SOCIAL JUSTICE BLOG

Read and share the extraordinary stories from the frontlines of social change

Just Earth Celebrates Three Years of Success Championing Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice, Just Earth Teddy Basham-Witherington Environmental Justice, Just Earth Teddy Basham-Witherington

Just Earth Celebrates Three Years of Success Championing Environmental Justice

In the three years since the creation of Just Earth , the need for funding for environmental justice has only increased. After receiving generous seed funding from the Mosaic collaborative, Just Earth is poised for the next chapter. As of today, Just Earth has awarded more than $500,000 by way of 26 recoverable grants. With each of our grants, we aim to effect positive change by funding environmental justice litigation: environmental cases that dually aim to empower and cultivate justice for Indigenous and other underserved communities. All too often, environmental racism and discrimination on the basis of class and race are linked with significant ecological harm.

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Plastic or People? Protecting the Gulf Coast From the Fossil Fuel Industry Helps the Whole Planet
Environmental Justice, Plastic Pollution Teddy Basham-Witherington Environmental Justice, Plastic Pollution Teddy Basham-Witherington

Plastic or People? Protecting the Gulf Coast From the Fossil Fuel Industry Helps the Whole Planet

Refineries and petrochemical plants that process fossil fuels are hurting poor communities and communities of color along the Gulf Coast, including southern Louisiana’s notorious Cancer Alley. And that environmental racism is only getting worse, as Formosa’s decision to target St. James Parish for its next massive plastic facility shows.      

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Grassy Narrows First Nation Fights New Mercury Poisoning Threat

The people of Grassy Narrows have sustained themselves for thousands of years on their traditional territory – 2,500 square miles of forest, lakes and rivers. These indigenous people are no strangers to environmental injustice. Between 1962 and 1970 the rivers and lakes they depend on for their sustenance and livelihood were poisoned by the Reed International Paper Mill. In spite of assurances that the logging and associated activities were safe, twenty tons of mercury was dumped into the river. So, when the people of Grassy Narrows learned that the Ontario government was planning to give the go ahead to resume clear cut logging, there was astonishment...

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