Environmental & Climate Justice Committee
Environmental injustice, including climate change, has a disproportionate impact on communities of color in the United States and around the world.
The NAACP recognizes environmental injustice as the result of systemic discriminatory environmental decision-making that is characteristic of more commonly
recognized historical racial segregation, discriminatory zoning and land use, and unequal treatment. Together it explains why race, rather than income, determines
where toxic facilities are sited and whether environmental laws are enforced. The NAACP declares that the right to live in a safe and healthy environment is a civil
right that no person should have to sacrifice for economic security or employment.
Within the District of Columbia, residents of Wards 7 and 8 are often threatened with higher levels of environmental, health, and climate challenges than other
parts of the District. Coincidentally, Wards 7 and 8 are also those localities with the highest proportion of residents that are low-income and people of color.
In response to these acute and persistent environmental health challenges, the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee for the NAACP D.C.
Branch has prioritized the following three (3) areas of focus:
Childhood Asthma
Lead in Drinking Water
Food Deserts
Contact:
Neil Boyer
Environmental and Climate Justice Chair
climate.naacpdc@gmail.com
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