to cut plastic pollution by 30 percent by 2040.

IZWM also confronts false solutions to the crisis, such as waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration and plastic credits, which are deemed environmental and health hazards, lacking scalability and failing to address the root cause of plastic pollution.

In response, Zero Waste emerges as a science-based solution, advocating for a departure from harmful waste management technologies and adopting strategies such as reuse, repair, proper waste segregation, and composting.

Zero Waste not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates more livelihood opportunities. A GAIA report reveals that Zero Waste activities generate more green jobs compared to traditional waste management, offering higher wages and more permanent positions.

Moreover, Zero Waste champions principles that ensure a fair shift towards practices that address social disparities in waste management, particularly those affecting vulnerable communities. The campaign aims to instill a sense of global responsibility, urging businesses to abandon harmful practices and policymakers to put waste pickers and workers at the center of the discussions on matters that influence their livelihoods and well-being.

Recognizing the importance of waste pickers and their role in environmental protection, the IZWM highlights the need to provide them with the tools to advocate for their communities. This just transition, characterized by transparency, inclusivity, and equity, is emphasized to ensure that no one is excluded, benefiting both society and the environment.  

“Waste pickers are at the forefront of waste management.  We need to recognize their contributions and make sure they are part of the conversations,” says GAIA Asia Pacific Regional Director, Froilan Grate. “Waste pickers and other informal workers play a crucial role in saving resources and reducing waste. When we talk about a ‘just transition,’ we stress the importance of waste pickers in policy discussions, we recognize their expertise as critical contributors to resource conservation and waste reduction, and we have to ensure that no one is left behind.”

To illustrate Zero Waste as a viable solution, IZWM showcases numerous grassroots groups, national and regional alliances, as well as cities worldwide that have successfully implemented Zero Waste systems, rejected WtE incinerators, and combated plastic pollution.

Throughout the month-long event, a diverse array of activities will unfold, including workshops, Reuse Tours, film screenings, and public discussions. The schedule for the entire month is divided into weekly themes:

• WEEK 1: Launch (Jan 1-5)
• WEEK 2: BARRIERS TO ZERO WASTE (Jan 6-12): #RefuseSingleUse
• WEEK 3: SOLUTIONS WEEK (Jan 13-19): #ChooseReuse Week 
• WEEK 4: FALSE SOLUTIONS WEEK (Jan 20-26): #NoBurn, #NoTrashTalk #LessPlasticMoreLife
• WEEK 5: HUMANS OF ZERO WASTE (Jan 27-31): #JustTransition

As we navigate the month’s diverse array of activities, let us embrace the principles of Zero Waste and work together towards a sustainable future. By rejecting false solutions and championing inclusive, science-based approaches, we can build a world where waste is minimized, livelihoods are enhanced, and our shared environment thrives. Zero Waste is not just a concept; it is possible and it is now.

For a full list of events, check out our microsite: http://zwmonth.zerowaste.asia

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The International Zero Waste Month

Zero Waste Month celebrations originated in the Philippines in 2012 when youth leaders issued a Zero Waste Youth Manifesto calling for, among other things, the celebration of a Zero Waste Month. This was made official when Presidential Proclamation No. 760 was issued, declaring January as Zero Waste Month in the Philippines. It was then promoted widely by NGOs and communities that had already adopted this approach to manage their waste. In 2023, GAIA celebrated the 1st International Zero Waste Month with over 200 activities in Asia Pacific and other parts of the globe. 

The post Choose Reuse: A Pathway for a Just Zero Waste Future first appeared on GAIA.

The post Choose Reuse: A Pathway for a Just Zero Waste Future appeared first on GAIA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2023
Contact: Sumeet Bal, Director of Communications, sbal@publicadvocates.org, 917.647.1952

“What’s my reaction to the governor’s proposed budget? It’s a mixed bag. On the one hand, it is unprecedented to have such a large budget deficit and not see deep cuts to social services and education like we experienced in prior decades. This is key when so many Californians are hurting. I also commend Governor Newsom for continuing to prioritize advancing equity in our education system. On the other hand, the housing crisis is enormous and requires much bolder state intervention.

While the governor’s proposed $1 billion investment to address homelessness and his emphasis on accountability for local housing decisions are steps in the right direction, greater state assistance is desperately needed to provide relief to both unhoused people and rent-burdened households at risk of homelessness. Many of our transit systems are also running out of operating funds and will be forced to slash service when vulnerable residents need it most unless the state provides assistance. We look forward to partnering with the governor and our legislative leaders on advancing more comprehensive solutions in the final budget.”

San Francisco—Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his proposed $297 billion state budget for this year amidst a challenging $22.5 billion deficit. After a few years of disrupted learning that has most negatively impacted high-need students and students of color, it is important that the governor proposes to maintain the State’s commitment to education equity.

Despite the economic decline, Public Advocates is pleased that the governor proposes no cuts in the budget to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) or school transformation efforts and that, overall, LCFF is proposed to receive a $4.2 billion increase. “We applaud the governor for protecting investments to establish and expand racially just and relationship-centered community schools, create a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce, expand learning opportunities and recovery, and support youth behavioral health,” said Erin Apte, Senior Legislative Counsel.  

We are pleased to see the governor’s proposal establish an ongoing $300 million “LCFF Equity Multiplier” for schools with the most concentrated poverty, which is intended to increase support for students who have been historically marginalized by our education system, especially Black and Brown students. We understand these funds would go to school districts and counties to spend on school sites with 90% or more student populations eligible for “free meals” (85% for high schools) to improve outcomes for low-performing student groups (red or orange on the CA School Dashboard), and attract and retain more fully prepared teachers. “This is an important investment that would double-down on improving opportunities and closing gaps at our state’s lowest-income schools. We’re particularly pleased to see the funds focus on improving teacher quality at the neediest school sites,” said John Affeldt, Managing Attorney and Director of Education Equity at Public Advocates. 

We also applaud the Governor’s proposal to update the State’s public school accountability system. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Local Control Funding Formula and the new multiple measures/continuous improvement accountability system alongside it. “Ten years in, the accountability system is due for an update to better ensure resources are allocated based on student needs and services are effective in closing opportunity and outcome gaps,” Affeldt said. “In seeking to be more intentional about closing equity gaps at the school level for Black and Brown students and Multilingual Learners, the Administration is starting the right conversation. We look forward to working with the Administration and the Legislature to fulfill the equity promises of LCFF.”

Higher Education 

During a year with a large deficit, we are pleased that the governor continued his commitment to the multi-year compacts with UC and CSU, and the multi-year roadmap with the California Community Colleges. This commitment is necessary to ensure we move toward the 70% attainment goal set by these agreements. 

California Community Colleges 

“Retention of community college students continues to trouble the segment,” said Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton, Director of Higher Education. “This budget includes an additional $200 million to address retention and recruitment. We urge the Administration and the Community Colleges to partner with student-led and community organizations to climb out of the 16% enrollment drop and begin to see gains in matriculation, persistence and completion.”  

We also look forward to working with the Administration and the Community Colleges to ensure that any proposed “ flexibility” in reporting requirements–should a college district make progress towards the roadmap goals–is balanced with transparency and accountability metrics to ensure equitable outcomes for students .  

Student Housing 

Housing is one of the major costs of attending college and can serve as a significant barrier to completion. With 1 out of 5 community college students reporting housing insecurity, timely investment in student housing is more critical than ever. “Despite proposed delays in funding, we are pleased that the Governor is maintaining his commitment toward building affordable student housing for California’s neediest students,” said Viveros-Walton. Despite the delay of $250 million in this year’s commitment towards the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program (HESHGP), we are thankful that the project will see $500 million in funding this year.

The additional funding delays in the California Affordable Student Housing Revolving Loan Program, while not optimal, do provide an opportunity for students, segments leaders and community stakeholders to ensure that housing projects funded through this program will in fact be affordable for students who need it the most. We will be working with student stakeholders in the coming months to create a better definition of “affordability” that effectively identifies and benefits low-income students who need housing near their campus.

San Francisco—Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed $297 bIllion state budget fails to include critical investments in housing and public transportation which are vital to Californians on the verge of displacement and homelessness, and foundational to the state’s economy and climate goals. Despite projections of a $25 billion budget deficit, the state has enormous resources at its disposal to invest in addressing immediate crises and securing our future. 

Invest in Renters

“Our neighbors—workers, seniors, and children—are fighting against the skyrocketing cost of housing. As a result, our state’s population is shrinking while the number of those experiencing homelessness explodes,” said Managing Attorney Sam Tepperman-Gelfant. “We are disappointed that the governor’s housing budget does not address the growing displacement crisis or provide sufficient investments that address the problems our struggling neighbors need. California’s ongoing economic vitality—and moral responsibility—require the state making sure that everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.” 

The COVID pandemic laid bare the enduring systemic failures in our housing system, public services, and social safety net. Nearly half of Californians are renters, and millions of renters have been prevented from access to affordable homes both before, during, and after the height of COVID. Landlords have been raising rents through the roof in the past year–one of the primary drivers of inflation. While Governor Newsom did invest an enormous $1 billion dollars to address homelessness, and has increased local accountability, our current situation calls for bolder initiatives. Our leadership must take more meaningful steps to address the needs of renters and keep more families from being forced into homelessness—pulling back on housing investments and tenant protections now would be catastrophic. We cannot “streamline” our way out of this affordable housing crisis—the state must make the investments and policy changes that will directly help struggling Californians today.  

Public Transit on a Fiscal Cliff

Public transit has always been essential to those who depend on it to get to work, school and the doctor’s office—and increasing public transit service and usage is the cornerstone of the state’s response to climate change. Even at the height of COVID, essential workers relied on transit to get to frontline jobs. Making sure that our public transit system fully recovers and grows is essential to the state’s long-term economic vitality. Yet today, just as more workers, students, and seniors are returning to public transit, federal emergency operating funds are running out. State leaders must allocate transit operating funding to ensure this critical public service that supports Californians and climate justice does not disappear. Without this important state investment, local agencies will slash critical bus and transit service. 

“Our public transit service is failing to meet the needs of poor and working class residents and failing to reduce carbon emissions,” said Richard Marcantonio, Managing Attorney. “Increased funding for transit operations is central to achieving our climate, equity and economic goals.”

We Call on the Governor to:

• Fully fund the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Tens of thousands of qualified families across the state are still waiting for promised financial assistance to cover rent accrued as a result of the pandemic.

• Fully fund the Community Anti-displacement and Preservation Program (CAPP). The root cause of unaffordable rents is real estate speculation and profiteering—the only solution is shielding our homes from the speculative market. The Community Anti-displacement and Preservation Program (CAPP) would provide $500 million to purchase existing housing and preserve it as permanently-affordable housing California needs to end the crisis of ever-rising rents and homelessness.

• Fund the operating needs of public transportation agencies as they run out of federal COVID operating funds.

We’re ready to partner with the governor to ensure that the state makes the investments in our housing and transportation systems that California needs for immediate stability and long term prosperity. In this challenging economic moment, we urge the governor to remain firm and committed to a California for all in his post-pandemic vision for our state.

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Public Advocates Inc. is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation equity, and climate justice.

The post Media Statement on Governor’s Budget appeared first on Public Advocates.

EDUCATION EQUITY SENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL or SENIOR POLICY ADVOCATE, K-12 Education (SACRAMENTO; hybrid remote and in-person)

Click here for PDF of the position description.

Public Advocates is excited to announce our search for a Senior Legislative Counsel or Senior Policy Advocate on our K-12 Education Equity Team based in our Sacramento office.  We will also consider candidates with less years of relevant experience for a Legislative Counsel or Policy Advocate position.  

For nearly 50 years, Public Advocates has been at the forefront of social justice movements in California as a bold and highly regarded civil rights law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination. 

Our K-12 Education Equity Team is recognized statewide for ground-breaking state and local advocacy that supports building power with grassroots partners.  We work towards a racially just public education system where historically marginalized students and families have power and agency to lead in their school communities, and students and caring adults feel supported to succeed.  Our team has lead advocacy on significant improvements to our public education system, including winning and shaping the Local Control Funding Formula, the largest overhaul of California’s school funding and accountability system in the past 50 years to make it more equitable and participatory, as well as a community-driven effort to win over $4 billion for transformative community schools, the largest such investment in the nation.

Position Summary

The Senior Legislative Counsel or Senior Policy Advocate will work with the K-12 Education Equity Team to support and develop the team’s statewide administrative policy and budget advocacy.  

Our new team member will:

• Advocate before members and staff of state agencies, including the CA Department of Education and State Board of Education, the California Legislature, and the Governor’s Office
• Build strong relationships to collaborate deeply with grassroots and community-based organizations to ensure state policy advocacy is driven by low-income BIPOC communities across the state
• Work with members of our legal and policy teams, our statewide coalition partners, and local communities directly, to ensure alignment of our state advocacy with local and regional campaigns

Responsibilities

• Legislative and Administrative Policy and Budget Advocacy: Develop, analyze and promote policy change at the state, federal and local levels, and continue to grow Public Advocates’ role in amplifying the voices of students of color in local and statewide coalitions to implement K-12 education policy, budget and regulatory wins
• Community Partnership & Coalition Building: Participate in developing new and strengthening existing statewide networks and coalitions of diverse grassroots and policy organizations, and in building the capacity of local and grassroots groups to advocate effectively for state policy and investment reforms; leverage legal and policy expertise to enhance capacity of community partners and build power of students and families to impact their K-12 education experience
• Strategy & Project Management: Help shape the strategic direction of our education program work, incorporating policy advocacy, community collaboration, media and communication, and possibly litigation to achieve our objectives; take initiative to plan and implement work in collaboration with community partners
• Strategic Communication: Develop and execute outreach and media strategies, including messaging, community education, writing, social media and representing Public Advocates and coalitions to the press and public in partnership with the Director of Communications/communications team
• Resource Development: Help identify and develop funding opportunities and contribute to foundation relations

Qualities and Skills Sought

We encourage and welcome applicants who are passionate about advancing racial and economic justice in K-12 public education.  We are committed to equity in our hiring process and to building a staff with robust and diverse backgrounds.  We recognize the value that lived experience in racial and social justice brings to a workplace and we encourage skilled candidates, including people from historically marginalized or underrepresented identities or communities, to apply even if not all formal qualifications are met.  The Senior Legislative Counsel or Senior Policy Advocate will receive mentorship and support from the K-12 Educational Equity Team to grow the skills needed to be successful in this position.  

• Experience, ability and motivation to do the highest caliber policy advocacy work; 7 or more years of policy and/or administrative advocacy, legislative or campaign experience or equivalent legal or advocacy experience, at the federal, state or local level; 4 to 6 years of experience for junior-level applicants 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively about policy issues to legal and community audiences
• Social justice and racial equity lens; motivation and experience working with Black and other communities of color and/or low-income communities and commitment to community power, self-determination and leadership development 
• Strong political instinct and judgment, and adept analytical skills
• Initiative, creativity, diplomacy and capacity to work collaboratively with our team, allies, and across political differences to promote Public Advocates’ policy agenda
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully manage multiple and changing priorities and deadlines
• Passion for public education with a growth mindset around becoming an expert in multiple aspects of the K-12 education landscape
• For the Senior Legislative Counsel or Legislative Counsel position, a J.D. and California Bar Admission are required. 
• Preference for two or more of the following:
  • Education policy and/or budget advocacy experience
  • Knowledge of K-12 education legal and/or policy issues 
  • Experience building and working with statewide coalitions
  • Experience working with grassroots or community-based organizations
  • Experience working in K-12 public schools
  • Legal research and writing, statutory analysis or litigation experience
  • Communications and storytelling experience
  • Experience and interest in supervising and supporting the professional development of interns, law clerks, fellows, and junior attorneys (for senior-level position)
  • Experience in securing program grants and other fund development, organizational planning and/or writing for publication (for senior-level position)
  • For the Senior Policy Advocate or Policy Advocate position a Masters of Public Policy, J.D. or other relevant graduate degree or experience

Qualities uplifted by all Public Advocates staff include integrity, high professional standards, commitment to progressive social change, racial and economic justice, and working successfully with diverse colleagues, clients and community partners.  This includes active participation in promoting healthy workplace culture through our organizational diversity and inclusion initiative – an ongoing process of communication, trust-building and learning about our individual and organizational areas for growth.  We strive to build a culture of cooperation and mutual support and value flexibility, resilience, optimism, curiosity and a sense of humor.

Compensation & Work Setting

This position will be based out of our downtown Sacramento office as it would include in-person advocacy to the Legislature as well as administrative agencies.  At the time of this posting, our office-based staff are currently adhering to a hybrid-model of remote and in-person work.  Our Sacramento office is located a few short blocks from the Capitol, and is convenient to public transportation (we offer access to tax-advantaged commuter benefits).  Some travel would be likely within California, including to our main San Francisco office as well as to locations around the state or possibly nationally.

Competitive salary range begins at:

• $105,000 for a Senior Legislative Counsel with 7-8 years of experience but actual salary will be based on relevant experience and internal equity considerations.
• $88,500 for a Legislative Counsel with 4 years of post-graduate experience and will increase based on a fixed-step scale (which ends at 5 years).  Salary for attorneys with at least 5 years of experience begins at $91,500 and will be based on relevant experience and internal equity considerations.
• $90,000 for a Senior Policy Advocate with 7-8 years of experience but actual salary will be based on relevant experience and internal equity considerations. 
• $80,000 for a Policy Advocate with 4-6 years of post-graduate experience but actual salary will be based on relevant experience and internal equity considerations.

Benefits include full health and dental insurance for employee and eligible family members; flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care; life and long-term disability insurance; generous vacation; 403(b) retirement plan; parental leave; professional development budget; and paid sabbatical after 7 years.

Public Advocates adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy, effective December 1, 2021, that requires all employees to either establish that they have been fully vaccinated (this now includes the first booster) or obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation.  While we have not yet updated the policy to include the second or subsequent boosters, such a revision will be forthcoming.  All staff are expected to abide by this policy and subsequent revisions.

Application Instructions

Applications welcome immediately; position open until filled.  Priority review will be given to applications received by January 16th.  

To be considered, applications must include: 1) a cover letter that a) explains your specific interest in this role and in our advocacy model (see also Background Information below), b) addresses how your identity and background have prepared you to be an effective advocate for social justice and c) describes a project or challenge you have managed that will help us understand your qualifications; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample that illustrates your analytical reasoning and communication skills; and 4) names and contact information of three references, at least two of whom have directly supervised your work.  Submit your application (and/or questions) by email to k12advocate@publicadvocates.org.

Background Organizational Information

We pride ourselves on skillfully deploying a diverse set of legal and policy tools to achieve tangible legal victories and help low-income communities of color build their power to participate meaningfully in public decision-making.  

In K-12 education, we work in close partnership with grassroots organizations of students and families of color to ensure full and equitable funding for all students – and especially socioeconomically disadvantaged students of color, to advance teacher quality reforms necessary to build a diverse, prepared educator workforce, and ensure schools as places of belonging and inclusion where families and students are engaged in learning and shared decision making.  

More recently, we launched a Higher Education project focused on improving opportunity and outcomes for low-income students and college students of color, particularly those attending California’s community colleges.  

Visit our website to learn more about our areas of work across school funding, diverse and prepared teachers, data and accountability, and seeding democracy through the development of meaningful student and parent power in school communities and on college campuses.

Public Advocates seeks to fill this position with someone who shares our values. At Public Advocates, we’re always looking for great people to work with.  We value diversity in our workplace, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and anyone belonging to any other federal or state protected category.  Read our Diversity Vision Statement here.

The post Senior Legislative Counsel or Senior Policy Advocate – K12 Education appeared first on Public Advocates.

Public Advocates Education Equity Team Senior Staff Attorney, Shilpa Ram, authored a policy brief that illuminates the accomplishments, passion and struggles of bilingual educators and educators of multilingual learners across the state offering paths for stronger state policies and investments to support bilingual authorization programs and equip greater numbers of teachers with the skills and expertise to serve California’s multilingual learners.

Get the brief “Understanding Educators’ Experiences Teaching Multilingual Learners: A Qualitative Research Study About Educator Preparation, Classroom Experiences, Institutional Barriers, and Requests for State Supports.” To learn more, please contact Senior Staff Attorney Shilpa Ram at sram@publicadvocates.org.

The post Understanding Educators’ Experiences Teaching Multilingual Learners appeared first on Public Advocates.

Multilingual learners bring priceless cultural and linguistic gifts to the school setting. Public Advocates Education Equity Team Senior Staff Attorney, Shilpa Ram, authored a comprehensive guide that includes practical tools that educators, families, students, advocates, community leaders, and researchers can use to advocate for multilingual learners and support their growth and progress.

Get the “Resource Guide for Multilingual Learners.” To learn more, please contact Senior Staff Attorney Shilpa Ram at sram@publicadvocates.org.

The post Resource Guide for Multilingual Learner appeared first on Public Advocates.

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Click here to purchase tickets

December 8, 2022:

San Francisco Examiner front page story featuring Greenaction’s Kamillah Ealom:

“How Company Key to Climate Change Fight Harms SF Residents”

Read New Report:

The Stench of Sustainability – Report on Darling’s facility in Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco

Click here to download the PDF

466 Geary Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA 94102

We are only a 10 minute walk from the Powell Street BART station.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Friday, November 18, 2022

CONTACT:

Maig Tinnin, Rogue Climate, maig@rogueclimate.org, 541-852-2496
Audrey Leonard, Columbia Riverkeeper, audrey@columbiariverkeeper.org, 541-399-4775

Grassroots Coalition Vows to Oppose GTN XPress Fracked Gas Project After FERC Issues
A Final Environmental Impact Statement

FERC Downplays Concerns of States, Tribes, and Community Groups in Final Environmental Review

[Washington, DC] — Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed GTN XPress fracked gas pipeline expansion. The project, which would significantly increase the flow of fracked gas through the Northwest, faces fierce opposition from a grassroots coalition of communities along the pipeline, climate advocates, tribal members, health professionals, and communities across Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. Members of a regional coalition comprising dozens of community groups immediately condemned FERC’s short-sighted analysis.

FERC’s analysis failed to resolve deep-seated concerns from states, tribes, and community groups about the broader impacts of the project, including its conflict with state climate goals and failure to address upstream methane emissions from the harmful practice of fracking. 

“In this time of climate crisis it is crucial that we prioritize people over profits,” said Rev. AC Churchill, Executive Director of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light. “It is unjust for communities all along the pipeline to bear the economic and health burden of increased fracked gas from this project, especially given the lack of consultation with Native Nations and minimal public engagement in the EIS process.”

The project has been heavily criticized by the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission, who have decried FERC’s lack of consultation as well as the climate and health impacts of the pipeline. In August, they wrote a full comment letter to FERC outlining deficiencies in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Most people near the pipeline and compressor stations don’t even know about the expansion,” says Diane Hodiak, executive Director of 350 Deschutes. “There has been a near-total lack of opportunity for public engagement. It is being rapidly pushed with little room for input from the people who will be affected. With the rise in energy prices, ratepayers certainly don’t want to be on the hook for more price increases for the cost of infrastructure.”

“From wildfires to droughts, Columbia River communities increasingly experience climate change impacts. That’s why West Coast states are united in opposition to GTN’s expansion plans,” said Lauren Goldberg, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper. “FERC’s approach will worsen the climate crisis, downplaying the impacts of a proposal that will pollute our communities, impact health and safety, and create millions of tons of climate-changing pollution each year.”

“Oregon’s largest County just issued a report recommending against using fracked gas in homes because of its harms to public health,” said David De La Torre, Healthy Climate Program Director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility. “Pushing more health-harming fracked gas into our region may be in the interests of fossil fuel corporations, but it is contrary to the public interest and protecting people’s health.”

The proposed expansion of the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline, a subsidiary of TC Energy, would transport approximately 150 million cubic feet per day of additional methane gas from Canada for sale in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California. FERC previously found the project would emit approximately 3.24 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, for at least the next 30 years. This is equivalent to adding 754,000 cars on the road each year until 2052. Experts and over 1,000 commenters from across the region warned that FERC’s estimates are too low, and that the real climate impact would be far greater.

This proposed pipeline expansion comes at a time when government agencies from the EPA to Multnomah County Health Department are calling for an urgent transition away from gas. Attorney Generals from Washington, Oregon, and California oppose the expansion, filing a Motion to Intervene and Protest in August 2022.

Following successful community opposition to proposed new pipelines in recent years, pipeline expansions have become part of a national strategy to increase fracked gas. FERC has approved 15 similar XPress projects over the past 5 years alone, resulting in a dramatic expansion of fracked gas in the U.S.

FERC is expected to make its final decision on the GTN XPress proposal on February 16th, 2023. 

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