Advancing Climate Justice: Transforming the Economy, Public Health and Our Environment

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Advancing Climate Justice: Transforming the Economy,
Public Health and Our Environment
A 20th Anniversary National Climate Justice Conference Organized by WE ACT for Environmental Justice

The new EPA Chief Lisa Jackson makes her first public appearance since being confirmed as the new EPA Administrator at WE ACT's Advancing Climate Justice Conference, January 30, 2009

Poorer communities are feeling the effects of climate change more harshly than affluent communities, which typically have the resources to deal with the problems arising as a result of this phenomenon. There is the need to ensure that in the evolving debate on climate change, communities of color and low income are prepared to play an active role in the development and implementation of policies that will affect their residents’ and stakeholders’ quality of life.

On January 29-30, 2009 WE ACT convened over 400 environmental justice advocates, community leaders and stakeholders from New York City and other parts of the nation around issues of climate change at a groundbreaking 2-day conference. Speakers presented findings on several topics related to climate change and its environmental, public health and economic impacts, discussed the multi-faceted impact of climate change on communities of color and low-income, advanced and promoted the concept of climate justice and jointly developed policy recommendations designed to secure climate justice in communities of color and low income.

The ACJ Conference in the Media

The American Prospect: "From the Advancing Climate Justice Conference"

The American Prospect: "Charlie Rangel on Environmental Justice"

The American Prospect: "Talking Climate Change and Gender"

Climate Justice NOW!: "Astonished"

CNN/Fortune's The Business of Green: "Meet the New EPA"

Environmental Justice Blog: "'Advancing Climate Justice' Conference Kicks Off Today"

Examiner.com: "EPA chief seeks to repair trust, climate"

Fordham University eNewsroom: "EPA Chief Addresses Climate Concerns at First Public Appearance"

Grist - Environmental News and Commentary: "Advancing climate justice"

Kamau Studios: "Yellow and Blue make Green"

The New York Times: "'A Sister' Takes the Helm at E.P.A."

Next American City: "The Tipping Point for Environmental Justice"

Next American City: "Pay to Play?"

Oxfam Action Corps NYC: "Letter from Oxfam Action Corps volunteer"

The Rangel Bulletin, February 2009: "Pushing for Environmental Justice" (pdf)

Left to Right at the ACJ Conference: Vernice D. Miller-Travis (Vice Chair, Maryland State Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, Co-founder - WE ACT for Environmental Justice); Lisa P. Jackson (EPA Administrator); Cecil D. Corbin-Mark (Deputy Director - WE ACT for Environmental Justice); and Peggy M. Shepard (Executive Director and Co-founder - WE ACT for Environmental Justice).