SAN DIEGO, August 27, 2019 – The Kresge Foundation has awarded Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) a $100,000 planning grant to advance policy solutions aimed at improving climate resilience and equitably reducing health risks in low-income communities. EHC is one of 15 community-based nonprofits nationwide receiving grant funding as part of the planning phase of Kresge’s Climate Change, Health and Equity initiative.
EHC has been fighting for social and environmental justice in the region’s low-income communities of color for nearly 40 years. With this funding, EHC will work with partners Center on Policy Initiatives, San Diego 350, and City Heights Community Development Corporation to develop multi-year work plans that address community-defined health and climate priorities.
“San Diego’s environmental justice communities continue to carry a greater burden of the harmful effects of climate change,” said Carolina Martinez, policy director at EHC. “We are deeply grateful to the Kresge Foundation for this grant to support our work and create community-led solutions to the growing list of serious health problems caused by climate change.”
Following a one-year planning phase, Kresge will award multi-year grants to up to 12 planning grant recipients.
“Climate change is impacting people in real ways – today. The good news is that community leaders across the country are making smart choices about how they can combat climate change while improving people’s lives and well-being, Lois DeBacker, managing director of the foundations’ Environment Program, said. “Our newly awarded grants will help more communities proactively tackle the health risks that climate change introduces or exacerbate.”
The organizations will be supported by the Institute for Sustainable Communities, which serves as the national program office for the planning phase of the community-based strategy of the Climate Change, Health & Equity initiative.
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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION
Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use and unsustainable energy policies. Visit online at http://www.environmentalhealth.org.