2013

Opposition Against Proposed Natural Gas Plant in Otay Mesa
December 18, 2013, CBS 8, Download PDF

Pio Pico Power Plant Opponents Gather in San Ysidro
December 18, 2013, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Community Plan Process Was Truly Democratic
December 18, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Se Oponen a Planta Eléctrica en Otay Mesa
December 17, 2013, Univision San Diego, Download PDF

Residents Protest Proposed Pio Pico Power Plant
December 17, 2013, KUSI News, Download PDF

Otay Mesa Residents Protest Power Plant Proposal
December 17, 2013, San Diego 6, Download PDF

Heated Battle About an Otay Mesa Power Plant
December 17, 2013, Fox 5 San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego's Person of the Year: Early Contenders
December 17, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Otay Mesa Pollution Permit Gets Hearing
December 16, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Controversial Otay Mesa Power Plant Proposal Under Scrutiny
December 16, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

Good for the Shipyards
December 11, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

7 Thoughtful Moments from Our Neighborhood Development Discussion
December 11, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Referendum Moves Forward
December 10, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Shipyards Sue Over Barrio Plan
December 7, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Mayor Gloria Says Council Should Not Back Down from Barrio Logan Update
December 5, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

Shipyards Strike Back in Barrio
December 5, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Bid Seeking to Overturn Barrio Logan Zoning Regulations Rejected
December 3, 2013, Fox 5 San Diego, Download PDF

Battle Over the Barrio Community Plan Update Good for Residences and Businesses
December 1, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

The Shipyard is Falling!
November 27, 2013, San Diego CityBeat, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Petition Called into Question
November 26, 2013, NBC San Diego, Download PDF

Judge to Decide if Petitions Against New Barrio Logan Zoning Plan are Valid
November 26, 2013, San Diego 6, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Group Faces an Uphill Battle Trying to Stop Shipbuilder Scam
November 22, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Latino Voters Stand Behind Alvarez's Campaign for Mayor
November 22, 2013, La Prensa San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Plan Faces Court Hearing
November 21, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Greens Fight Referendum in San Diego
November 18, 2013, Courthouse News Service, Download PDF

Group Tries to Block Ballot Measure That Would Reverse Barrio Logan Zoning Change
November 15, 2013, San Diego Business Journal, Download PDF

Shipyard Group Sued Over Referendum
November 15, 2013, San Diego Daily Transcript, Download PDF

Lawsuit Says Maritime Industry Lied About Barrio Logan Referendum
November 15, 2013, San Diego Metro, Download PDF

City Sued Over Petition Drive to Overturn Barrio Logan Plan
November 14, 2013, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Lawsuit Claims Maritime Industry Lied About Barrio Logan Referendum
November 14, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

Lawsuit Filed Against Barrio Logan Shipyards
November 14, 2013, Fox 5 San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Referendum Challenged
November 14, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Community Plan Highlights Split Between San Diego Mayoral Hopefuls
November 13, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

Why Shipbuilders Are Still Collecting Barrio Logan Signatures
November 12, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Environmental Plan Wins OK in San Diego
November 12, 2013, Equal Voice, Download PDF

City Sued Over Petition Drive to Overturn Barrio Logan Plan
November 11, 2013, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Aprueban salida de talleres contaminantes en National City
November 6, 2013, Univision San Diego, Download PDF

Imperial Valley Environmental Health Summit Looks to Cultivate Leaders
November 2, 2013, Imperial Valley Press, Download PDF

Shipping Industry Moves to Rescind Barrio Logan Community Plan
November 1, 2013, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Land Use Changes Draw 53K Opposition Signatures
October 31, 2013, NBC 7 San Diego, Download PDF

Boy From the Barrio: David Alvarez and the Race to be San Diego Mayor
October 30, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Petition Drive Just Making Stuff Up
October 25, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Community Plan May Go to the Ballot Box
October 23, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

What the Barrio Logan Signature Gatherers are Saying
October 22, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Plan in Danger
October 22, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Petition Headed to Success
October 21, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Alvarez's Signature Deal Could Come Back to Haunt Him
October 18, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Fight Over Barrio Logan Plan Not Over Yet
October 15, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Community Plan Approved by City Council in its Second Reading
October 15, 2013, ABC 10 San Diego, Download PDF

New Zoning Regulations for Barrio Logan Pass City Council Again
October 15, 2013, CBS 8 San Diego, Download PDF

Crucial Barrio Logan Vote Scheduled for Today
October 15, 2013, SD Metro, Download PDF

Significant Pollution High in South County
October 12, 2013, Star News, Download PDF

Barrio Logan and the Race for Mayor
October 9, 2013, San Diego CityBeat, Download PDF

How a Nine-Block Area in Barrio Logan Became a Vast Gulf
October 3, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Shipyards Launching Referendum on Barrio Logan Plan
October 3, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

David Alvarez's Complicated Feelings on Walmart
October 2, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Plan Update Faces Referendum Drive
October 1, 2013, NBC 7 San Diego, Download PDF

Maritime Industry Moves to Overturn Barrio Logan Zoning Plan
October 1, 2013, Fox 5 San Diego, Download PDF

Risks, Rewards of Being Establishment Pick
September 26, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

5 Things Alvarez Has Done
September 26, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Fletcher Touts Support of State Democratic Legislators
September 24, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Everything You Need to Know About the Barrio Logan Community Plan
September 16, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Rebuilding Barrio Logan Begins on Tuesday - And You Can Help
September 13, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

EPA Awards $60,000 in Environmental Justice Grants to Southern California Projects
September 11, 2013, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Download PDF

Shipbuilders See Grave Threat in Rezoning
September 10, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Challenges and Opportunities for San Diego's Next Mayor
September 10, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Digging up Bay's Dirty Secrets
August 11, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Deep Cleaning Set for San Diego Bay
August 11, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Professor: Climate Change Impacts for San Diego Region Will be Numerous
July 31, 2013, San Diego 6, Download PDF

Healthiest Communities in San Diego
July 12, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

National City Seeks Representation in SANDAG 2050 Plan
July 11, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Utilities Battle the Inevitable: Rooftop Solar
July 9, 2013, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Altos niveles de contaminación en comunidades Hispanas
July 8, 2013, Univision San Diego

Toxic Hotspots Revealed on State Map
July 7, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

State Program Ranks Pollution Hot Spots
July 7, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Hard to Breathe in Barrio Logan
June 26, 2013, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

National City Inches Toward Waterfront Progress
June 25, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Orange County toll road plan stalls
June 21, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Utility Revives Plans for Electric Plant
June 12, 2013, Associated Press, Download PDF

Natural Gas Gets Second Look After Nuke Shutdown
June 11, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

EHC Selects New Members
May 31, 2013, San Diego County News, Download PDF

The Six Month Mark: Three Ways Mayor Filner is Making a Difference in San Diego
May 28, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Diane Takvorian's at the grownups' table now
May 22, 2013, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

Desde de Logan: Our Focus on Barrio Logan for-the-Month "Wrap Up"
May 9, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Parts of Barrio Logan Have No Sidewalks - Does Anyone Care?
April 24, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Density to rise in National City
April 23, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition Hosts Annual Awards on April 23 to Celebrate Healthy Kids Victories
April 23, 2013, Indian Voices, Download PDF

SD For Free: Chicano Park Day - Saturday, April 20
April 19. 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Community Plan Update: Will It Address Community Environmental Challenges?
April 18, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

'A Fair Shake For Communities': Reactions to Filner's First Budget
April 17, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Community Garden Granted to Barrio Logan
April 12, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Consumer Study Finds Lead in Baby Food
April 9, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition Celebrates Healthy Kids Victories at Annual Awards
April 8, 2013, San Diego County News, Download PDF

EHC Celebrates Healthy Kids Victories at Annual Awards
April 5, 2013, Scoop San Diego, Download PDF

The Two Ends of a Bridge (Seeking Environmental Justice)
April 2, 2013, San Diego Free Press

State Rejects Two Power Plants
March 22, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Environmental Groups Surprise Closed-Door Utilities Commission Meeting with Green Energy Stunt
March 21, 2013, San Diego County News, Download PDF

CA Public Utilities Commission Meeting (Video)
March 21, 2013, KWSB5, KGTV10, KNSD7, KFMB8, KUSI9

New Power Plants Rejected, For Now
March 21, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Nicole Capretz, Environmental Health Coalition
March 21, 2013, Flickr, Download PDF

Environmental Groups Surprise Closed-Door Utilities Commission Meeting with Green Energy Stunt
March 20, 2013, Scoop San Diego, Download PDF

Press Conference and Rally at CPUC Stakeholder Meeting (Video)
March 20, 2013, KGTV10, XETV6, KUSI9, KBNT17, KPBS11

Filner Joins Rally to Combat Climate Change
March 16, 2013, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Boy Tests Positive for High Lead Levels During Screening
February 26, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

SDHC Tests Children for Lead Poisoning
February 26, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

Keystone Pipeline Protest (Video)
February 17, 2013, KFMB8, KGTV10, KNSD7, KSWB5, KUSI9, XETV6

After Implosion, Massive Clean Up Begins
February 5, 2013, Fox 5, Download PDF

California Public Utilities Commission Holds Public Forum on Peaker Power Plants; Quail Brush Opponents Turn Out in Force
February 5, 2013, East County Magazine, Download PDF

Competing Visions For Barrio Logan
February 4, 2013, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Chula Vista Says Goodbye to a '50s-era Power Plant
February 2, 2013, Los Angeles Times, Download PDF

Dynegy Power Plant Blown Up in Southern California
February 2, 2013, Reuters, Download PDF

Quail Brush Protest CPUC Meeting (Video)
February 1, 2013, KWSB5, KFMB8, KGTV10

How to Take Down a Power Plant in About 2 Minutes
February 1, 2013, Coronado Patch, Download PDF

A Punto de Desaparecer el Arroyo Alamar
January 30, 2013, Milenio

Mutually Beneficial (Aiming for Stronger San Diego-Tijuana Ties)
January 27, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

SD Unified Eyes Energy Fund
January 24, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition Takes on the Whole Wide World
January 23, 2013, San Diego Reader

Mayor Filners Plan to Green San Diego
January 23, 2013, San Diego Loves Green, Download PDF

MLK Celebrated Near Where He Once Spoke
January 21, 2013, UT San Diego, Download PDF

South Bay Landmark Prepares to Come Down
January 16, 2013, KPBS, Download PDF

Coalition Scores Air Quality Victories in 2012
January 9, 2013, Equal Voice, Download PDF

2012

December 10, 2012, UT San Diego: Silvia León is a tireless community organizer, seeking out neighbors, peers and friends of friends across South San Diego and beyond. Her mission is to reduce the needless consumption of energy and water, and save money for low- and moderate-income households.

August 8, 2012, KPBS: Officials from both sides of the border met in Tijuana today and committed to working together to improve the region's environmental health. Environmental Protection agency administrator to sign on to a program called Border 2020. 

Aug. 2, 2012, UT San Diego: Environmental Health Coalition and several parents of Kimball Elementary School students want the city to eliminate polluters near the school immediately. National City has one of the highest asthma rates in San Diego County, which the coalition attributes to the fact that pollutant-producing industrial businesses are intermingled with homes, schools and parks.

August 2, 2012, UT San Diego: A push to build two new natural gas power plants in the San Diego area has turned into a contentious forum on the value of California's alternative-energy remedies. The new natural gas plants, they say, would tie San Diego residents and businesses to additional fossil fuel resources for another 20 years, diverting customer resources from potential investments making the local grid more efficient, clean and responsive. 

August 1, 2012, UT San Diego (editorial) - The Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan is a landmark achievement both in that it redefines how coastal development should be created and in the vision it enables. This is what we will share with the Coastal Commission when the land use plan is voted on next week. It is worthy of everyone's support.

July 11, 2012, Yahoo! News: The City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego announced that more than 100 supporters attended the California Coastal Commission meeting in Chula Vista to endorse the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan. "The rumors you have heard are true," said Laura Hunter, representing the Environmental Health Coalition and the Bayfront Coalition. "We are here to support a coastal development plan."

June 29, 2012 North County Times: Organic farming supporters have flooded county officials with letters criticizing a proposed ordinance that could mandate pesticide spraying at a San Pasqual Valley farm blamed for south Escondido's eye gnat problem.

June 25, 2012 NBC San Diego: University City residents are gathering in opposition Monday evening to a major power plant proposed for a site a short distance away from thousands of homes and businesses. Community activists in University City aren't the only folks pushing back against it. Download PDF.

June 14, 2012 KPBS: Linda Vista was originally built in the 1940s as a government project to house aircraft workers and still has many homes with lead paint. Residents cannot afford to remove the lead paint, so a grant is helping cover the costs. Download PDF. 

May 23, 2012 Voice of San Diego: Councilman Carl DeMaio, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher have each reported contributions from SDG&E employees (as well as Sempra employees). Filner has not.

May 7, 2012 Fox 5 San Diego: Three San Diego-based environmental organizations expressed opposition Monday to a plan by Gov. Jerry Brown to consolidate state regional water quality control boards in Southern California. Download PDF.

May 7, 2012, San Diego Source: Three individuals and the nonprofit group San Diego Coastkeeper will be honored at the upcoming Environmental Health Coalition 2012 Awards Celebration, for their collective efforts that have resulted in regulatory decisions that will clean up polluted parts of San diego Bay and improve the bayfront. 

May 5, 2012, UT San Diego: Efforts to save money and improve efficiency in Sacramento threaten to diminish water pollution enforcement in San Diego, according to environmental groups and others.

They are lobbying the state Legislature to preserve the San Dieog Regional Water Quality Control Board, which has pushed for major pollution cleanups in San Diego Bay, the Tijunana River Valley and elsewhere.

On April 24, 2012, Equal Voice America's Family Story covered a news story in California Watch that covered solar power. California Watch did the math: “San Diego houses more than 2,600 solar residential rooftops, more than any other California City, but in the neighboring lower-income community of National City, there are only about a dozen.”

April 24, 2012, Equal Voice: A recent news article in California Watch did the math: "San Diego houses more than 2,600 solar residential rooftops, more than any other California City, but in the neighboring lower-income community of National City, there are only about a dozen."

 

 

On April 20, 2012, San Diego Reader writes: A crowd of Sherman Heights residents gathered this morning in front of the historic Farmers Market building on Imperial Avenue to hear a host of activists and local politicians speak on action recently taken by site lessee Walmart to demolish the building, a move that blindsided locals, many of whom said they’d been making efforts to communicate with the company about how to help it successfully enter the area.

April 20, 2012, San Diego Reader: A crowd of Sherman Heights residents gathered this morning in front of the historic Farmers Market building on Imperial Avenue to hear a host of activists and local politicians speak on action recently taken by site lessee Walmart to demolish the building, a move that blindsided locals, many of whom said they’d been making efforts to communicate with the company about how to help it successfully enter the area. Download the PDF. 

April 17, 2012, UT San Diego: Six agencies and companies have appealed a landmark cleanup order for San Diego Bay, thrusting the $70 million plan into uncertainty a month after it was unanimously approved by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

April 11, 2012 El Sol de Tijuana: La organización Environmental Health Coalition, el Colectivo Ollin Calli, miembros del Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental, Jóvenes Pro Justicia Ambiental, residentes de la colonia Chilpancingo y aledañas al Arroyo Alamar y sus simpatizantes se reunieron en la segunda etapa del Arroyo Alamar en la zona correspondiente a la colonia Chilpancingo, donde antes estuviera la colonia Nueva Esperanza, para anunciar la obtención de un amparo en contra del proyecto de canalización del Arroyo Alamar que está desarrollando la Comisión Nacional del Agua (Conagua) en este momento. Descargar PDF.

April 11, 2012, Examiner: Yes, organization and unions, such as Empower San Diego, Laborers Union (local 89), Environmental Health Coalition, Iron Workers Union (local 229), Logan Heights Neighborhood Council, Occupyrcorner San Diego, Raza Rights Coalition, the San Diego Labor Council, UFCW (local 135), among others, are asking that Walmart sign a "legally binding community benefits agreement". Download the PDF.

April 11, 2012 UT San Diego: As Walmart prepares to bring its smaller grocery-format store concept to San Diego, a coalition of unions, neighborhood groups and nonprofits is asking the company to commit to hiring local workers and investing in the community.

March 22, 2012 UT San Diego: Last month, the California Coastal Commission toured the southern area of San Diego Bay, an area covered by the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan. Commissioners familiarized themselves with the parcel’s geography and prepared for consideration of the plan in coming months.

March 14, 2012 Voice of San Diego: What happens to the Navy Broadway site may be the most interesting land-use story in the next year but it is not the only one. Local governments do nothing more important than decide how to use land. Talk about jobs, about the environment, about quality of life is really meaningless unless it accompanies discussion about what priorities a politician will have when making land-use decisions.

March 9, 2012 PRWeb: The tour covered the 550-acre waterfront property that will include a mix of hotel, conference, commercial, residential, industrial, retail, parkland, open space and recreational uses. A land exchange shifts development away from protected refuge areas toward the active harbor area and acquired 62 additional acres of land for parks, open space and lower-impact future development.

February 2, 2012 UT San Diego: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday presented a national award to San Diego’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Citizen’s Advisory Task Force, which has helped reduce the heavy metal in local homes.

January 14, 2012 UT San Diego: We are not opposed to good projects that provide housing for San Diegans. But what we do object to are poorly placed projects that threaten the jobs of hard-working San Diegans. Common sense tells us that you don’t build luxury lofts across the street from a major manufacturing facility that has been in San Diego for 83 years.

November 9, 2011 KPBS: San Diego environmental groups are demanding the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board take action on a cleanup plan for San Diego Bay. San Diego Coastkeeper and the Environmental Health Coalition said lawsuits, studies and other delays have left a toxic chemical soup of contaminated sediment in the Bay primarily from shipyards.

2011

EHC

Environmental organization empowers family, community (English & Spanish)

La Prensa San Diego, 12/16/11

In the Shadow of San Diego

The Progressive Magazine, 9/11

FALLBROOK: Gregory Canyon scheduled for Wednesday hearing

North County Times, 2/21/11

Border Environmental Justice Campaign - Trucks Banned from Community Streets

Border 2012 Quarterly Newsletter Updates on Metales y Derivados and Truck Ban in Colonia Chilpancingo, Tijuana 

Border 2012 Quarterly Newsletter, July to September 2011
(en español)

No camiones en la colonia Chilpancingo

La-ch.com, 18 de octubre de 2011

Restringen paso de carga pesada

el mexicano, 18 de octubre de 2011 (PDF)

Denuncian que tráileres contaminan a menores

EnLínea Tijuana.com, 17 de octubre de 2011

Prohíben el paso de tráileres en zona escolar del Murúa debido a contaminación

UniradioInforma.com, 17 de octubre de 2011

Denuncian daños a salud por contaminación

el mexicano, 14 de octubre de 2011

Clean Bay Campaign

Hold industries accountable for San Diego Bay pollution

San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/3/11

How clean should San Diego Bay be?

San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/8/11

Groups Demand Cleanup of San Diego Bay

KPBS, 11/9/11

Toxins troubling in fish caught in local waters

San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/14/11

Green Energy/Green Jobs

Port agrees to soil contract (for South Bay Power Plant Site)

San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/13/11

Petition Being Circulated Against SDG&E Fee Hike

KPBS, 12/9/11

Enviros Question Future Land Use After South Bay Power Plan Is Demolished

KPBS, 11/11/11

Green Jobs Training Continues, But Work Prospects Look Dark

KPBS, 7/28/11

Opinion: Remove Barriers to Small-Scale Green Energy Systems
Voice of San Diego, 6/12/11

Viewpoints: Energy projects should help poor areas thrive

Sacramento Bee, 5/6/11

Green grades rise for San Diego City Council
San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/20/11

Highly Anticipated Renewable Energy Bill Signed Into Law
4/12/11

Chula Vista won't take on removal of power plant

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/22/11

Letters: Bayfront plan a work of compromise
San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/17/11

Chula Vista officials terminate Padilla's term as port commissioner
Gay San Diego, 2/14/11

Letters: Former commissioner praised for work 

San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/20/11

Letters: Urban Areas Offer Green Solutions

San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/10/11

Toxic-Free Neighborhoods

S.D. County Monitors Bad Air Hot Spots

KPBS, 11/15/11

Transit-First is a Better Plan
San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/23/11

Neglected Communities Deserve a chance to thrive

San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/16/11

AG rips San Diego pollution-reduction plan 

San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/21/11

EHC Letter to SANDAG (PDF)

Community members call for greater 
minority representation in public redistricting hearing

San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/2/11

2010

Border Environmental Justice Campaign

Toxic waste from Tijuana subject of new probe 

San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/1/10

Piden Retirar "TRAILERS" de Zona Escolar

TijuanaPress.com, 5/10/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alertan sobre "bomba de tiempo" por contaminantes cancerígenos

El Mexicano, 5/11/10

Protestan residentes por contaminación

Frontera, 5/11/10

Calles de Tijuana, altamente contaminadas

El Universal, 5/11/10

Youth Activists Release Comic Book Chronicling Health Risks from Tijuana Truck Traffic

La Prensa San Diego, 12/23/10

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning

San Diego-based lead task force wins EPA award

San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/17/10

Green Energy/Good Jobs Campaign

Backing off on bay cleanup
San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/6/10

Report Card: Mayor, Council need to improve on environmental quality

San Diego News Network, 3/10/10

Environmental Report Card Given To Mayor And San Diego City Council

KPBS, 3/10/10

Capretz: Making environmental justice a priority in San Diego

San Diego News Network, 3/11/10

South Bay Power Plant Spared From Early Closure
KGTV 10News, 5/12/10

Generator permitted to keep operating 

San Diego Union Tribune, 5/13/10

Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Approved 

KGTV 10News, 5/18/10

Toxic-Free Neighborhoods Campaign

A healthier Old Town National City

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/12/10

Editorial: Ending a toxic mix

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/14/10

New Direction for Old Town

San Diego Reader, 3/17/10

City adopts renewal plan for Westside

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/17/10

National City Launches A Major Makeover
KPBS, 5/28/10

Environmental Justice Knocks Loudly at the White House

Solve Climate News, 12/22/10

2009

Border Environmental Justice Campaign

Toxic Factory Undergoes Major Cleanup

KGTV News 10 1/2709 - /1/28/0909

Celebrating a Toxic Legacy's End

Voice of San Diego 1/27/09

Former Dump is Revived

San Diego Union-Tribune 1/29/09

Toxic-Free Neighborhoods Campaign

10th Avenue Marine Terminal Taking Residents’ Breath Away
KPBS 4/29/09

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning

Protect Youself and Your Child from Lead Poisoning

Fox 5 San Diego 3/21/09

2008

General

Environmental activist recognized for her work with Latino communities

La Prensa, 8/8/08

EHC Executive Director receives James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award

irvine.org. 7/30/08

Proposition 98 on Politically Speaking

KNSD. 5/2/08

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning

Council Turns Thumbs Down On Lead-based Paint Ordinance

KUSI 3/12/08

Group Opposes Proposed Home Lead Ordinance
10News. 3/10/08

Clean Bay Campaign

Power Plant Plan Sparks Opposition

NBC. 5/13/08

Chula Vista Taking Steps to be 'Greenest' City in U.S.

10News. 4/02/08

California Moves to Cap Greenhouse Gas Emissions

KPBS. 2/20/08

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign

Justice for Barrio Logan

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 5/8/08

Shea Homes Proposal Picked for Mercado Project in Barrio Logan
San Diego
CityBeat. 2/12/08

2007

General

Letter to the Editor: Continuing the debate over plastic pipes

San Diego Union Tribune. 2/24/07

Letter to the Editor: Taking issue with U-T on bayfront resort

San Diego Union Tribune. 11/24/07

Clean Bay Campaign

Big Polluters Graying as Region's Energy Greens

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 1/03/07

Regulatory Gap Stifles Pollution Contro
l
VoiceofSanDiego.org. 1/08/07

SDG&E Spurns South Bay Replacement Power Plant

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 1/19/07

SDG&E won't buy power from new plant

San Diego Union Tribune. 1/20/07

Key Supporters of Bay-Front Deal Back Off

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 1/22/07

Environmental Power Perspective

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 1/22/07

Recommended Manager for Bay-front Project Has Ties to Developer

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 2/05/07

Letter to the Editor: Proposed power plant detrimental to health

San Diego Union Tribune. 2/08/07

Miramar plant plan receives support

San Diego Union Tribune. 2/08/07

Visions for Waterfront a Sign of the Times

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 2/09/07

Power Plant Proposal Expected to be Killed

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 2/17/07

Coastal panel pick becoming political saga

San Diego Union Tribune. 2/20/07

Chula Vista Council Formally Opposes Power Plant

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 2/21/07

San Francisco's Power Lesson 

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 3/07/07

Power Plant Opposition Struggles With Next Step

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 3/07/07

In Trio of Power Proposals, Opposition Grows Strong

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 3/12/07

Port panel to discuss request to raze power plant

San Diego Union Tribune. 3/13/07

Port backs Chula Vista in battle over power plant 

San Diego Union Tribune. 3/13/07

Letters to the Editor: Don't Support the Sunrise Powerlink

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 3/21/07

Differing Scenarios for South Bay Demolition Emerge

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 3/28/07

Hueso gets nod for state coastal panel 

San Diego Union Tribune. 3/29/07

Opinion Editorial by EHC: Improving Chula Vista bayfront

San Diego Union Tribune. 8/24/07

Letter to Editor: Power Plant, Chargers and Chula Vista future 

San Diego Union Tribune. 10/25/07

Environmentalists slam Chargers bayfront plan 

San Diego Union Tribune. 11/29/07

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign

A Toxic Air Inventory 

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 1/02/07

Centre City Approves $1.5 Million for Barrio Logan

La Prensa San Diego. 2/02/07

Fumes from business spur residents to act

San Diego Union Tribune. 2/10/07

Plans to Build Homes Near Freeway Cause Concerns

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 2/20/07

Trucking school's fumes may spark law

San Diego Union Tribune. 4/4/07

Family blames city for man's asthma death
San Diego Union Tribune. 8/3/07

Letters to the Editor: Port must address traffic's pollution 

San Diego Union Tribune. 10/11/07

Old Town National City residents see hope for a cleaner, safer future

La Prensa San Diego. 11/02/07

2006

Border Environmental Justice Campaign

Incendios azotan Colonia Chilpancingo: Residuos tóxicos representan graves peligros a la salud

La Prensa San Diego. 2/17/06

Crossing Over: Toxic Waste
San Diego Union Tribune. 6/12/06

Taming Tijuana's Toxic Waste

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 6/12/06

Tijuana 's Toxins {Day 8: Tijuana and San Diego) 

Socialist Worker Online. 10/06/06

Products over People
San Diego
CityBeat. 10/25/06

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning

Inzunza's tenants await fixes

San Diego Union Tribune. 1/09/06

Effort to remove lead from Mexican treats
San Francisco Chronicle. 1/15/06

Popular lead-laden candy now forbidden treat

San Diego Union Tribune. 1/17/06

Food-safety bill criticized

Orange County Register. 2/11/06

Mexican candy makers will get the lead out

Orange County Register. 6/29/06

International food companies to remove lead from candy sold in U.S., Mexico

Napa Valley Register, 7/07/04

Clean Bay Campaign

Regional board due to issue bay cleanup report

San Diego Union Tribune. 1/06/06



Residents charged up against power project: Environmentalists also oppose SDG&E

San Diego Union Tribune. 2/08/06



Seawater intake spurs outcry

San Diego Union Tribune. 4/04/06



No seawater cooling for new Calif. power plants

San Diego Union Tribune. 4/18/06

Duke Energy outlines South Bay plant plan: New owner may have other ideas

San Diego Union Tribune. 5/05/06

Water-pollution report on bay cleanup is late

San Diego Union Tribune. 5/15/06

Replacing the South Bay Power Plant: We have one chance to do it right - EHC commentary
San Diego Union Tribune. 5/25/06

How best to replace South Bay power plant: letters to the editor

San Diego Union Tribune. 6/08/06

Port designating money for lost habitat: New fund to pay for restoration projects

San Diego Union Tribune. 6/18/06

Pitch made to replace South Bay Power Plant: New facility would be smaller and pollute less

San Diego Union Tribune. 7/01/06

Port debates how to divvy up windfall: $28 million to fund variety of projects

San Diego Union Tribune. 8/14/06

Port Looks at Options After $28 Million Windfall

The Log. 8/24/06

Review begins on plan for power plant: Emissions proposal receives criticism

San Diego Union Tribune. 9/16/06

Chula Vista picks developer as its port representative: Member who resigned replaced by council

San Diego Union Tribune. 10/04/06

Port urged to delay vote on power plant

San Diego Union Tribune. 11/29/06

Panel rebuffs time-share project for tidelands

San Diego Union Tribune. 11/29/06

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign

Improving National City's Old Town gaining traction

San Diego Union Tribune. 6/17/06

A Schizophrenic Neighborhood, Hoping for Change

VoiceofSanDiego.org. 8/14/06

Opposition growing to transit bond

Inside Bay Area.  10/08/06

Shelter Skelter

San Diego City Beat. 10/25/06

2005

Border Environmental Justice Campaign

NAFTA vs. CAFTA
La Prensa San Diego. 5/06/05

CENTER OF ATTENTION. Eyes are on Congressmember Susan Davis as CAFTA vote nears 

San Diego CityBeat. 06/01/05

BC: Olvidan tiradero de residuos de plomo 

El Universal. 5/29/05

CAFTA blocks access to medicines 

San Diego Union Tribune. 7/11/05

Cleanup of toxic waste at Tijuana site is praised 

San Diego Union Tribune. 9/6/05

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning
Lead targeted by new bill

OC Register. 2/23/05

Guerra a los dulces con plomo
Hola Hoy, Santa Ana. 2/24/05 (Spanish) 

Lead Lace Candy Still on Shelves

The Orange County Register. 04/30/05

Candy bill dies in caucus 

The Orange County Register. 8/28/05

Aging neighborhood focus of forum 

San Diego Union Tribune. 8/31/05

Contaminación en National City. Los residentes se quejan de estar sufriendo de problemas respiratorios

El Latino. 9/7/05

Get the lead out 

San Diego Citybeat. 9/21/05

Safer Treats For Our Tricksters

La Prensa San Diego. 10/07/05

Clean Bay Campaign

S. Bay site in the works for possible power plant 

San Diego Union Tribune. 1/30/05 



Opponents challenge United States Real ID Act 

HispanicBusiness.com. 2/10/05 



Bayfront plan begins to jell. Chula Vista gets a surprisingly upbeat report 

San Diego Union Tribune. 2/12/05



Supervisors: Border fence overrides environmental concerns

North County Times. 3/02/05



Health threat seen in South Bay fish. Anglers who eat most of their catch at risk, group says.

San Diego Union Tribune. 3/05/05 



Sweeping cleanup of bay is ordered

San Diego Union Tribune. 4/30/05 



Making the Bay Fit for All- EDITORIAL

San Diego Union Tribune. 5/15/05

Denial Urged for San Onofre Plan

Los Angeles Times .com. 05/18/05

Dirty Water 

San Diego Citybeat. 6/30/05

S.D. Bay cleanup plan goes forward

San Diego Union Tribune. 8/11/05

Duke will sell units, cut losses in state 

San Diego Union Tribune. 9/15/05

Chula Vista to consider general plan

San Diego Union Tribune. 12/10/05

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign

Port extends accord to its nearby neighbors 

San Diego Business Journal. 9/19/2005

EHC General

EPA says race, income shouldn't be environmental-justice factors

Grist Magazine. 1/8/05

2004

Border Environmental Justice Campaign

Letters: NAFTA has worsened conditions on the border

San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/16/04



Cleanup slated at toxic plant

San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/16/04



Cleanup approaches for abandoned smelter

San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/23/04



U.S., Mexico get set for cleanup of toxic plant

San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/25/04



Removerán 2 mil 500 toneladas de plomo 

El Mexicano, 6/25/04



Protestan contra Libre Comercio
NEW!
Diario Latino, 10/19/04

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning



Special Investigation: Toxic Treats

Orange County Register, 4/25/04



Investigacion Especial: Dulce Veneno

Orange County Register, 4/25/04



Lead in Mexican Candy (Spanish)
MPEG file, Please allow time for download

Univision San Diego, 4/10/04 and 4/30/04



Lead in Mexican Candy
MPEG file, Please allow time for download

KGTV CH.10 ABC, 6/04/04

Call for action on tainted treats

Orange County Register, 5/22/04



California sues makers of lead-tainted Mexican Candy

Associated Press, 7/6/04



Lead in Candy: Struggle Continues (Spanish) MPEG file, please allow time for download

Univision San Diego, 7/02/04



Lead candy ban failed
MPEG file, please allow time for download

KGTV San Diego, 7/05/04



Candy bill dies in caucus

Orange County Register, 8/28/04



Program aims at lead in National City homes

San Diego Union Tribune, 9/02/04 



Lead candy warning on Halloween (Spanish)
MPEG file, please allow time for download
NEW!
KBNT Univision San Diego, 10/25/04



Lead candy warning on Halloween
MPEG file, please allow time for download
NEW!
KSWB San Diego, 10/26/04 



Van contra el plomo no contra dulces mexicanos
NEW!
El Mexicano Newspaper, 10/28/04



Lead candy still in shelfs this Halloween
MPEG file, please allow time for download
NEW!
KGTV San Diego, 10/28/04 



Alertan sobre dulces peligrosos
NEW!
Diario Latino, 10/29/04 



Health group warns about lead in candy
NEW!
San Diego Union Tribune, 10/30/04

Clean Bay Campaign


Fuel barge runs into criticism

San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/31/04



Letters: Chula Vista Activism

San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/5/04



Firm to help Chula Vista, port on waterfront plan

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/5/04



Group opposes burning plan

Baraboo News Republic, 3/29/04



Bayfront plan may center on marina

San Diego Union-Tribune, 05/27/04



Editorial: Agencies listen as public weighs in on the bayfront

San Diego Union-Tribune, 05/27/04



No ruling on South Bay power plant

San Diego Union-Tribune, 09/09/04



Permit approved for Duke Energy
NEW! 
San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/11/04

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign 

Barrio Logan Planning (Spanish)
MPEG file, Please allow time for download

Univision San Diego, 2/19/04



Fumigating Tenth Ave. Terminal
MPEG file, Please allow time for download

KGTV San Diego, 3/9/04 



Foes say any plan by port to fumigate again still smells
San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/11/04



California Plating Pollution
MPEG file, Please allow time for download

KGTV San Diego, 5/04/04

Year had many highlights for Inzunza

San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/09/04



Barrio Logan Land Use Planning (Spanish)
MPEG file, Please allow time for 
download

KBNT CH. 17 San Diego, 05/11/04

2003

EHC General
A matter of principle

San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/16/03



'Rebels' with a cause

San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/30/03

Environmental law revamping approved by state panel

Oakland Tribune, 10/1/03

Border Environmental Justice Campaign


Border Pollution Fight Gets New U.S-Mexico Commitment

Los Angeles Times, 4/5/03

A

Toxic Legacy on the Mexican Border  (Español)

Washington Post, 2/16/03

Contamination and little cleanup: Environmental rules lack teeth

Tucson Citizen, 6/19/2003



U.S. Factory Leaves a Toxic Smell

Los Angeles Times, 7/28/03



Factory leaves Mexican neighborhood crying foul

Miami Herald, 8/15/03



EPA ends database tracking hazardous waste from Mexico

San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/26/03



A Free Trade Boom or an Environmental Bust?

New York Newsday, 12/29/03

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning

Who's Gettin' Busy 2003

San Diego City Beat, 1/15/03



More lead removal at school site urged
San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/18/03

Clean Bay Campaign


Letters to the Editor: Mid-bayfront plan opposed on several counts  

San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/15/03



Opinion: Mid-Bayfront is key to region's future

San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/1/03



Letters to the Editor: Chula Vistans opposed mid-bayfront housing

San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/24/03



Letters to the Editor: Young Latinos work to shape growth debate

San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/10/2003 



Bustamante says port needs to push Duke on power plant

San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/8/03



City given ultimatum on polluted water flow

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/28/03



Letters to the Editor: Chula Vista Mid-Bayfront

San Diego Union Tribune, 2/27/03



Chula Vistans oppose condos on bayfront

San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/30/03



Navy OKs carrier Midway for duty as museum in S.D.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/9/2003



County seeks help with Otay watershed plan

San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/22/03



Samples taken for World Water Monitoring Day

San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/18/03

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign 


San Diego to help developer build affordable units 

San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/12/03



County's cleaner air gets EPA recognition 

San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/1/03

2002

Border Environmental Justice Campaign

Empowerment brings change (Español)
La Prensa San Diego, 10/20/02

Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisoning

Get the lead out
San Diego City Beat, 11/13/02

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign

Toxic Town: Can Barrio Logan rebound?
San Diego City Beat, 10/30/02

Editorial cartoon: Easter bunny in Barrio Logan
San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/30/02

Carcinogen detected in air in Barrio Logan
San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/01/02

 

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 climate change.

 

For more information, please contact Angelica Estrada

Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.


 

 

 

UPDATED ACTION CENTER COMING SOON!

 

 

Air Resources Board Actually Talks About the Importance of Walking, Biking
December 19, 2017, Cal Streets Blog, Download PDF

Community demands state leaders hold SANDAG to strict emission reduction standards with SB 375
December 15, 2017, LGBT Weekly, Download PDF

Residentes de Barrio Logan Frustrados Sobre el Plan Comunitario Desactualizado
December 14, 2017, La Prensa, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Residents Frustrated at Outdated Community Plan
December 14, 2017, La Prensa, Download PDF

Meet Carolina Martinez of Environmental Health Coalition
December 14, 2017, SD Voyager, Download PDF

KPBS Honors Our Everyday Hero: Diane Takvorian
December 11, 2017, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF 

Barrio Logan Residents Want Clean Air -- So Stop Asking and Make it Happen
December 7, 2017, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

New Mural Set to Go Up in Chicano Park
November 21, 2017, 10News, Download PDF

Best of San Diego 2017: People | Brent Beltrán
November 15, 2017, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

Activist Want to Rename Iconic San Diego Park
November 14, 2017, 10News, Download PDF

Warn About Dangers of Lead
October 19, 2017, La Prensa, Download PDF

Latest in Trump’s America: Local Progress on Environment & Justice
October 19, 2017, Equal Voice, Download PDF

Affects Lead in Children of San Diego
October 17, 2017, Televisa, Download PDF

New Toolkit Connects City Planning and Environmental Justice
October 3, 2017, Next City, Download PDF

SANDAG Reform Bill Now on Governor's Desk
September 28, 2017, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Community Plan Not Updated Much
September 22, 2017, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

City Planners Seek Easy Fix to Old Barrio Logan Stalemate, But the Neighborhood Has Changed
September 21, 2017, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

City Planners Hear residents' Opinion on Barrio Logan Improvements
September 20, 2017, KUSI News, Download PDF

National City Approves Auto biz With Conditions
September 20, 2017, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

Noisy, But That's Not All
September 19, 2017, Fair Warning, Download PDF

Tijuana: A New Bus Line's Rough Ride
September 7, 2017, Pulitzer Center, Download PDF 

Todd Gloria’s Bill Requiring Disclosure of Ballot Measure Financing Signed into Law
September 2, 2017, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Redrafting Highly Contested Blueprint for Barrio Logan
August 28, 2017, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

National City puts Perry Ford under "green" spotlight
August 25, 2017, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

A Brief History of SANDAG’s Climate Change Culpability
July 24, 2017, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Environmental Advocates Oppose Gov. Brown’s Deal to Extend Cap and Trade
July 14, 2017, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Coalition for GE Workers Agrees on How to Proceed with Compensation from the Province
July 13, 2017, My Kawartha, Download PDF

“You Need to Move Beyond Surviving to Thriving”: A Conversation with Mustafa Ali
July 12, 2017, LA Times, Download PDF

Jerry Brown Says His Climate Plan is in Danger. To Lose Would be a Tragedy ‘For the World’
July 11, 2017, The Sacramento Bee, Download PDF

Cap-and-Trade Deal Heading for Showdown
July 11, 2017, Capitol Weekly, Download PDF

Barrio Logan's Community Garden
July 6, 2017, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Looking Back at the Week: June 18-24
June 25, 2017, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

El Muro de Trump Podría Ser 'Una Trampa Mortal' Para Ecosistemas que Comparten México y EE.UU.
June 13, 2017, RT News, Download PDF

"You Need to Move Beyond Surviving to Thriving": A Conversation with Mustafa Ali
June 1, 2017, Union of Concerned Scientists, Download PDF

Familiar Faces Vie For Seat On Powerful Port Of San Diego Board
May 25, 2017, KPBS, Download PDF

Crowds in San Diego, Across Nation Protest Trump Policies at People's Climate March
April 29, 2017, The San Diego Tribune, Download PDF

Thousands of San Diegans participate in the People's Climate March
April 29, 2017, CBS 8, Download PDF

7,000 March for Planet Earth in San Diego ‘State of Resistance’
April 29, 2017, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Rebel With a Cause: Masada Disenhouse and Saturday’s People’s Climate March San Diego
April 27, 2017, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Paradise Creek: From Toxic Site to Community Neighborhood
April 26, 2017, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

First Person: Mother And Son Fight For Environmental Justice
April 24, 2017, KPBS, Download PDF

Lead Found at Two San Marcos Schools, as Districts Test for Toxin
April 22, 2017, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

Shipbuilder BAE Honored for Embracing Green Technology
April 20, 2017, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

KPBS Evening Edition - New Affordable Housing Opened in National City
April 18, 2017, KPBS

Now is the Time to Protect Science and the Environment
April 13, 2017, LGBT Weekly, Download PDF

Social Justice Visionaries To Receive Honors on April 20
March 31, 2017, San Diego Metro, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Besieged by Truck Traffic
March 23, 2017, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Want Clean Air for the Kids? Pay Attention to Trump’s Budget
March 17, 2017, Equal Voice, Download PDF

Climate Change Rally Tuesday in Downtown San Diego
February 20, 2017, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

South of I-8 Communities Hit by Pollution
February 8, 2017, Our City San Diego, Download PDF

Calls For Senators Feinstein and Harris to Reject Trump’s Climate Denier Cabinet
January 26, 2017, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Toxic Air Pollution Report Finds Continued Gains
January 25, 2017, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

2021

Juneteenth a Celebration of Freedom (6/29/21)

Clean Air, Bright Future – Resistance to Climate Disaster in Logan (5/24/21)

Is diesel pollution causing cancer & lung disease in your neighborhood? (5/05/21)

Rents are rising! Join Our Affordable Housing Workshop (4/28/21)

Are you worried rents are rising in Barrio Logan? (4/19/21)

Take Action: Tell the Port We Want Clean Air (4/14/21)

Special Election: Are You Voting on April 6, 2021 (3/10/21)

Help Improve Transportation in Your Neighborhood. Take The Survey! (03/04/21)

Honoring Black Environmental Justice Leaders (02/17/21)

United to Vote! Thank you! (01/21/2021)

 

2020

Are You Joining Our Online Celebration? (08/05/2020)

Tell Port of San Diego to STOP DIESEL DEATHS (7/30/2020)

Join EHC to celebrate 40 years of EJ (7/21/2020)

APPLY TODAY: Hotel stay for Navy ship fire pollution relief (7/15/2020)

Join us for a discussion on transportation justice (06/29/2020)

MTS Approves Zero-Emission Recommendations (06/23/2020)

2020 Census = $800 Billion in Federal Funding! (06/18/2020)

Another Painful Reminder: Black Lives Matter (06/02/2020)

JOIN US: Census 2020 Virtual Town Halls (05/28/2020)

TELL THE PORT: No new shipyards and air pollution in National City! (05-18-2020)

Who gets to vote in November? (05-07-2020)

The ‘Nobel Prize’ in Air Quality for EJ goes to… (04-28-2020)

Pay rent or put food on the table? (04-23-2020)

EHC Tackling COVID-19 and Environmental Justice (04-02-2020)

April 1 is Census Day - do it remotely! (03-26-2020)

Tell MTS to Prioritize Environmental Justice (03-18-2020)

POSTPONED – EHC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration (03-17-2020)

Thanks for voting -- now let's make it count (03-05-2020)

Make your vote count on Super Tuesday (03-02-2020)

United to Vote for our communities (02-26-2020)

04:09:2020: Join EHC to celebrate 40 years of EJ (02-18-2020)

Make a pledge to vote on March 3, 2020! (02-05-2020)

 

2019

Double your impact: only one day left! (12-30-2019)

Fighting for Language Justice (12-20-2019)

Information is Power (12-18-2019)

Environmental Health is a Family Affair (12-13-2019)

Fierce Determination in Action (12-10-2019)

Double Your Impact (12-03-2019)

Grateful for 40 years (11/26/2019)

Save The Date: Celebrate 40 years of environmental justice! (11/21/2019)

Go Shopping for Transportation Justice (10/31/2019)

EJ VICTORY: Governor Newsom has signed our bill into law! (10/14/2019)

Tell Governor Newsom: All San Diego Communities Deserve Clean Air! (9/16/2019)

Port Commissioners Vote for Zero Emissions Goals (6/19/2019)

One Step Closer to Clean Air for All San Diegans (5/31/2019)

Reminder: Meet San Diego County Supervisor Candidates Tomorrow (5/28/2019)

Who will be next San Diego County Supervisor? (05/22/19)

VIDEO:Carolina Martinez and Paradise Creek Apartments Receive National Planning Award (04/17/19)

AB 423 Approved by Assembly Committee (04/09/19)

Demand Clean Air for All San Diegans (3/28/19)

Port of San Diego to Develop Clean Air Action Plan (03/22/19)

A Call for Clean Air, Equal Representation and Transparency (02/08/19)

Thank You for Supporting EHC (02/04/19)

MTS Can Lead Our Transportation Future (01/29/19)

You Made Our Holiday Giving Season a Success (01/16/19)

 

2018

We Need Change 12/30/18

Almost There 12/28/18

The Time is Now 12/26/18

Happy Holidays from EHC 12/24/18

Philomena Needs Your Support 12/22/18

Why You Should Support EHC 12/18/18

Barrio Logan Truck Resolution 12/13/2018

End of Year Appeal Letter 12/11/2018

Post-Election Results 12/07/2018

Help EHC Raise $25,000 12/07/2018

Double Your Environmental Justice Impact on Giving Tuesday 12/05/2018

Double Your Impact with EHC on Black Friday 11/27/2018

End Of Year Donations to EHC 11/21/2018

When We Vote, We Win 11/14/2018

Tomorrow, We Vote 11/05/2018

Protect Renters with Measure 10 Affordable Housing 11/03/2018

Measure D Makes Politicians Accountable 11/02/2018

Donate to EHC From Your IRA 10/31/2018 

Start Here, Start Now Identifies Priority Actions for City of San Diego 10/23/2018

Meet the Quintero Family 10/21/2018

Pledge to Vote 10/19/2018

Start Here, Start Now Press Conference Invitation 10/28/2018

EHC Voter Guide 10/12/2018

You are Invited to a Community Forum 09/21/2018

A Story of Teamwork to Achieve Justice 09/10/2018

A Story of Perseverance at the Polls 09/06/2018

A Story of Leadership in Barrio Logan 08/27/2018

You are Invited to a Community Forum 08/17/2018

A Story of Wisdom from Mustafa Santiago Ali 08/15/2018

Congratulations to a New Voter in Barrio Logan 07/25/2018

Meet Two Families Empowering Voters in National City 07/10/2018

We Fought Big Oil and Won! 06/27/2018

We Fought Big Oil and Won! 06/15/2018

Can We Count on You? 06/02/2018

Voting in National City? Read This 05/31/2018

How to Vote for Justice on June 5th 05/29/2018

Saturday Our Walk for Democracy with Councilmember Sotelo-Solis 05/03/2018

A Community Victory for Barrio Logan 04/18/2018

Two Days Left to Get Your Tickets and Join Us 04/17/2018

Tickets are Selling Out for April 19! 04/11/2018

We Invite You to Join Us April 19 04/06/2018

Our Revolution Deserves Music 03/21/2018

And the Awards Go To... 03/15/2018

We Invite You 02/26/2018

Senator Toni Atkins is United to Vote - Are You? 02/21/2018

In April, We Celebrate the Power of Voting 02/15/2018

Wow - Thank You! 01/10/2018

Join Diane for a Community Conversation January 11 01/04/2018

 

2017 

 What are You Proud of in 2017? 12/31/2017

Warmest EHC Wishes for 2018 12/30/2017

Why is Civic Engagement Work Important? 12/28/2017

United to Lead. United to Vote 12/28/2017

Change Begins in Our Neighborhoods 12/19/2017

You can Shift the Culture of Voting 12/08/2017

Ready to do Black Friday? 11/24/2017

Thank You for Believeing in EHC 11/22/2017

This Month, Your Donation Makes Twice the Impact 11/16/2017

 

2021

September: Have you voted? Gov. Recall Election & more Sept news...

August: Clean Air Plan Aims to Reduce Cancer

July: New Park Coming to Barrio Logan

June: 10 Big Moves for Transportation Justice

May: Tell the Port our Health Can't Wait

April: Will the Port be a Good Neighbor?

March: A More Diverse San Diego Air Pollution Control District Board (APCD)

February: Clean Air Victory + more

 

2020

September: 40th Anniversary Online Celebration a HUGE success! + more

August: 40th Anniversary Online Celebration + more

July: Black Lives Matter + more

June: EJ Victory in National City + more

May: Nobel prize for air quality + more

April: COVID-19 response + more

March: 2020 Census + more

February: United to Vote + more

January: EHC's 40th Anniversary + more

 

2019

November-December: EJ Victory with AB 423 + more

October: New partnership with $1 Billion SOMAH program + more

September: Barrio Logan Truck Crash + more

August: Language Justice Win for EJ Communities + more

July: District 1 County Supervisor Candidates Forum + more

June: SALTA community tours + more

May: Chicano Park Herb Garden + more

April: EJ Win -- New truck route signs in Barrio Logan + more

March: Building mass power through community + more

February: Push for environmental justice in 2020 MTS ballot measure + more

January: Win for cleaner air and safer streets in Barrio Logan + more

 

2018

August: Birth of a new mural in Chicano Park - and other news

March: Our first District 8 Candidate Forum - and other news

February: Your neighborhood planning group - and other news

January: Demanding a better SANDAG - and other news

 

2017

December: A new mural for our community - and other news

November: Victory for Transportation Justice - and other news

October: BarrioLive! Comes to Barrio Logan - and other news

September: Victory in National City - and other news

August: Congratulations Francisco and Maria - and other news

July:Our neighborhoods are changing - and other news

June: Two generations of environmental justice - and other news

May: You demanded people before freeways - and other news

April: Honoring social justice visionaries - and other news

March: Calling all SALTA graduates - and other news

February: Cheers to our community leaders - and other news

January: Port adopts sustainable expansion - and other news

 

2016

December: Say 'No' to more pollution in Barrio Logan - and other news

October: Barrio Logan deserves clean air - and other news

September: #Healthyhoods, healthy leaders, healthy kids - and other news

August: Tijuana's newest community leaders - and other news 

July: State leaders come to Barrio Logan - and other news

June: More park space in National City - and other news

April: What we accomplished with people power - and other news

March: A quality of life message - and other news

January: We're setting the precedent in California - and other news

2019

January: Mayra Velaszquez de Leon - and other news

2018

August: Birth of a new mural in Chicano Park - and other news

March: Our first District 8 Candidate Forum - and other news

February: Your neighborhood planning group - and other news

January: Demanding a better SANDAG - and other news

 

2017

December: A new mural for our community - and other news

November: Victory for Transportation Justice - and other news

October: BarrioLive! Comes to Barrio Logan - and other news

September: Victory in National City - and other news

August: Congratulations Francisco and Maria - and other news

July:Our neighborhoods are changing - and other news

June: Two generations of environmental justice - and other news

May: You demanded people before freeways - and other news

April: Honoring social justice visionaries - and other news

March: Calling all SALTA graduates - and other news

February: Cheers to our community leaders - and other news

January: Port adopts sustainable expansion - and other news

 

2016

December: Say 'No' to more pollution in Barrio Logan - and other news

October: Barrio Logan deserves clean air - and other news

September: #Healthyhoods, healthy leaders, healthy kids - and other news

August: Tijuana's newest community leaders - and other news 

July: State leaders come to Barrio Logan - and other news

June: More park space in National City - and other news

April: What we accomplished with people power - and other news

March: A quality of life message - and other news

January: We're setting the precedent in California - and other news

10th Ave. Terminal upgrade gets $33M OK

December 19, 2016, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

Barrio Logan's Marine Terminal Expansion Moves Toward Sustainability

December 14, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Port of San Diego Approves Controversial Marine Terminal Expansion

December 14, 2016, KPBS, Download PDF

Port district talks pollution minimization

December 14, 2016, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

San Diego hits its 2020 climate plan benchmark before document was approved

November 10, 2016, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

Terminal Expansion At Port Of San Diego Concerns Barrio Logan Residents

November 1, 2016, KPBS, Download PDF

The Environmental Justice Argument Against Measure A

October 24, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Uncertainties of Measure A Go Beyond the $18 Billion Total

October 24, 2016, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Measure A: How SANDAG undermines transit, environmental, and social goals

October 23, 2016, San Diego UrbDeZine, Download PDF

Feet, Not Commercials or Mail, Decide the Vote

October 9, 2016, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

City Heights Residents Look to Their Own Neighbors to Increase Voter Turnout

October 7, 2016, KPBS, Download PDF

Sales Tax Linked to Pollution

September 22, 2016, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Prop Report: Measure A

September 8, 2016, KUSI, Download PDF

Building a Healthy Community

August 27, 2016, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Download PDF

More Trucks to Barrel through Barrio Logan

August 25, 2016, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Marine Terminal Expansion Could Raise Pollution in Barrio Logan

August 24, 2016, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Residents Oppose Plan to Expand Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal

August 24, 2016, ABC 10 News, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition Hosts Climate Change Workshop in Barrio Logan

August 15, 2016, Moving Forward Network, Download PDF

Senate Bill Key to Environmental Justice for Industrial National City

August 10, 2016, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Improving Land Use in National City

August 5, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

GROW Fund Partners with Environmental Health Coalition

August 1, 2016, The Packer, Download PDF

GROW by Organics Unlimited Gives Donation to Environmental Health Coalition

August 1, 2016, Perishable News, Download PDF

Monday Morning Good News: San Diego Charity News

August 1, 2016, San Diego Magazine, Download PDF

San Diegans Voice Concerns to State Officials About Air Quality, Environmental Justice, and Climate Change

July 28, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Raising the Bar for Healthy Communities in National City

July 28, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Auto Body Fumes a Frequent Complaint in San Diego

July 25, 2016, inewsource, Download PDF

Youth Programs to Green Up Urban Spaces

July 25, 2016, San Diego Union Tribune, Dowload PDF

Morning Report: Sacramento Comes to San Diego

July 16, 2016, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Regulators Engage Barrio Logan on State's Climate Plan

July 15, 2016, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

The San Diego Foundation Grants $400,300 to Uncrease Access to the Outdoors

July 15, 2016, The San Diego Foundation, Download PDF

Examining the Effects of Climate Change on Barrio Logan

July 14, 2016, KPBS, Download PDF

Kresge Foundation Grant

July 8, 2016, Kresge Foundation, Download PDF

Dear Mayor Faulconer: We Need Equity in San Diego's Climate Action Plan

June 23, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Cox and the Trust for Public Land Annouce Lee Heller as California's 2016 Cox Conserves Hero

June 20, 2016, Just Means, Download PDF

How National City is Fighting Displacement of Poor Residents 

June 17, 2016, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

SANDAG Inches Toward Earlier Funding for Public Transit

June 10, 2016, KPBS, Download PDF

In Low-Voting San Diego Neighborhood, Refugee Groups Want 100 Percent Turnout

June 7, 2016, KQED, Download PDF

Voting 'Yes' on Prop. It Will Immediately Improve Lives in San Diego

June 5, 2016, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Chula Vista Bayfront Plan Shows Power of Consensus-Building

June 3, 2016, California Planning & Development Report, Download PDF

Finalists Named for California’s Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote for Winner

May 25, 2016, PR Newswire, Download PDF

National City Development in Walkable, Close to Transit...and Still has Tons of Parking

May 23, 2016, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Will Climate Action Plan Carry Social Equity?

May 18, 2016, San Diego CityBeat, Download PDF

Transportation Justice for San Diego: Our Message From the Start

May 5, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Praise for San Diego's Forward Thinking Budget

May 4, 2016, The ECOreport, Download PDF

Opposition to Proposed Sales Tax

May 2, 2016, Borrego Sun, Download PDF

San Diego County is Divided Over Proposed Half-Cent Tax for Transportation Projects

May 1, 2016, Los Angeles Times, Download PDF

More Freeways or Mass Transit for Region?

April 29, 2016, San Diego Union-Tribune, Download PDF

Con: Transit tax plan fails to address problems

April 27, 2016, San Diego Union-Tribune, Download PDF

Want To Weigh In On San Diego's Budget? Play the KPBS Budget Game

April 25, 2016, KPBS, Download PDF

It's Time for the California Air Resources Board to Focus on Low-Income Areas, Lawmakers Say

 April 22, 2016, Los Angeles Times, Download PDF

Karen Community Looks Forward to a Safe Crossing at Altadena and El Cajon

April 15, 2016, Speak City Heights, Dowload PDF

Environmental Health Coalition Honors Ecological, Neighborhood Activists in San Diego County and Tijuana

April 13, 2016, San Diego Union-Tribune, Download PDF

Defensores de medio ambiente fronterizo dan premios

 April 9, 2016, Vida Latina SD, Download PDF

Transportation Justice Victories: What We Have Accomplished With People Power

April 2, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

New Mass Transit Plan Gives $3.6B to Cities

March 18, 2016, San Diego Union-Tribune, Download PDF

Environmental Justice Activists React to Candidates in Flint Debate 

 March 9, 2016, Nonprofit Quarterly News, Download PDF

At Flint Debate, Clinton and Sanders Avoid Talk of Environmental Racism

March 8, 2016, InsideClimate News, Download PDF

San Diego Launches New Working Group To Address Climate Change

February 25, 2016, KPBS, Download PDF

Environmental Advocate Appointed to Air Resources Board

February 10, 2016, Imperial Valley Press, Download PDF

San Diego Quality Of Life Coalition Presents Vision Statement to SANDAG for Ballot Measure

February 8, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

San Diego’s Opportunity to Invest in Better Transit, Safer Streets, Good Jobs and Clean Air

February 4, 2016, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Fight Begins on Possible Sales Tax Hike

January 30, 2016, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

Executive Director of the Environmental Health Coalition in National City, CA

January 29, 2016, Social Work Today, Download PDF

San Diego Association of Governments Loves Them Some Freeway

January 26, 2016, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

San Diego Groups: Money for Clean Air and Transit Are Needed

January 26, 2016, Equal Voice, Download PDF

Port Solicits Ideas to Reshape National City Waterfront

January 20, 2016, FOX 5, Download PDF

San Diego’s MTS Compass Card Stuck In The Past

January 14, 2016, KPBS, Dowload PDF

Did fear of lawsuits lead to ambitions climate plan?
December 21, 2015, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

San Diego’s Climate Action Plan Makes California History
December 16, 2015, Equal Voice, Download PDF

San Diego Commits To Slashing Greenhouse Gases
December 15, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

San Diego Adopts Precedent-Setting Climate Action Plan
December 15, 2015, The Eco Report, Download PDF

Inclusion and Equity Essential in San Diego’s Climate Action Plan
December 14, 2015, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

San Diego weighing plan to have 100% green energy by 2035
December 2, 2015, Los Angeles Times, Download PDF

San Diego climate plan moves to full council
November 30, 2015, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

Council Members Vote on Climate Action Plan
November 30, 2015, Various news sources

Bringing environmental justice to poor communities
November 4, 2015, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

A natural refuge in the urban jungle
October 30, 2015, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

SANDAG Approves $204 Billion, 35-Year Transportation Plan
October 9, 2015, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

SANDAG adopts controversial $204B transportation plan
October 9, 2015, 10 News, Download PDF

$204B Transportation Plan Gets Green Light From SANDAG
October 9, 2015, NBC San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Association Of Governments Approves Controversial $200 Billion Transportation Plan
October 9, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

SANDAG approves $204B transportation plan
October 9, 2015, FOX 5, Download PDF

San Diego is host venue for California Bike Summit
October 9, 2015, Bicycle Retailer, Download PDF

Coalition to rally against SANDAG's regional plan
October 8, 2015, Seaside Courier, Download PDF

The Movement for a Balanced Transportation Future In the San Diego Region
September 28, 2015, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Climate Change In San Diego: What’s Faith Got To Do With It?
September 23, 2015, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Answering Earth’s Call: An Interfaith Forum on Climate Justice
September 21, 2015, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Support Pope Francis’ Call for Climate Justice
September 18, 2015, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Neighbors Thrilled National City Auto Shop Is Moving Out
August 20, 2015, Fox 5 San Diego, Download PDF

National City Boots Auto Businesses
August 19, 2015, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition launches Web-based Leadership Training Program for Environmental Justice leaders
August 10, 2015, Moving Forward Network, Download PDF

SR-94 Decision: A Victory For Residents?
July 31, 2015, San Diego Uptown News, Download PDF

Report: San Diego Must Address Inequality For Economic Growth
July 30, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Scrap Yard Fire Raises Concerns About Safety
July 24, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

Labor, Social Justice Advocates Decry ALEC Meeting
July 22, 2015, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Facing community pressure, officials to study alternatives to state Route 94 expansion
July 22, 2015, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

Grants Awarded To South Bay Affordable Housing Project, Transit Line
June 30, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

Pollution Costs California $254 Million
June 16, 2015, The Eco Report, Download PDF

Affordable Housing Near San Diego Gets $9.2M From State
July 10, 2015, Equal Voice For Families, Download PDF

Residents, Officials Make U-turn On State Route 94 expansion
July 1, 2015, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

Special Interview: SR-94 Freeway Expansion Alternatives
June 6, 2015, Voice of San Diego Podcast, Download PDF

San Diego Unions Talk Green, Tests To Come
June 3, 205, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

Here Are San Diego’s Solar Hotspots
June 3, 2015, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Community Groups Launch Petition To Stop Route 94 Expansion
June 1, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

No! To NAFTA On Steroids
May 28, 2015, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Tijuana Plans Protection For Rare River Habitat
May 25, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

Environmentalists Push For Alternatives To Adding Lanes To Route 94
May 21, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

Environmental Justice Close To Home
May 20, 2015, California Western Environmental Law Society Newsletter, Download PDF

State Route 94 Becomes Battleground In San Diego Region's Transportation Fight
May 20, 2015, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

SANDAG’s Transportation Plan Could Hinder San Diego’s Climate Goals
May 14, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

Grupo Binacional Luchará Por Ecosistema Del Alamar
April 19, 2015, OEM En Linea, Download PDF

Recorrido Inculca Respeto Al Alamar
April 19, 2015, Frontera, Download PDF

Disfrutan Flora Y Fauna Nativa Del Alamar En Recorrido.
April 18, 2015, Diario Tijuana, Download PDF

Concientizan Sobre El Valor Del Arroyo Alamar
April 18, 2015, La Jornada, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition To Honor Awardees
April 16, 2015, San Diego Source - Daily Transcript, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Again On The Defensive Over Neighborhood Development
April 15, 2015, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

San Diegans: What Would You Change In Your City's Budget?
April 7, 2015, KPBS, Download PDF

New Carlsbad Power Plant Placed in Doubt
M arch 6, 2015, UT San Diego, Download PDF

The Ol' Climate Action Plan Push Thing
March 5, 2015, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Faulconer’s First Year: Mostly Doing Nothing, But Looking Good While Doing It
March 3, 2015, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Faulconer's first year praised
March 1, 2015, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Preserving Tijuana's Alamar Creek
February 15, 2015, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Buscan Solución Para Conservar El Arroyo Alamar
February 13, 2015, Telemundo 33, Download PDF

Instalan Mesa Técnica Del Arroyo Alamar
February 13, 2015, Uniradio Informa, Download PDF

Mesa Ténica Del Arroyo Alamar No Dañará Manto Acuîfero Y Especies
February 12, 2015, Frontera, Download PDF

Comienza Última Etapa De Canalización Del Arroyo Alamar
January 30, 2015, Zeta Tijuana, Download PDF

Gobierno Evalua Proyectos De Urbanizacion En Arroyo Alamar
January 30, 2015, San Diego Red, Download PDF

200 MDP Para Concluir Canalización Del Arroyo Alamar
January 30, 2015, Uniradio Informa, Download PDF

Local Organization Questions SANDAG's Retreat Location
January 30, 2015, 10 News, Download PDF

In Response: Restore Democracy
January 23, 2015, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Bits: Barrio Logan Planning Group Begins
January 23, 2015, UT San Diego, Download PDF

A Dozen Organizations Doing Good Deeds in San Diego
December 26, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

At OB's Mixte Communications, Everything is New
December 18, 2014, San Diego Community Newspaper Group, Download PDF

Hay Clases Para Formar Líderes Comunitarios
December 13, 2014, Vida Latina SD, Download PDF

Faulconer Announces $3.4M Federal Grant to Improve Health and Safety for Young Children
December 12, 2014, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, Download PDF

SANDAG Rejects Calls to Delay Freeway Expansion
November 23, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego's Most Polluted Areas
November 19, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Group asks state high court to review Pio Pico case
November 12, 2014, The Daily Transcript, Download PDF

Port Cuts Air Pollution
November 10, 2014, UT San Diego, Dowload PDF 

Audubon Leads the Fight for Our Birds
November, 2014, Sketches, Download PDF

SD Enters Bike Sharing World
November 2, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

County Environmental Inspections Lag
October 23, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Dulces con plomo envenenan la infancia
October 23, 2014, Vida Latina San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Group Formed
October 21, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Activistas de San Diego denuncian alta contaminación en barrios hispanos
October 18, 2014, De Agencia EFE, Download PDF

David Alvarez Brokers Compromise on Siting of Winter Homeless Shelter
October 9, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

First look at Faulconer's climate plan
October 2, 2014, The Reader, Download PDF

What's the climate action plan, Mayor Faulconer?
September 23, 2014, The Reader, Download PDF

A One-on-One Conversation with District 8 Councilman David Alvarez
September 18, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

San Diego needs to put transit and active transportation first
September 13, 2014, East County Magazine, Download PDF

San Diego needs to put transit and active transportation first
September 10, 2014, The Eco Report, Download PDF

Community proposes alternative transit plan
September 5, 2014, CBS 8 / KFMB, Download PDF

Advocates push SANDAG for transit-first policy
September 10, 2014, City Beat, Download PDF

League of Women Voters Hosts Luncheon on Climate Change September 18
September 7, 2014, East County Magazine, Download PDF

The Biggest Decision the Mayor Has to Make on the Climate Action Plan
September 2, 2014, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Chamber aims to push political clout
August 28, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Critics say Kevin Faulconer’s stalling on environmental policies
August 20, 2014, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

Inauguran cruce peatonal para alumnos de primaria
August 14, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF

KPBS Evening Edition
August 7, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF

Here’s The Chatter On San Diego’s Proposed Climate Action Plan
August 7, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF 

Premiere Video Learning Tool Gives Power Back to the Communities
July 31, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Environment Committee Urges Mayor Faulconer to Finalize Climate Action Plan 
July 25, 2014, The ECO Report, Download PDF

It’s the environment, stupid
July 24, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Environment, Climate Change Don’t Seem to be on Mayor Faulconer’s Agenda
July 24, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Environment, Climate Change Don’t Seem to be on Mayor Faulconer’s Agenda
July 24, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

La canalización del arroyo Alamar es una idea sin sentido, aseguró Magdalena Cerda Báez
July 16, 2014, El Solde Tijuana, Download PDF

Buscan que Arroyo Alamar sea parque natural
July 16, 2014, Agencia Fronteriza de Noticias, Download PDF

Climate Education Partners and The San Diego Foundation Release "San Diego, 2050 Is Calling. How Will We Answer?"
July 9, 2014, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Download PDF

Port of San Diego Acknowledges Environmental Justice
July 9, 2014, Equal Voice News, Download PDF

SD wrestles with climate-change plan
July 3, 2014, Union Tribune, Download PDF

San Francisco, San Diego Votes Shaped Waterfronts' Futures In June Election
June 17, 2014, California Planning and Development Report, Download PDF

Local Artist Raises Environmental Awareness
June 16, 2014, Oceanside News, Download PDF

Most Influential: Kevin Faulconer ... And The Rest of The List
June 8, 2014, Our City San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Residents on B & C Defeat: "We Will Never Give Up the Fight"
June 6, 2014, La Prensa San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Voters Reject Barrio Logan Community Plan
June 4, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Plan Supporters Promise New Plan After Election Defeat
June 4, 2014, Fox 5, Download PDF

Environmentalists Say Bill Undermines San Diego Climate Plan
June 4, 2014, San Diego CityBeat, Download PDF

San Diego to Barrio Logan: No.
June 4, 2014, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

After Props B and C Fail, Supporters Say They Will Create New Plan to Improve Health in Area
June 3, 2014, San Diego 6, Download PDF

Voters Reject Barrio Logan Props B,C
June 3, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Can San Diego Meet New EPA Carbon Emissions Standards?
June 3, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF

Props B and C on Election Eve
June 2, 2014, KUSI, Download PDF

Art Brought to Barrio Logan Battle
June 2, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

El Futuro de Barrio Logan en la Urna
June 1, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego's Barrio Logan Neighborhood at Center of Land-Use Clash
June 1, 2014, LA Times, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Artivists Say ¡Basta! to Pollution
May 30, 2014, La Prensa San Diego, Download PDF

Who Doesn't Not Want Hazardous Chemicals?
May 29, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Community Leaders Gather in La Jolla for Props B and C
May 29, 2014, La Jolla Light, Download PDF

One-Day Art Show Highlights Fight Against Toxic Pollution in Barrio Logan
May 29, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

San Diego's Barrio Imbroglio
May 28, 2014, San Diego CityBeat, Download PDF

Barrio's Future on Ballot
May 28, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Props. B & C: Barrio Logan Plan Goes Before Voters
May 26, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF

"Sustainability Program Manager" Would Cost $200,000
May 23, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Measures: Business Donors Give Nearly $1M, 20 Times More Than Community Plan Backers
May 23, 2014, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Mayor Faulconer Called to Move on Climate Action Plan
May 22, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Industry Digs Deep to Defeat Barrio Logan Plan
May 21, 2014, San Diego CityBeat, Download PDF

19 Organizations Call on San Diego Mayor for Climate Action
May 21, 2014, The Ecore Report, Download PDF

Rebooting Barrio Logan Plan
May 21, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Fact Check: Clearing the Air in Barrio Logan
May 19, 2014, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Wildfires: Why We Need a Strong Climate Plan
May 18, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Plan Has Implications for City, Backers Say
May 17, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

A Progressive Procrastinators 2014 Primary Guide – Part Three: Saying 'Yes' to All State and Local Ballot Propositions
May 16,2014, OB Rag, Download PDF

Normal Heights Planners Vote on Barrio Plan
May 13, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition asks Yes vote on Props B and C
May 12, 2014, KUSI, Download PDF

Props B and C: Barrio Logan Community Update
May 12, 2014, San Diego 6, Download PDF

What's at Stake with Propositions B and C? 
May 12, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

San Diego Goddam! The June 3rd Election And Why You Should Care
May 7, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Yes on Props B, C: Protect Health of Barrio Logan's Children
May 3, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Will Money Defeat Barrio Logan Residents? 
April 29, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Hazardous Waste and Asthma? What Hazardous Waste and Asthma?
April 24, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Plan Campaign, Pro and Con, Kicks Off
April 24, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF

San Diego Healthcare Workers Show Support for Barrio Logan Community Plan
April 24, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF

Georgette Gomez: Una Visionaria de Exito
April 23, 2014, Mexico Aqui, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition and San Diego Labor: 30 Years of Building Power Together
April 23, 2014, Labor's Edge, Download PDF

San Diego: Doctors & Nurses Support Barrio Logan Community Plan
April 23, 2014, The ECO Report, Download PDF

Toxic Contaminant Releases in Barrio Logan Confirmed - Another Reason to Support the Community Plan
April 23, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Here Comes Deja Moo to Barrio Logan
April 17, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

New Chicano Park Muralists Are Honored to Paint in the Park
April 16, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

For Barrio Logan: Yes on Props. B and C
April 9, 2014, San Diego City Beat, Download PDF

Reinstalan Comité de Playas Limpias
April 8, 2014, FronterA, Download PDF

Judge Allows Barrio Logan Zoning Referendum to Remain on June Ballot
April 4, 2014, CBS 8, Download PDF

What the Emails Tell Us
April 3, 2014, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

Judge to Decide if Barrio Logan Community Plan Goes to Court or Ballot Box
April 3, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF

Community Plan to Overcome Injustice!
April 1, 2014, EPA Environmental Justice in Action, Download PDF

Community or Industry, Who Decides In Our Democracy?
March 20, 2014, San Diego County Democratic Party Club News, Download PDF

Most Influential: Environemntalist Diane Takvorian
March 19, 2014, Our City San Diego, Download PDF

State Clears Way for Carlsbad Power Plant
March 13, 2014, UT San Diego, Download PDF 

Port of San Diego Celebrates Shore-Power System Installation
March 7, 2014, San Diego Community News Group, Download PDF

U.S. Prosecutes Importers of Toys Containing Lead
February 26, 2014, Environment News Service, Download PDF

Port of San Diego Celebrates Shore Power Installation
February 25, 2014, The Maritime Executive, Download PDF

What Did David Alvarez' Campaign Mean to San Diego?
February 24, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Visión a Futuro
February 18, 2014, Univision San Diego, Download PDF

Arroyo Alamar Area Importante porque Mejora la Calidad del Aire
February 18, 2014, UniEnsenada, Download PDF

Afecta la Fauna y Flora Etapa en Arroyo Alamar
February 17, 2014, El Sol de Tijuana, Download PDF

Preparan Acto en Defensa del Arroyo Alamar
February 17, 2014, ZETA, Download PDF

Editorial Arroyo Alamar
February 17, 2014, Lu'um Kaab Project, Download PDF

Marchan ONG's a Favor de Alternativas en Alamar
February 17, 2014, FronterA, Download PDF

Marchan en pro del Alamar
February 16, 2014, El Sol de Tijuana, Download PDF

ONG's Marchan en Arroyo Alamar
February 15, 2014, UniMexicali, Download PDF

Marchan Activistas en Defensa del Arroyo Alamar
February 15, 2014, En Linea BC, Download PDF

Emitiran Resolucion de Amparo en Contra de Canalizacion en Arroyo Alamar
February 15, 2014, Milenio, Download PDF

Amor a Tijuana en Movimiento: Salvemos el Arroyo Alamar
February 13, 2014, San Diego Red, Download PDF

Van por la Tercera Etapa del Alamar
February 13, 2014, Milenio, Download PDF

Environmental Group Gives Assemblywoman Toni Atkins Good Grade

February 11, 2014, Coronado Patch, Download PDF

Environmental Health Coalition Announces 2014 Celebration on April 10
February 10, 2014, The ECO Report, Download PDF

CPUC Approves Pio Pico Plant in Otay Mesa Despite Protest
February 5, 2014, KPBS, Download PDF 

California Public Utilities Commission Approves Otay Mesa Pio Pico Energy Center
February 5, 2014, 10News, Download PDF

A Healthy Home is a Happy Home
January 31, 2014, San Diego Family Magazine, Download PDF

SANDAG Allocates Additional Funds to Bike Plan
January 31, 2014, San Diego Uptown News, Download PDF

Pollution: In Our Air, In Our Politics
January 25, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

San Diego Residents, Ship Building Industry Face Off Over Community Plan Aimed at Protecting Public Health
January 23, 2014, California Healthline, Download PDF

San Diego Residents Fight for Community Plan
January 19, 2014, California Health Report, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Gateway Sign Project Breaks Ground
January 16, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

To Hell with Pio Pico - It's Time for a La Jolla Power Plant
January 8, 2014, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Community Says No to $1.6-Billion Pio Pico Power Plant
January 8, 2014, East County Magazine, Download PDF

 

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2012

EHC Update March 14, 2012
- EHC News: Regional Board Orders Cleanup for San Diego Bay

EHC Update February 3, 2012
- EHC Media Coverage: EPA presents Environmental Justice Award to EHC

2011

EHC Action Alert December 9, 2011
- Take Action: Attend Climate Change Hearing

EHC Action Alert December 8, 2011
- Take Action: Oppose SDG&E Solar Rate Hike

EHC Action Alert November 25, 2011
- Take Action: Attend Climate Mitigation and Action Plan Hearings

EHC News and Updates November 7, 2011
- Take Action: Tell the Regional Board that you want a Clean San Diego Bay NOW!

EHC News and Updates October 26, 2011
- Take Action: Tell Senate to stop putting kids at risk - Don't cut funding to CDC's Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
- Victory: Semi-trucks banned near schools in Colonia Chilpancingo

EHC News and Updates October 25, 2011
- Take Action: Say NO to SANDAG's 2050 Regional Transportation Plan
- EHC Commentary: Transit First is a Better Plan, San Diego Union-Tribune, October 23, 2011

EHC News and Updates October 17, 2011
- EHC Media Coverage: My San Diego: Neglected communities deserve a chance to thrive, Commentary by Diane Takvorian, San Diego Union-Tribune, October 16, 2011

EHC News and Updates October 13, 2011
- Take Action: Take action today for a Cleaner San Diego Bay
- EHC Media Coverage: Energy: Solar Community Organizes Against SDG&E's Proposed rates, North County Times, October 12, 2011
- Take Action: Attend the San Diego Mayoral Forum on October 19

EHC News and Updates October 6, 2011
- News: State Attorney General rips San Diego pollution reduction plan
- News: EHC representative selected to chair the South Bay Wildlife Advisory Committee

EHC News and Updates September 16, 2011
- Take Action: Attend Politifest 2011 on September 27
- News: Going Solar in San Diego
- News: Energy Upgrades for San Diego homeowners

EHC News and Updates September 2, 2011
- EHC Media Coverage: In the Shadow of San Diego, The Progressive Magazine, September 2011
- EHC Media Coverage: Toxins troubling in fish caught in local waters, The San Diego Union-Tribune, August 14, 2011
- EHC Media Coverage: Maquiladora Factories Manufacture Toxic Pollutants, Inter Press Service, August 23, 2011

EHC News and Updates August 8, 2011
- Take Action: Attend "Signs of the Tide" forum, August 9, 2011
- EHC Media Coverage: EHC and SD Coastkeeper join KPBS Midday Edition to talk about sediment cleanup and environmental justice

EHC News and Updates July 29, 2011
- News: Diane Takvorian named to San Diego Union-Tribune Community Editorial Board
- News: San Diego Councilmembers Young and Alvarez join EHC and Environment California for green jobs report release

Follow EHC on Twitter for LIVE Green Energy Conference Updates

Tell the City Redistricting Committee to Listen to the Community!

Listen Up! You made our Spring Campaign a Success!

Join EHC for the Port of San Diego Public Workshop on Climate Change

'EHC is working for justice in my community'

The Road to Health

Healthy Kids need Healthy Communities to thrive

No child should live in a place that makes them sick

Happy New Year from EHC!

NBC San Diego. View Story

The Star-News. View Story. Download PDF.

NBC San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

ABC 10 News San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

Univision. View Story. Download PDF.

NBCTelemundo. View Story. Download PDF.

The San Diego Union-Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

Voice of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

The Guardian. View Story. Download PDF.

New York Times. View Story. Download PDF.

The Star News. View Story. Download PDF.

Noticiasya. View Story. Download PDF.

Sacramento Bee. View Story. Download PDF.

Featuring EHC's Barrio Logan Policy Advocate, Julie Corrales

Next City. View Story. Download PDF.

El censo de población continúa. La emergencia sanitaria por el covid-19 ha dificultado su promoción tradicional por lo que autoridades y asociaciones civiles se vieron forzadas a cambiar su estrategia para garantizar que las comunidades sean contadas de forma correcta.

SDUT (En Español). View Story. Download PDF.

Port commissioners axed a proposed ship repair project in National City last month. But that doesn’t satisfy environmental justice advocates who say any new industry in the bay upends nascent state efforts to stem toxic pollution in nearby neighborhoods.

SDUT. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diegan’s living in neighborhoods near the border and the waterfront’s industrial areas face persistent pollution-related health risks and while pollution is down the risk remains high.

KPBS. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

KPBS. Listen to Story.

Hear EHC's Jorge Gonzales talk about the 2020 Census, and how digital technologies are playing a critical role this year (7:21 - 15:09).

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Reader. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

L.A.Times. View Story. Download PDF.

State money is funding anti-pollution efforts in San Diego
January 27, 2019, Los Angeles Times 

Six Years and $1M Later, the County Still Doesn’t Have a Plan to Fight Climate Change
January 7, 2019, Voice of San Diego

Opinion: San Diego Can Be a Leader in California’s Transition Off Fossil Fuels
December 14, 2018, Times of San Diego

City Council Votes to Re-Route Truck Traffic in Barrio Logan
December 4, 2018, Times of San Diego

People of the Year 2018: Philomena Marino
November 21, 2018, San Diego CityBeat

Presentan 'Mi comunidad y el Alamar', con información de flora y fauna
November 19, 2018, Uniradio Informa

Tijuana Youth Group Launches Comic Book Focused On Conservation
November 19, 2018, Times of San Diego

Legislating a Just Transition off Fossil Fuels: San Diego Champions Lead on Climate and Energy Policies
November 5, 2018, San Diego Free Press

Environmental justice advocates blast San Diego for lack of progress on climate plan
October 29, 2018, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Mejoras a Tránsito son Énfasis de Reporte Ambiental
October 29, 2018, La Prensa San Diego

Activists Push For Environmental Justice In San Diego Neighborhoods
October 22, 2018, KPBS

Activists Call on San Diego Officials to Make Climate Improvements 
October 22, 2018, Times of San Diego

Environment Report: Report Throws Shade on Climate Plan's Impact in Low-Income Communities
October 22, 2018, Voice of San Diego

In Barrio Logan, a New Chicano Park Mural Reflects on History and Promotes Unity
August 15, 2018, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

Study Shows Lack of Diversity Among San Diego Leaders
August 10, 2018, La Prensa San Diego, Download PDF

Diversity in the San Diego County Government 
August 10, 2018, KSDY, Watch video

Why Energy Policy Must Include Environmental Justice
July 19, 2018, San Diego Union Tribune, Download PDF

National City Wins Big in SANDAG Smart Growth Grant Program
July 18, 2018, KPBS, Download PDF

Morning Report: National City Struggles to Untangle Homes and Polluting Businesses
July 3, 2018, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

12 Years in, National City has Only Booted Two Polluting Businesses From Residential Neighborhoods
July 3, 2018, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

From Police Reform To Playgrounds, San Diego Coalition Seeks A City Budget For The People
May 29, 2018, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

Building Democracy: People and Purpose in San Diego County
May 15, 2018, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Download PDF

Project Innovation: Environmental Health Coalition
May 8, 2018, NBC San Diego, Download PDF

Barrio Logan Election Do-Over
April 23, 2018, San Diego Reader, Download PDF Part 1, Part 2

Port of San Diego Chairman Rafael Castellanos Praises Truck Ordinance
April 13, 2018, Times of San Diego, Download PDF

Decertification of Barrio Logan Planning Group Election a Civil Rights Issue, Say Activists
April 11, 2018, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

After Dispute, Barrio Logan Planning Group Will Vote Again On New Members
April 4, 2018, KPBS, Download PDF

How Proposition 70 Threatens Climate Investments
March 29, 2018, UT San Diego, Download PDF

Morning Report: Coastal Loophole Allows Houses to Balloon in Size
March 26, 2018, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Politics Report: Votes Thrown Out in Barrio Logan
March 25, 2018, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

City’s Truck Resolution Insufficient Residents Say
March 22, 2018, La Prensa San Diego, Download PDF

Candidates Square Off for Alvarez's Council Seat
March 15, 2018, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

District 8 Candidates Attend Forum to Discuss Key Community Issues
March 15, 2018, La Prensa San Diego, Download PDF

Readers Write: San Diego Legislators Lead the State on Environmental Justice
March 7, 2018, San Diego Free Press, Download PDF

San Diego Legislators Lead the State on Environmental Justice
March 7, 2018, Keep Health Care, Download PDF

Video: New Generation Joins Barrio Logan's Long Fight
March 6, 2018, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Cedric Garland Recognized by Marquis Who's Who for Excellence in Epidemiology and Education
February 21, 2018, Chicago Evening Post, Download PDF

California’s Real Climate Leaders: Frontline Communities
February 14, 2018, Medium, Download PDF

MTS Board Elects Georgette Gomez Chairwoman
January 18, 2018, KPBS, Download PDF

Sign of the Times: Progressive Gomez Takes Over at Stodgy MTS
January 18, 2018, Voice of San Diego, Download PDF

Community garden to grow in National City
January 6, 2018, San Diego Reader, Download PDF

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Advocates Celebrate San Diego's Transportation Plan

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) passes the most equitable, environmentally just Regional Transportation Plan to date.

Today, SANDAG’s Board of Directors approved the 2021 Regional Plan (RP), which will determine San Diego County’s transportation future for decades to come. The newly passed RTP provides a pathway to modernize San Diego’s transit system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease lung-damaging air pollution, and meet the needs of the low-income communities of color who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

 

“The planet is burning and our current transportation system is heavily contributing to the fire, damaging our lungs, and failing the low-income communities of color who depend on it the most,” said Carolina Martinez, Climate Justice Director, Environmental Health Coalition. “93% of San Diego’s low-income residents do not have access to fast and frequent transit and the 2021 Regional Plan provides critical lifelines to change that.”

 

Led by the San Diego Transportation Equity Working Group, residents at the frontlines of the climate crisis in Barrio Logan, City Heights, and National City identified 10 priorities to improve the transit system- the 10 Transit Lifelines. These lifelines reflect a vision to advance affordable and frequent transit solutions that will benefit all San Diegans. Transportation justice advocates have worked for decades to advance expanded transit with little success until the last few years with the SANDAG reforms instituted by AB 805.

 

“Throughout the planning process, SANDAG was proactive in including our communities, as a result, the 2021 Regional Plan is the most equitable and solution-driven regional plan to date,” said Diane Takvorian, co-founder and Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition. “The Regional Plan paves a path to make the 10 Transit Lifelines a reality.”

 

The 10 Transit Lifelines are:

  1. A Regional Plan that prioritizes environmental justice
  2. Youth opportunity passes
  3. Bus service every 10 minutes
  4. Build a 24-hour Blue Line Express
  5. 24 – hour service
  6. Fund the Purple Line
  7. An all-electric bus fleet by 2030
  8. Anti-displacement strategies
  9. Restroom access
  10. Emergency-ready transit system

“I’ve lost countless moments with my family waiting at bus stops, running to catch the bus, coordinating my life around our inconvenient and unreliable transit system,” said Esperanza Gonzalez, a City Heights Resident who rides the bus to work. “I used my 30 years of experience riding the bus to help develop the 10 Transit Lifelines and it is so encouraging that SANDAG listened to us and passed a regional plan that will improve the lives of working people like me.“

 

To learn more about Esperanza and the 10 Transit Lifelines, visit enviromentalhealth.org/transitjustice.

 

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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 climate change. Visit www.environmentalhealth.org [environmentalhealth.org] to learn more.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Barrio Logan Finally Gets A Community Plan That Protects Residents

After more than four decades and a devastating industry-led referendum, San Diego City Council approved an update to Barrio Logan’s community plan.

 

Today, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to approve a Community Plan Update for Barrio Logan that will prioritize resident’s health, air quality, and culture, while slowing gentrification. This update is more than 40 years in the making. The previous Barrio Logan Community Plan allowed polluting businesses to operate right next to homes and schools.

 

“Barrio Logan residents have fought for a community plan update since the 1970s,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Coalition. “This update is long overdue and will help put an end to the environmental racism residents have faced for generations.”

 

One of only 14 California Cultural Districts designated by the state, Barrio Logan is one of the most Latino/a/x communities in San Diego and has some of the lowest median income in the City. This vibrant cultural gem also suffers from some of the worst air quality in the State. Polluting highways and industries surround it. These same industries ran a referendum in 2013 that crushed a council-approved update to Barrio Logan’s community plan, which would have separated residential areas from industry.

 

“I know some neighbors that have asthma, in particular children,” said Barrio Logan resident Elizabeth Chavez speaking in support of the Community Plan Update during the City Council meeting. “With this plan in place, future generations' health won’t be at high risk for developing even worse health issues.” She was one of the more than 20 residents who spoke in support of the plan.

 

The 2021 Barrio Logan Community Plan Update provides even stronger environmental protections for residents than the 2013 Draft. The new update that the City Council approved will:

 

  • Put a buffer zone between industrial and residential areas of the neighborhood
  • Promote more green spaces, like parks, and tree canopy
  • Preserve community culture and history
  • Improve walkability and increased opportunities for safe, accessible public transit
  • Require more affordable housing and prevent displacement of residents in new developments

 

“On top of pollution residents live with daily, they are now threatened by gentrification,” said Julie Corrales, Barrio Logan resident and Policy Advocate at Environmental Health Coalition. “Although this plan provides unprecedented gentrification and displacement protections, the community still needs more. It must be this Council’s most pressing priority in the coming year to adopt an update of the City’s Tenant’s Right to Know Ordinance that will provide more tenant protections.”

 

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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 climate change. Visit www.environmentalhealth.org [environmentalhealth.org] to learn more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 16, 2021

Contact:

Angelica Estrada

562-708-3093

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Clean Air Plan Aims to Reduce Cancer Risk for Portside Communities

San Diego Air Pollution Control District adopts ambitious plan to reduce cancer-causing pollution in San Diego’s portside communities.

SAN DIEGO, July 16, 2021 –  A newly reformed and more diverse SDAPCD board distinguished itself on Friday from its predecessors by approving an ambitious public health-centered Community Emission Reduction Plan (CERP). In addition to reducing air pollution, the newly approved plan establishes strategies to decrease the cancer risk for communities neighboring the Port of San Diego. These portside communities - Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, and West National City – are exposed to vastly disproportionate amounts of cancer-causing air toxins.

Portside community cancer risks are as follows:

  • According to EPA’s National Air Toxics Assessment, residents in the portside area have a higher risk of developing cancer from air toxins than 93% of the nation.
  • Portside communities are exposed to more diesel particulate matter pollution – which is known to cause cancer – than 95% of California.
  • Diesel pollution causes 84 percent of the cancer risk from air pollution in Barrio Logan and National City communities, according to the California Air Resources Board.

“Many families, including my own, have suffered both physically and financially from health complications due to the air pollution we breathe. My grandfather who lived in Barrio Logan the majority of his life passed away from lung cancer, and my mother has had to undergo two surgeries to address her respiratory problems,” said Maritza Garcia, a third-generation Barrio Logan resident. “The SDAPCD’s vote to approve the Community Emission Reduction Plan (CERP) shows that they are listening to the community and prioritizing our health. We deserve clean air just like everyone else.”

Currently, the San Diego APCD cancer risk reduction threshold is 100 per million, which - along with San Joaquin Valley - is the highest for the five large air districts in California. This means that in the San Diego region each permitted business can emit enough toxic air contaminants to put 100 people in a million at risk of developing cancer. The recently adopted CERP will work to reduce this risk down to 10 people per million people in portside communities by 2026. This is just one of 11 community health-centered goals in the plan.

“The new SD APCD board has shown great leadership and a deep commitment to environmental justice by voting to approve this aspirational CERP,” said Joy Williams, who represents the Environmental Health Coalition on the Portside Community Steering Committee, also known as the AB 617 Steering Committee. “The CERP addresses the community’s highest priorities to reduce health risks due to air pollution, such as diesel and other toxins, and increase trees and green spaces in their neighborhoods.”

The CERP includes goals to lower diesel pollution from 2018 levels by 2031 and transition medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks from diesel to 100% zero-emission vehicles five years ahead of the state requirements. Diesel pollution does not just cause cancer. It aggravates respiratory diseases like asthma and is associated with low-birth weight. Children in portside communities, like Logan Heights and National City, have more than double the rate of asthma emergency rooms visit than the county average, and triple the rate of La Jolla.

To read the entire CERP in English, click here.

To read the entire CERP in Spanish, click here.

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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 climate change. Visit online at http://www.environmentalhealth.org.

 Under Increasing Community Pressure, Port of San Diego Charts New Direction to Meaningful Clean Air Strategy

Board of Port Commissioners supports public health goals in its Maritime Clean Air Strategy

SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2021 – Portside communities have long suffered from air pollution generated by Port of San Diego operations, which causes cancer, heart disease, asthma, and other respiratory problems. On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, the Port’s Board of Port Commissioners held a virtual hearing on the Port’s draft Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS), a plan that is supposed to outline how the Port will reduce the air pollution it generates and address public health in Portside communities.

A coalition of community residents, and state and local organizations led by Environmental HeaIth Coalition (EHC) mobilized in opposition to the current draft MCAS. They argued that it would maintain the status quo and not meaningfully reduce harmful air pollutants. In response, the Board directed Port staff to develop a new draft that sets specific public health goals for clean air, creates an achievable transition plan to zero emission heavy-duty trucks, while supporting economic development. The Board also asked staff to increase community and stakeholder outreach and provide a longer review and comment period.

“The MCAS as we know is a guiding document, but even as a guiding document it holds itself to be transformative on how we provide a path on encouraging sustainable economic growth that won’t be at the expense of public health,” said Port Commissioner Sandy Naranjo.

Agreeing with Naranjo, Commissioner Jennifer LeSar said, “I really believe that clean air is a civil rights issue.” She called for approaching the MCAS from a restorative lens that does not focus on just meeting minimum requirements but embraces aspirational goals that push the Port to lead.

Some commissioners called for an approach that balances public health with tenants and industry interests. While maintaining the importance of economic vitality, Board Chair Michael Zucchet reminded the commission of the Port’s imbalanced history.

“I don’t think there has been a balance. I think there has been a 100% emphasis on commerce and the maritime industry…,” said Zucchet. “…we can all think of all the ways where environmental quality, where public health has been sacrificed over the years…”

Portside communities, like National City and Barrio Logan, have some of the highest levels of diesel pollution in the region. Children in these communities have more than double the rate of asthma emergency room visits than the county average. A recent report found that over 80% of the cancer risk San Diegans breathe in is from diesel pollution.

“My husband suffers from respiratory problems and has cancer, and the pollution that comes from the port and the trucks that pass through my community every day makes his medical condition worse...,” shared Alicia Sanchez, a National City resident, during the public comment portion.

The coalition led by EHC is calling for an MCAS that 1) decreases the risk of cancer by reducing diesel and other toxic air pollutants, 2) requires heavy-duty diesel drayage trucks to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2030 – five years ahead of the state’s requirements, and 3) provides the infrastructure, funding, and implementation mechanisms necessary to achieve these goals. Over 200 community members signed a petition in support of these environmental justice goals.

“With the amount of diesel pollution our communities are exposed to, they cannot afford to wait until the state’s 2035 ZEV goal to breathe cleaner air. We need a commitment from the Port of San Diego that they will lead the state in emission reduction, not begrudgingly follow,” said Diane Takvorian, the executive director of Environmental Health Coalition. “Based on what we heard today, it looks like this new Board of Port Commissioners is listening to the community and is ready to do their part so we can all breathe clean air. We are cautiously optimistic, but we will not let up the pressure.”

Port staff is expected to produce a new draft for public review and comment, before presenting a final draft to the Board of Port Commissioners in September 2021. To watch the May 11, 2021, hearing, please click here. The MCAS is item 15.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Angelica Estrada
Communications Director, Environmental Health Coalition
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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 climate change. Visit online  http://www.environmentalhealth.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 2, 2021

Contact:

Angelica Estrada

Communications Director, Environmental Health Coalition

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Three Public Members Join Newly Reformed San Diego Air Pollution Control District Board

Ushering in a New Era of Clean Air

With the sixth worst air quality in the nation, Environmental Health Coalition is hopeful San Diego’s new Air Pollution Control District (APCD) board will take bold action to protect the health of the 3 million San Diego County Residents.

San Diego’s APCD appoints the state’s first ever-Environmental Justice Member, along with a Public Health/Physician Member, and Air Pollution Science/ Technology member.

SAN DIEGO, April 2, 2021 – Environmental Health Coalition congratulates the three public members appointed to the newly reformed San Diego Air Pollution Control District Governing Board. The three new members appointed by the Board are Anne Marie Birkbeck-Garcia, MD to the Public Health/Physician Member seat, Enrique Medina to the Air Pollution Science/Technology Member seat, and Georgette Gomez to the Environmental Justice Member seat – the very first in the state.

With these three public members, the SDAPCD Board is now comprised of 11 members tasked with improving San Diego County’s air quality to protect the health of its over 3 million residents who breathe some of the most polluted air in California and the nation. In San Diego, nearly 10% of children across the region have asthma, and children in the areas most impacted by air pollution have three to five times more than the county average in hospitalizations.

“My family has lived in Logan for a few generations and as a result, we have endured a tremendous amount of air pollution in our neighborhood. Due to this pollution, my mother has had to undergo two surgeries for her breathing problems," said Maritza Garcia, a Barrio Logan resident.  “Having an Environmental Justice member on the board that cares about neighborhoods like mine makes me hopeful to see major improvements to clean our air. Our lives depend on it.”

Gomez will be the first environmental justice member to sit on an ACPD board in the state. The immediate past president of San Diego City Council and former EHC Associate Director, Gomez has lived, worked, and represented nearly all the 40 San Diego census tracks that are the top 25% most polluted areas in the state. Most of those census tracks are south of interstate eight in low-income neighborhoods of color.

“Anne Marie, Enrique, and Georgette all deeply understand the terrible health impacts pollution has on our most vulnerable communities because of their personal experiences with it and will work to significantly improve air quality in these communities,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of Environmental Health Coalition.

Raised in South San Diego, Dr. Birkbeck-Garcia is a pediatrician who treats children suffering from respiratory and other life-threatening diseases made worse by severe air pollution. An EHC board member since 2009, Medina is an environmental and occupational health and safety professional who volunteers his time and expertise in San Diego and Tijuana addressing air pollution and health issues.

“It is really exciting to see AB 423 become reality. The new SDAPCD Board is so much more representative of San Diego County’s vast and diverse population,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “It provides a great opportunity for the Air District to get on the right track and I look forward to air quality improvements in the near future.”

In 2019, following demands from environmental justice communities to strengthen SDAPCD, Governor Newsom signed AB 423 into law. This bill - authored by then Assemblymember Todd Gloria and sponsored by EHC - sought to make the SDAPCD board more accountable, transparent and diverse.

 

San Diego Board of Port Commissioners Delays Consideration of Polluting Project, Responding to Community Demands for Electric Truck Requirements

 

San Diego/Tijuana’s leading EJ organization to step up the fight against environmental and systemic racism

 

Community-driven projects will support strengthening local economy, improving public health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Port urged to protect public health, improve air quality, and reject all new shipyard projects in disadvantaged portside communities

Joy Williams of Environmental Health Coalition has spent over 30 years improving health and air quality for most impacted communities in San Diego/Tijuana

District board will be first in California to include an environmental justice representative

Funding to develop community-defined health and climate priorities

Near Tragedy Highlights Barrio Logan Toxic Burden

Community Budget Alliance pushes for a People’s Budget

Press Release from American Planning Association

New Legislation Calls for Reform of San Diego Air Pollution Control District
Bill creates equitable representation and greater transparency to the public

  • Unanimous vote gives Mundo Gardens operation of first public garden in Old Town National City
  • Environmental Health Coalition facilitates community vision for healthy neighborhood

Advocates say San Diego’s transportation planning agency must reach 25 percent emission reduction goal by 2035

Chicano Park Steering Committee approves locally drafted design celebrating history and culture of neighborhood

Community applauds Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher for championing the bill to reform San Diego’s regional transportation agency

Community applauds City Council’s commitment to protect families

Paradise Creek apartments shaped by community, for community

Environmental Health Coalition announces Dolores Huerta as keynote speaker for April 20 celebration

Environmental Health Coalition applauds Toni Atkins and Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher

EHC says results from pollution-screening tool paint clear roadmap to environmental justice

EHC says expansion plan addresses concerns from most impacted communities

Governor Brown signs SB 1000 for Equitable Land Use

Port’s plan will add 800 diesel truck trips through Barrio Logan – per day

Environmental Health Coalition commends Air Resources Board for collaborative workshop in Barrio Logan

Environmental Health Coalition urges residents of impacted communities to attend unprecedented workshop 

Leaders of major community organizations in San Diego issued a joint statement today urging voters to approve Proposition I, which increases the minimum wage and provides five earned sick days for everyone working in the city.

Port of San Diego to expand Pepper Park by 2.5 acres

Environmental Health Coalition to celebrate cross-border communities at Awards Celebration

Dean Florez, Diane Takvorian appointed under AB 1288

Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins today announced the appointment of longtime environmental justice leader Diane Takvorian to the state Air Resources Board.

Group says it will partner with SANDAG only if expected ballot measure invests in clean air, better transit, good jobs

San Diego becomes first city in California to incorporate statewide tool identifying communities overburdened by multiple sources of pollution

This video commemorates Environmental Health Coalition's 40th anniversary. Founded in 1980, EHC builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change.

Learn about our 40th anniversary celebration on August 20, 2020, including a full recording of the live event in English and Spanish, 40 years of EJ in pictures, and much more!

#40yearsofEJ

For many years, residents in the community of Barrio Logan complained about the increasing heavy-duty diesel truck traffic on neighborhood streets. Diesel emissions from these trucks, as well as safety, noise and other impacts concern community members.

Based on the California environmental justice mapping tool CalEnviroScreen, we can see that Barrio Logan is in the highest vulnerability for particulate matter from Diesel pollution.

The American Planning Association (APA) selected EHC’s Policy Director, Carolina Martinez to receive their 2019 National Planning Excellence Award for Advancing Diversity & Social Change.

The award is a testament to Carolina’s commitment and the resolve of community members such as Lorena Chavez and Adriana Mecina to advance the Paradise Creek housing development project in National City.

Read more...

Creating Healthy Neighborhoods: Community Planning to Overcome Injustice (Spanish - Full Movie)

Creating Healthy Neighborhoods: Community Planning To Overcome Injustice (English - Full Movie)

Colectivo Chilpancingo's story of a decades-long struggle against toxic pollution in Tijuana.

Our community members are advocating for an ambitious scoping plan. Listen as they explain why.

Environmental Health Coalition’s Healthy Kids and Healthy Homes programs protect our region's most vulnerable children from toxics and lead poisoning in their homes and schools.

Our community leaders shed light on issues that warrant long-overdue environmental justice. There is a leader in every one of us. We are all environmental justice. 

 On April 14, 2016, we celebrated communities spearheading crossborder environmental justice and rebuilding the natural world we share. Communities on an international border have the great privilege and responsibility of transcending boundaries and merging two cultures into one unique way of life. One border, shared. One community, together. One people, unified.

Throughout EHC's 35 years of advocacy our focus has stayed the same - achieving environmental health and justice. Executive Director Diane Takvorian shares some of the biggest environmental impacts affecting children in our communities. 

This is a story about everyone's right to clean air and transportation. It's the story of the climate revolución.

As the irreversible effects of climate change hit our communities the hardest, we say, "Enough. Enough neglect, enough dirty air and enough wasting time. We won't stand for this anymore." A revolution is born.

On April 30, we celebrated progress as our communities lead the countywide charge to improve health, transit and energy. This video announces our 2015 Awardees, leaders of the Climate Revolución.

Join us at the California Environmental Justice Alliance Congreso in Sacramento on August 24.  Let's unite to tell our representatives that environmental justice in our communities needs to be a statewide priority. #PeoplePowerPolicy

Toni Atkins joins the Climate Revolución!

Sarah, one of our talented SALTA leadership training teachers, explains the value of SALTA for organizers of disadvantaged communities.

SALTA (Salud Ambiental Lideres Tomando Accion – Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action) is Environmental Health Coalition's web-based, interactive leadership development curriculum that provides community leaders with skill-building training in community organizing, policy advocacy, building power, community health, environmental justice and effective communication. Learn more about SALTA. 

Meet Tuan Luu, a recent SALTA graduate. Tuan feels SALTA has prepared him to succeed with in-depth community organizer training and has motivated him more than ever to make a lasting change in his community. He recommends the course to anyone interested in making a difference.

SALTA stands for Salud Ambiental Lideres Tomando Accion – Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action. Learn more about SALTA.

In 2014 we announced the winners for our 2014 Awards Celebration: Victory for Healthy Communities, including:

Lara Gates, plan update manager at the City of San Diego; For stewardship of the Barrio Logan community plan update, enabling all stakeholders to find a just outcome to neighborhood land-use issues.

Maria Martinez, EHC leader and promotora; For leading and inspiring community members in Barrio Logan to fight for a healthier neighborhood.

The Barrio Logan Community Action Team; For standing strong as community leaders in Barrio Logan and organizing and empowering other residents to have a voice in the issues effecting their neighborhood.

In 2014 we announced the winners for our 2014 Awards Celebration: Victory for Healthy Communities, including:

  • Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, City of National City councilwoman; For leadership on the Westside Specific Plan, the implementation of phasing out polluting businesses, adding 201 affordable housing units and more.
  • Adriana Alfaro, EHC leader; For years of dedication to improving Old Town National City and tireless work towards achieving environmental justice in the San Diego region.
  • The National City Community Action Team; For standing strong as community leaders in National City and organizing and empowering other residents to have a voice in the issues effecting their neighborhood.

Ruth Heifetz, EHC founding board member and senior lecturer at UCSD School of Medicine, took home our 2014 Spirit of Justice Award for a lifetime of dedication to raising awareness among students, professionals, workers and residents to the hazards of toxic pollution.

Learn more about Environmental Health Coalition's first free video-learning tool, Creating Healthy Neighborhoods!

Watch Alliance Healthcare Foundation's Nancy Sasaki and Sylvia Barron as they present a $50,000 Mission Support Grant to Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Coalition.

Learn more about EHC's partnership with the Alliance Healthcare Foundation.

En el siglo 20, la bahía de San Diego sostenía una gran biodiversidad. Después de años de abandono y mala planeación, las industrias contaminaron la bahía con más de 20 clases de contaminantes, pusieron en peligro a las comunidades de alrededor con 36 clases de contaminantes de aire y destruyeron 90 por ciento de las llanuras de marea y 78 por ciento de la marisma salina.

For more than 30 years, Environmental Health Coalition has confronted environmental injustices in the San Diego/Tijuana region.

Et quinta decima eodem modo typi qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari fiant sollemnes in. Amet consectetuer adipiscing elit sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna!

Litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta: decima et quinta decima eodem modo typi qui! Elit sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat ut wisi. Facilisi nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod. Mirum est notare quam littera gothica quam nunc. Eorum claritatem Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere, me lius quod ii legunt saepius!

Claritatem Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius claritas. Feugiat nulla facilisis, at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio. Lectorum mirum est notare quam littera gothica quam nunc putamus parum claram anteposuerit? Dolore eu dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit. Id quod mazim placerat, facer possim assum typi non habent claritatem! Dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat vel illum?

2010

EHC at the U.S. Social Forum

Save the Date: EHC's 30th Anniversary Celebration

Thanks for Making our 30th a Success

Empower San Diego honors Laura Hunter

Take action to protect kids in Tijuana from air toxics

Deny the Gregory Canyon Dump

Vote 'Climate First' on Election Day, Nov. 2

EHC Voter Guide November 2010

Watch: White House Environmental Justice Forum

Green Energy Victories Made Possible by YOU

Green Homes, Good Jobs for All

EHC wins Energy Strategies for Low-Income Communities

Deny the South Bay Power Plant permits

The END of the South Bay Power Plant

Port Approves Bayfront Settlement

EPA, HUD, DOT invest in West National City

EPA officials tour West National City

Community Calls for Adoption of Westside National City Plan

Old Town National City Plan Approved

'Are the Tides Turning on Equity and Environmental Justice in San Diego Planning?'

Join us for Prop 23 media training

Van Jones: No on Prop 23

Hit the streets and Stop Prop 23

We Stopped Prop 23!

2008

CV City Council sells out community on MMC Peaker Plant

Oppose MMC Peaker Plant

Walk for Environmental Justice and Voter Empowerment

May 1 Immigrant Rights March

Support the Children's Right to Lead-Safe Housing Ordinance

2007 and prior

Green Energy Options Report Released - 2007

Voter Empowerment 2006
List of Propositions Voter Volunteer Form Toxinformer Voter Guide

Vote NO on OFTA

Celebrate International Workers Day - click here for the EHC Statement in Solidarity (April 2006) [oprima aquí para español]

The South Bay Power Plant has been polluting Chula Vistans for over 40 years. You have the power to stop it NOW! Attend the Town Hall Meeting on May 3, 2006

Protect our families and children from toxic chemicals in our food supply! (Feb 2006)

JOIN EHC TO FIGHT FOR REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR BARRIO LOGAN Oppose approval of JMI's Ballpark Village (Oct 2005)

VICTORY! EHC's Bill To Protect Children From Lead in Candy is now Law! (Oct 2005)

Call Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and urge him to SIGN AB 121! (Sept 2005)

DEMAND FAIR RULES for COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION - Call or write to Commissioner Peevey and say you want fair rules for CCA! (August 2005)

One step for Chula Vista , one giant leap toward a secure energy future.
Community Choice Aggregation is the right Choice! (July 2005)

Tell Congresswoman Susan Davis: Vote NO on CAFTA! (July 2005)

SAY YES TO FAIR TRADE! Let's stop CAFTA for good!!! (June 2005)

Come Save the Bay!!! San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) Meeting and workshop (June 2005)

OPPOSE the Replacement of Steam Generators at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) (May 2005)

Join EHC's San Diego Fair Trade Coalition at a RALLY AGAINST CAFTA! (March 2005)

HEADS UP ! Call the Mayor and City Council to urge them to support The Children's Right to Lead-Safe Housing Ordinance (March 2005)

Final hearing - The SBPP Must Stop Devastating San Diego Bay! Attend RWQCB on November 10, 2004

STOP DEADLY POWER! EHC demands a permit for the South Bay Power Plant to protect San Diego Bay now, not later. Attend RWQCB hearing on September 8, 2004

Lead candy bill fails in Sacramento- EHC vows to continue fight with Prop. 65 law suit. Urge the State Attorney General to take swift action (July 2004)

May 2013

April 2013

March 2013

February 2013

Volume 28, Issue 4, Spring 2010

Volumen 28, Edición 4, Spring 2010

Volume 28, Issue 3, Winter 2010

Volumen 28, Edición 3 , Invierno 2010

Volume 28, Issue 2, Summer 2009

Volumen 28, Edición 2, Verano 2009

Volume 28, Issue 1, Spring 2009

Volumen 28, Edición 1, Primavera 2009

Volume 78, Issue 1, Spring 2008

Volumen 27, Edición 1, Primavera 2008

Volume 26, Issue 1, December 2007

Volumen 26, Edición 1, diciembre 2007

Volume 25, Issue 4, Spring 2007

Volumen 25, Edición 4, primavera 2007

Volume 25, Issue 3, Special Election Issue, October 2006.

Volumen 25, Edición 3, Numero Especial de Elecciones, octubre 2006.

Volume 25, Issue 2, Summer 2006

Volumen 25, Edición 1, verano 2006

Volume 25, Issue1, Spring 2006

Volumen 25, Edición 1, primavera 2006

Volume 24, Issue 4, Special Election Issue, October 2005.

Volumen 24, Edición Especial de 
Elecciones, octubre 2005.

Volume 24, Issue 3, Summer 2005

Volumen 24, Edición 3, verano 2005

Volume 24, Issue 2, May 2005

Volumen 24, Edición 2, mayo 2005

Volume 24, Issue 1, February 2005

Volumen 24, Edición 1, febrero 2005

Volume 23, Issue 4, November 2004

Volumen 23, Edición 4, noviembre 2004

Volume 23, Issue 3, August 2004

Volumen 23, Edición 3, agosto 2004

Volume 23, Issue 2, May 2004

Volumen 23, Edición 2, May 2004

Volume 23, Issue 1, February 2004

Volumen 23, Edición 1, febrero 2004

Volume 22, Issue 4, October 2003

Volumen 22, Edición 4, octubre 2003

Volume 22, Issue 3, July 2003

Volumen 22, Edición 3, julio 2003

Volume 22, Issue 2, April 2003

Volumen 22, Edición 2, abril 2003

Volume 22, Issue 1, January 2003

Volumen 22, Edición 1, enero 2003

Special Issue, Fall 2002

Edición Especial, Otoño de 2002

Volume 21, Issue 3, July 2002

Volumen 21, Edición 3, julio, 2002

Volume 21, Issue 2, April 2002

Volumen 21, Edición 2, abril, 2002

Volume 21, Issue 1, January, 2002

Volumen 21, Primer Edición, enero, 2002

Volume 20, Issue 4, November, 2001

Volumen 20, Cuarta Edición, noviembre, 2001

Volume 20, Issue 3, August, 2001

Volumen 20, Tercera Edición, agosto, 2001

Volume 20, Issue 2, April, 2001

Volumen 20, Segundo Edición, abril, 2001

Volume 19, Issue 4, January, 2001

Volumen 19, Cuarta Edición, enero, 2001

Thanksgiving

First Nations Day of Resilience 

As an organization rooted in the civil rights movement, we cannot support racist and oppressive traditions. Our staff, community members, and board of directors reflected deeply on the traditional “holiday” of Thanksgiving and found that it does  not fit with our values – equity, justice, and empowering communities. It marks just the opposite. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a violent history of oppression of the First Nations and countless acts of injustices against them by European colonizers.

Instead, this Thursday, November 25, 2021, EHC will observe First Nations Day of Resilience. Moving forward, on the fourth Thursday of every November, we will observe this day as a reminder of our commitment to environmental justice principles, decolonization, and recognition of the work and history of the Kumeyaay in the San Diego and Tijuana region. Our region is occupied and unceded Kumeyaay territory that spans across geographical borders of what is currently recognized as the United States and Mexico.

On this Thursday, November 25, 2021, we invite you to observe First Nations Day of Resilience with us to honor the Kumeyaay, reflect on our country’s long history of colonization and oppression, and consider how we can work towards decolonization and justice.

 

Learn about the Kumeyaay

 

First Nations Day of Resilience Instagram Post

 

Homepage banner MCAS Petition 3

Our communities have suffered for too long from the pollution generated by the Port of San Diego and its tenants. Communities neighboring the Port have some of the highest levels of diesel pollution in the San Diego region. Barrio Logan has 98% more diesel pollution than the rest of the state.

Port Pollution Is Hurting Our Health

  • Diesel pollution causes lung cancer, and chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, breathing problems, and more.
  • In 2018, chronic diseases like these caused 53% of all deaths in South San Diego.
  • The children in our neighborhoods have more than double the rate of asthma emergency rooms visit than the county average.

It’s Time for the Port to be a Good Neighbor

The Port is working on the Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS), a plan to clean up the damage it is doing to our air.

The MCAS is supposed to create clear goals, rules, and deadlines for the Port to reduce the air pollution it creates. However, the Port's current plan is business as usual and does NOT put our health first.

Our Health Can’t Wait! We Deserve Clean Air Now

The Port can put our health first by committing to these goals in the Maritime Clean Air Strategy:

  • Decrease the risk of cancer by reducing diesel and other toxic air pollutants
  • Require heavy-duty trucks to transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV)
  • Implement a plan to install ZEV charging stations
  • Develop revenue sources to implement the MCAS goals

Sign Our Petition: Tell the Port you deserve to breathe clean air

Click below to sign our petition and demand clean air.

Sign the Petition

More Information & Resources

Versión en español a continuación.

Honoring Black Environmental Justice Leaders

The Intersection of Race and Environmental Justice

February is Black History Month, a nationwide observance to honor and celebrate the many contributions Black people have made to our nation and the world. In honor of this month, Environmental Health Coalition is celebrating black leaders in the environmental justice movement and our communities. To truly understand and appreciate these leaders, we must first acknowledge the tragic history of slavery, repression, and racism black people have endured in our country and still live with today.

The fight for environmental justice is the fight against environmental racism. It was the landmark report Toxic Waste and Race in the United States, published by the United Church of Christ in 1987, that documented the injustices endured by people of color, and especially African Americans. The report found that race is the most significant factor, more important than income, when locating toxic waste sites.

To this day, black communities continue to bear a disproportionate amount of pollution and its devastating health impacts. According to the American Lung Association, “Recent studies have looked at the mortality in the Medicaid population and found that those who live in predominately Black or African American communities suffered greater risk of premature death from particle pollution than those who live in communities that are predominately white.” As these studies make very clear, environmental justice fights for racial justice and the fight is not over.

Black leaders birthed the environmental justice movement and continue to be at the frontlines. We are honored to shine a light on just a few of these passionate and effective leaders who inspire us all.

Vernice Miller-Travis

Headshot Vernice 500x500Environmental justice has been Vernice’s life work for more than thirty years. She is one of the nation’s most respected thought leaders on environmental justice and the interplay of civil rights and environmental policy.  She was a contributing author to the landmark report “Toxic Waste and Race in the United States.” In 1991, she was a delegate to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit. At the Summit, she served on the small drafting committee that wrote the Principles of Environmental Justice. She is currently the Executive Vice President of the Metropolitan Group, a full-service strategic and creative agency dedicated to advancing social justice.

EHC had the opportunity to ask Vernice about the nexus between environmental justice and racial justice. She was kind enough to provide us with the below thoughtful response:

We understood from the earliest days of organizing and advocacy in our local communities that the environmental and public health threats we faced were rooted in systemic racism. 

We started out fighting environmental racism. But, that framing made regulators at the local, county, state, and federal levels, as well as industry representatives very uncomfortable when we suggested that systemic racism was enmeshed in the land use, zoning, housing, and industrial agriculture and development patterns of decision-making. These decisions were grounded in historic practices of racial and ethnic segregation. 

Long before the publication of Toxic Waste and Race, Race and the Incidence of Environmental Hazards, or Dumping in Dixie, every person of color living in the United States knew unequivocally that wherever we lived was profoundly different from where Whites lived, even if we lived in the same city, county, or town. Our schools and hospitals were different, our supermarkets and pharmacies were different, the housing stock, and recreational spaces were different. Transportation systems were different. When I say different, I mean profoundly unequal. But more importantly, the quality of the air we breathed and the water we drank was more often than not full of contaminants. This made us sicker and have shorter life expectancies.

The fight for Environmental Justice is now and has always been a fight for racial justice and equal treatment before the law. 

 

Eric Wilson

Untitled designEric Wilson is Environmental Health Coalition’s Human Resources and Administration Director. Eric has more than 20 years of administrative and operational experience in for-profit and non-profit arenas. His heart is with social and environmental justice work. Through his leadership, Eric creates a collaborative and supportive working environment in which EHC staffers can develop into EJ champions and help residents realize their innate power to create healthy, pollution-free neighborhoods.

Eric shared with us, “I am passionate about environmental and social justice because of an incident that happened to me when I was about 14. My brother-in-law was wrongly arrested and beaten very badly for driving in the wrong neighborhood. He was hospitalized for weeks. At this time, I found out what it meant to be black in the United States as my father had to explain the double standard to me. It angered me so much that I never forgot the experience and have since had a desire to fight for what is right. I hold true to Dr. King's quote:

‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’”

 

Roberta Alexander, PhD

Untitled design 1A former black panther, Roberta has dedicated her life to social justice, education, and cultural enrichment. As a member of the Board of Directors since 2012, Roberta has helped guide Environmental Health Coalition through more than a decade of environmental justice challenges and success. She served as a faculty member in the San Diego Community College District for over 35 years. During her tenure, she was the Department Chair for English as a Second Language in Continuing Education at Centre City Adult School and the Department Chair of English at San Diego City College.

Roberta shared with us, “In the 1960s, I lived in the flatlands of North Richmond next to the toxics-spewing Chevron refinery where it is no accident that Black and Brown folks are still the overwhelming majority of residents. Every single day, our children continue to struggle to breathe through the toxic fumes of neighborhoods like that one. Indeed, here in San Diego, nationally and internationally, air pollution, hazardous waste sites, lead poisoning, climate change, and water contamination disproportionately affect poor people of color.

George Floyd, when he was murdered by a knee on his neck, cried out, ‘I can't breathe.’ Our children use the same three words when they're struggling through an asthma attack.”

 

Mustafa Santiago Ali

Untitled design 2Mustafa is a thought-leader and activist committed to fighting for environmental justice and economic equity. He worked at the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for 24 years. At the EPA, he served as the Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice and Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization. During his tenure, he worked across federal agencies to strengthen environmental justice policies, programs, and initiatives. He also led the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJIWG), which was comprised of 17 federal agencies and White House offices focused on implementing holistic strategies to address the issues facing vulnerable communities.In 2017, he resigned from the EPA to join the Hip Hop Caucus and lead their Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization portfolio.

For his lifetime of environmental justice work, EHC honored Mustafa with the Environmental Justice Champion Award in 2018. At the award ceremony, he gave a moving acceptance speech that is featured below: 

 

 

Cecil Corbin-Mark

Cecil Corbin MarkThe environmental justice community endured a great loss when Harlem activist Cecil Corbin-Mark passed away on October 15, 2020. He was only 51 years old. Cecil was the Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives at WE ACT, a West Harlem non-profit whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that low-income communities of color participate meaningfully in the creation of environmental health and protection policies. Over his 26-year career at WE ACT, he helped develop and pass numerous bills in New York City and New York State, and managed WE ACT’s Washington, DC federal policy office.

West Harlem, New York, and the nation are so much better because of his selfless contributions of love, wisdom, and struggle. Rest in power Cecil.

To learn more about Cecil and his impact on the EJ community, click here.


 

Homenaje a Líderes Negros(as) en Justicia Ambiental:

La Encrucijada entre Raza y Justicia Ambiental

Febrero es Mes de la Historia Negra, una conmemoración nacional para celebrar y rendir homenaje a las innumerables aportaciones de las personas negras a nuestro país y al mundo. En honor a dicho mes, Environmental Health Coalition celebra a líderes negros(as) en el movimiento por la justicia ambiental y en nuestras comunidades. Para verdaderamente entender y apreciar a dichos(as) líderes, debemos primero reconocer la trágica historia de esclavitud, represión y racismo que ha sufrido – y con el que sigue lidiando a la fecha – el pueblo negro en nuestro país.

La lucha por la justicia ambiental es la lucha contra el racismo ambiental. Las injusticias que ha sufrido la gente de color, y en particular el pueblo Afroamericano, se documentaron en el emblemático informe Toxic Waste and Race in the United States (Residuos Tóxicos y Raza en los Estados Unidos), publicado por la Iglesia Unida de Cristo en 1987. El informe arroja que la raza es el factor más importante, por encima del nivel de ingresos de una comunidad, para decidir la ubicación de instalaciones de residuos tóxicos.

A la fecha, las comunidades negras continúan cargando con volúmenes desproporcionados de la contaminación y sus devastadores impactos en la salud. Según la American Lung Association (Asociación Pulmonar de EE.UU.) “Estudios recientes han analizado la mortalidad entre la población derechohabiente de Medicaid e identificado que quienes viven en comunidades predominantemente negras o afroamericanas sufren un mayor riesgo de muerte prematura a causa de contaminación por partículas que quienes viven en comunidades predominantemente blancas”. Tal y como dejan muy en claro estos estudios, la justicia ambiental lucha por la justicia racial, y la lucha aún no termina.

Líderes negros(as) dieron vida al movimiento por la justicia ambiental y continúan al frente de la lucha. Es un honor destacar a tan solo unos(as) cuantos(as) de estos(as) apasionados(as) y eficaces líderes quienes nos inspiran a todos(as).

Vernice Miller-Travis

Headshot Vernice 500x500Vernice ha dedicado a su vida a la justicia ambiental durante más de treinta años. Es una de las más respetadas líderes del país en el tema de justicia ambiental y la interrelación entre derechos civiles y políticas ambientales. Fue coautora del emblemático informe “Residuos Tóxicos y Raza en los Estados Unidos”. En 1991, fue una de las delegadas invitadas a la Primera Cumbre Nacional de Liderazgo Ambiental del Pueblo de Color. Durante la Cumbre, fue parte de un pequeño comité de redacción que produjo los Principios de la Justicia Ambiental. Actualmente funge como Vicepresidenta Ejecutiva de Metropolitan Group, un despacho de servicios integrales creativos y estratégicos dedicado a avanzar la justicia social.

EHC tuvo la oportunidad de preguntarle a Vernice acerca del nexo entre la justicia ambiental y la justicia racial, y ella tuvo la amabilidad de proporcionarnos la siguiente sensata respuesta:

Desde los primeros momentos de organización y abogacía en nuestras comunidades locales, entendimos que las amenazas al medioambiente y la salud pública que enfrentábamos tenían sus raíces en el racismo sistémico. 

Iniciamos luchando contra el racismo ambiental. Pero este abordaje incomodó enormemente a las personas a cargo de normas a nivel local, estatal federal y del condado, así a como representantes de la industria, cuando sugerimos que el racismo sistémico estaba inmerso en uso de suelo, zonificación, vivienda y agricultura industrial, y en los patrones de desarrollo de toma de decisiones. Estas decisiones se basaban en prácticas históricas de segregación racial y étnica.  

Mucho antes de que se publicara Residuos Tóxicos y Raza en los Estados Unido, Raza y la Incidencia de Amenazas Ambientales o Dumping in Dixie (Descargando en Dixie), toda persona de color en los Estados Unidos sabía sin lugar a duda que donde vivíamos nosotros era profundamente distinto a donde vivía la gente blanca, incluso si vivíamos en la misma ciudad, poblado o condado. Nuestras escuelas y hospitales eran distintos, nuestros supermercados y farmacias eran distintas. Los sistemas de transporte eran distintos. Cuando digo distintos, me refiero a que eran profundamente desiguales. Pero, de manera más importante, el aire que respirábamos y el agua que tomábamos en la mayoría de los casos estaban llenos de contaminantes. Esto ocasionaba que nos enfermáramos más y que nuestra expectativa de vida fuera más corta.

La lucha por la Justicia Ambiental es hoy y siempre ha sido una lucha por justicia racial e igualdad de trato ante la ley. 

 

Eric Wilson

Untitled designEric Wilson es Director de Recursos Humanos y Administración en Environmental Health Coalition. Eric cuenta con más de 20 años de experiencia administrativa y operativa en empresas con y sin fines de lucro. Su corazón late por la labor de justicia ambiental y social. A través de su liderazgo, Eric crea un entorno laboral de colaboración y apoyo en el que el personal de EHC puede desarrollarse para convertirse en paladines de la justicia ambiental y ayudar a residentes a materializar su poder innato en aras de crear barrios saludables y libres de contaminación.

Eric nos comparte, “Soy apasionado por la justicia ambiental y social por un incidente que me ocurrió cuando tenía como 14 [años]. Arrestaron a mi cuñado sin causa y lo golpearon muy fuerte porque conducía por una colonia donde no pertenecía. Estuvo hospitalizado varias semanas. Fue entonces que descubrí lo que significa ser negro en Estados Unidos, ya que mi padre me tuvo que explicar esta doble moral. Me enojó tanto que nunca he olvidado la experiencia, y desde entonces he tenido el deseo de luchar por lo correcto. Me apego fielmente a la cita del Dr. King:

‘Nuestras vidas empiezan a terminar el día que guardamos silencio ante las cosas que importan”. “La verdadera medida de un hombre no es su postura en circunstancias convenientes y cómodas, sino su postura en tiempos de retos y controversias”.

 

Dra. Roberta Alexander

Untitled design 1Al haber sido Pantera Negra, Roberta ha dedicado su vida a justicia social, educación y enriquecimiento cultural. En su función como integrante de la Junta Directiva de 2012 a la fecha, Roberta ha ayudado a guiar a Environmental Health Coalition a través de más de una década de retos y triunfos en justicia ambiental. Fue docente en el Distrito Escolar de Universidades Técnicas de San Diego (San Diego Community College District) durante más de 35 años y, durante su cargo, fungió como Jefa del Departamento de Inglés Como Lengua Extranjera en Educación Continua dentro de la escuela para adultos Centre City, así como Jefa del Departamento de Inglés en San Diego City College.

Roberta nos comparte, “En los sesenta, viví en las llanuras de North Richmond junto a la refinería tóxica de Chevron, lugar en el que no por accidente gente de tez negra y café sigue constituyendo la gran mayoría de la población. Todos los días sin excepción, nuestros(as) hijos(as) siguen batallando por respirar entre vapores tóxicos en barrios como este. De hecho, aquí mismo en San Diego, en el resto del país y en otros en el extranjero contaminación atmosférica, plantas de residuos peligrosos, intoxicación por plomo, cambio climático y contaminación del agua afectan desproporcionadamente a gente pobre y de color.

George Floyd, en los momentos de su asesinato por una rodilla sobre su cuello lamentó, ‘no puedo respirar’. Nuestros(as) niños(as) usan las mismas tres palabras cuando sufren de un ataque de asma”.

 

Mustafa Santiago Ali

Untitled design 2Mustafa es un líder de opinión y activista comprometido a luchar por la justicia ambiental y la equidad económica. Trabajó en la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE.UU. (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) durante 24 años. En EPA, fungió como Subadministrador Asistente de Justicia Ambiental y como Asesor en Jefe en Materia de Justicia Ambiental y Revitalización de Comunidades. Durante su periodo con dicha dependencia, trabajó de manera transversal con otras dependencias federales para fortalecer políticas, programas e iniciativas de justicia ambiental. Además, dirigió el Grupo de Trabajo Interdependencia de Justicia Ambiental (Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice, o EJIWG), integrado por 17 dependencias federales y oficinas de la Casa Blanca enfocadas a implementar estrategias integrales para abordar las problemáticas que enfrentan comunidades vulnerables. En 2017, renunció a su puesto en EPA para sumarse a la bancada Hip Hop y dirigir su cartera de trabajo en Justicia Ambiental y Revitalización de Comunidades.  

Por su labor vitalicia en pro de la justicia ambiental, EHC galardonó a Mustafa con el Premio Paladín de Justicia Ambiental en 2018. Durante la ceremonia de reconocimiento, dio un conmovedor discurso de aceptación que podrá encontrar en el siguiente enlace: 

 

Cecil Corbin-Mark

Cecil Corbin MarkLa comunidad de justicia ambiental sufrió una gran pérdida al fallecer el activista de Harlem Corbin-Mark el 15 de octubre de 2020. Cecil fue Subdirector y Director de Iniciativas Políticas en WE ACT, una organización sin fines de lucro en West Harlem cuya misión es crear comunidades saludables mediante vigilar que comunidades de escasos recursos y de color tengan oportunidad de participar plenamente en la creación de políticas de salud y protección ambiental. Durante sus 26 años de trayectoria en WE ACT, colaboró en el desarrollo y la aprobación de un sinnúmero de proyectos de ley en la Ciudad de Nueva York y el Estado de Nueva York, y administró la oficina de políticas federales de WE ACT en Washington, D.C.

West Harlem, Nueva York y el país están en mucho mejor situación gracias a sus generosas aportaciones de amor, sabiduría y lucha. Descansa en poder, Cecil.

Para conocer mayores detalles acerca de Cecil y su impacto en la comunidad de Justicia Ambiental, haga clic aquí..

A New Day Democracy Prevailed 1 

versión en español a continuación

A new day! Yesterday was probably the most monumental Presidential Inauguration in our lifetimes and perhaps ever. With the new leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we can look forward to bold action on the pandemic, climate change, environmental justice, economic recovery, and racial justice. The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed an ambitious agenda that inspires hope for the entire country but speaks especially loudly to communities of color that have been hardest hit by COVID-19 illnesses, death, and its economic impacts, as well as climate pollution and racist actions in policing and immigration. 

While the last four years have been extremely difficult for the country and especially for our environmental justice communities, we know that the discriminatory policies that allowed exposure to toxins and subsequently higher disease rates did not start in the last four years. The assaults on our lives, our families, and human rights started long ago and have been upheld by local, state, and federal governments.

534x200 Across the country and right here in San Diego we mobilized voters and their voices for democracy and social justice were triumphant. As President Biden saidDemocracy has prevailed. 2

Amplifying the hopeful federal agenda, the slate of newly elected and appointed local officials at the County Board of Supervisors, San Diego and National City Councils, Port Commission and the reformed San Diego Air Pollution Control District Board are all positioned to take action to make real and lasting change. Now, at every level, officials have pledged to make substantial, significant and meaningful change to improve the lives of our communities.

Environmental Health Coalition is ready for this auspicious moment, but it will be a challenge.  The neglect and mistreatment have left scars and the division in our country is wide.  As President Biden also said, “The divisions in our country, while deep, are not new.  The battle is perennial.”  We must stand with our communities to demand justice as we have clear evidence, from the insurrection at the Capitol to the razor-thin election results, that the calls for continued discrimination are loud.

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Versión en Español

Spanish A New Day Democracy Prevailed

¡Un nuevo día! Ayer vivimos la Inauguración Presidencial posiblemente más monumental en nuestras vidas y tal vez en la historia. Bajo el nuevo liderazgo del Presidente Biden y la Vicepresidenta Harris, anticipamos acciones audaces ante la pandemia, el cambio climático, la justicia ambiental, la recuperación económica y la justicia social. La Administración Biden-Harris propone una ambiciosa agenda de trabajo que inspira esperanza para el país entero, pero que se dirige en una voz particularmente alta a las comunidades de color que han sido las más afectadas por enfermedad, muertes y afectaciones económicas relacionadas con COVID-19, así como con la contaminación ambiental y acciones racistas en la actuación policial y en migración. 

A pesar de que los últimos cuatro años han sido extremadamente difíciles para el país y especialmente para nuestras comunidades de justicia ambiental, estamos conscientes de que las políticas discriminatorias que permitieron exposiciones a toxinas y por ende mayores tasas de enfermedades no iniciaron en estos últimos cuatro años. Los atentados contra nuestras vidas, nuestras familias y nuestros derechos humanos comenzaron hace tiempo y los han sostenido gobiernos locales, estatales y federales.

Spanish 534x200 Across the country and right here in San Diego we mobilized voters and their voices for democracy and social justice were triumphant. As President Biden saidDemocracy has prevailed

En amplificación de la esperanzadora agenda de trabajo federal, tenemos a toda una serie de funcionarios(as) públicos(as) recientemente electos(as) o designados(as) a la Junta de Supervisores del Condado, los Cabildos de San Diego y National City, la Comisión Portuaria y la reformada Mesa Directiva del Distrito de Control de la Contaminación Atmosférica de San Diego, posicionados(as) para actuar en aras de lograr cambios verdaderos y perdurables. Hoy, en todos los niveles, contamos con funcionarios(as) públicos(as) que se han comprometido a lograr cambios sustantivos, sustanciales y trascendentes que mejoren las vidas de nuestras comunidades.

Environmental Health Coalition está preparada para este auspicioso momento, aunque sabemos que será un reto. El descuido y el maltrato han dejado cicatrices y la división en nuestro país es extensa. Como también indicó el Presidente Biden, “las divisiones en nuestro país, aunque profundas, no son nuevas. La lucha es eterna”. Debemos elevarnos junto con nuestras comunidades para exigir justicia, ya que tenemos clara evidencia – desde la insurrección en el Capitolio hasta los estrechos márgenes de las elecciones – de que el llamado por una continua discriminación sigue fuerte.

Spanish 534 x 200 We can do it

 SOMAH website photo

In 2020, Californians dealt with historic wildfires, extreme heat, and power blackouts, all in the midst of a pandemic. California’s most vulnerable communities have endured the greatest harm from the widening racial, socioeconomic, and health inequities of COVID-19 and lack of resilient energy infrastructure.

Ten months into the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that our collective health and safety depends on both in-home resilience and economic support. In-home resilience means, first, that people have access to shelter, and second, that they have access to resources to meet their needs while sheltering in place.

The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program is an unprecedented investment in clean energy serving low-income and disadvantaged communities, and a key strategy to building in-home resilience for California’s renters. In the absence of statewide rent forgiveness or sustained basic income, solar energy can provide critical financial relief. Additionally, the SOMAH program creates pathways to well-paying, essential jobs in the solar industry by building paid training opportunities into every project.

In its first year, SOMAH has received 158 applications; 29% of these applications are located in disadvantaged communities (or DACs), benefiting those who are most impacted by institutionalized racism and environmental pollution. Once constructed, these SOMAH projects will benefit Californians by:

  • Providing savings for nearly 32,000 tenant units
  • Sending 90% of the savings directly to renters
  • Creating over 700 job training opportunities

Building resilience requires deep collaboration and a community-based approach. EHC advocated for the legislation that created the SOMAH program and has worked to ensure the program provides maximum community benefit since its launch in July 2019. EHC is one of five community-based organizations (CBOs) that work directly with the program administrator to help communicate program benefits to tenants, job seekers and the community we live in.

Our work with the SOMAH program builds off of the deep roots we have in San Diego, National City and the border region’s environmental justice (EJ) communities since 1980. In 2020, we helped build community resilience while overcoming the barriers of the digital divide. We’ve organized and advocated from our homes to help elect bold new leadership, ensure our community members were counted in the census, and continue fighting for the right to live, work, and play free from pollution.

If you rent an apartment, you could save on your electric bills through the SOMAH program. To learn more about how SOMAH can help your landlord convert your building to low-cost solar energy, visit: https://calsomah.org/tenants

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

EHC is celebrating the passage of AB 2276 (Reyes, Salas, C. Garcia) a law that will address California’s poor track record of ensuring that our children most at risk of lead poisoning are screened and tested for lead.

About AB 2276

  • AB 2276 requires Medi-Cal managed care plans to identify enrolled children who have not received the required lead tests and remind the child’s healthcare provider and parents about the missed tests.
  • AB 2276 also codifies additional risk factors that the Department of Public Health must consider when developing screening requirements doctors use to determine if a child not enrolled in Medi-Cal should be tested for lead.

Low-income, people of color communities are at higher risk due to the older housing stock, substandard housing conditions, and malnourished children. Lack of nourishment makes it easier for children to absorb lead faster. With stay-at-home orders, most of our children are at home 24/7, making it even more urgent to ensure that homes are lead-safe. Most children do not show any symptoms. Unfortunately, lead can silently poison your child.

Childhood lead poisoning is the #1 environmental health threat impacting children under the age of six by causing brain damage, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and aggressive behavior. Lead also damages the immune system – a health impact that is of huge concern during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The good news is that childhood lead poisoning is completely preventable! Parents, please be vigilant. Take steps to make your home lead safe and be sure to schedule a blood lead test for your children and grandkids this week.

More Information:

Solar for Affordable Housing

Since its launch in July 2019, the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program has become the nation’s largest investment in clean energy serving low-income and disadvantaged communities. Some 380 projects have applied for funding and are moving through the pipeline to construction.

EHC was a co-sponsor and leading advocate for the legislation that created California’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program and is now deeply engaged in ensuring the program provides maximum community benefit.

We celebrate the completion of a successful first year and look back at the accomplishments of SOMAH and EHC. Once constructed, these 380 active applications equate to 82 megawatts of new solar energy on affordable housing properties in California, representing 27% of the program’s total goal to install 300 MW of solar by 2030.

26% of the applications are located in disadvantaged communities defined by CalEnviroScreen scores (or DACs), benefiting those who are most impacted by toxic pollution and a lack of economic opportunity. Once constructed, the SOMAH projects will benefit Californians for decades by:

  • Providing savings for nearly 32,000 tenant units
  • Directing 90% of the savings to tenants
  • Creating over 700 job training opportunities

The SOMAH program is about partnerships and a community-based approach. EHC is one of five community-based organizations (CBOs) in California that works directly with the program administrator to help communicate benefits to tenants, job seekers and the community we live in.

This year, EHC conducted a series of six virtual mini-workshops with Community Action Teams in National City, Barrio Logan and City Heights, which introduced the SOMAH program, how solar energy works, clean energy jobs, and how to reduce energy use at home. We also conducted direct outreach to developers and owners of affordable housing in environmental justice (EJ) communities to ensure our communities are informed about the program and retain its benefits.

None of this is happening in a vacuum. EHC’s work with SOMAH continued as the world around us changed. Our communities saw the highest rates of coronavirus cases and a devastating spike in unemployment. Residents have experienced housing and power insecurity made worse by planned power outages, heatwaves, and fires. The benefits of clean power are needed NOW.

As frontline communities face a greater burden of energy cost and are disproportionately impacted by economic, environmental and racial injustice, expanding access to renewable energy technology and job training will tackle multiple issues at once. Investing in solar for affordable housing through programs like SOMAH will help Californians generate local, clean power while providing much-needed savings to families and creating economic opportunities for individuals.

If you rent an apartment, you could save on your electric bills if your landlord participates in the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program. Learn more about how SOMAH can help your landlord convert your building to low-cost solar energy: calsomah.org/tenants

EHC has created this page to share community information and resources about the unfolding COVID-19 crisis. The situation is changing  every day, and we will continue to add new information and resources as they become available. Please be safe and check back regularly for updates.

Read more

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Black Lives Matter.

Environmental Health Coalition stands in solidarity with the righteous protests against the killing of Black Americans by law enforcement. We are deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd and outraged that yet another person has lost their life because of the color of their skin.

The death of George Floyd is being mourned and protested this week while we also remember Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many more whose names we will never know.

Black men and boys in America are 2.5 times more likely than white men and boys to die at the hands of police. Latinos, Native Americans, and Black women and girls are also at higher risk.

People of color have been patient – awaiting action from our leaders. Enough! It is time for action. EHC endorses this proposal by San Diegans for Justice to establish an independent, community-led Commission on Police Practices to investigate cases of police misconduct and bring much-needed accountability to SDPD.

These overt acts of racism – the killing of unarmed black men by police must be met with swift action. Prosecution and punishment will send a strong message that police brutality will not be tolerated.

Covert acts of racism must stopped as well.

#ICantBreathe is a particularly poignant plea that was ignored as George Floyd begged for his life and continues to be ignored for communities of color across the country where air pollution is unacceptably high. Racial segregation and environmental racism result in shorter life expectancies in communities of color than in white communities. Exposure to toxic pollution is a form of slow violence and slow death.

Amid the current pandemic, we are painfully aware that people of color bear a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 deaths. A recent Harvard study shows that a community with a very small increase of particulate pollution has an 8% increase in their COVID death rate. The percentage of black children suffering from asthma is nearly double that of whites and the death rate is 10 times higher.

Environmental racism and police brutality are a dangerous combination. If police don’t end Black lives, the pollution in their environment and communities will. Both are completely preventable.

EHC stands with all communities and in support of the Week of Action in Defense of Black Lives.

Image credit: Beverly Yuen Thompson via Flickr.

Posters on Gentrification and Resistance

On April 26, EHC and City Heights CDC co-hosted an exhibition of posters on gentrification and resistance. Produced across the world over the last 60 years, the posters are powerful visual testaments to the ongoing resistance against gentrification, displacement, and homelessness. The Spanish caption on one poster translates, “Every human being deserves a decent home.” The right to live, work, and play in a safe, healthy and equitable community is a central tenet of EHC’s work in City Heights and across the region, #HealthyHoods #HereToStay

Check out the posters!

Reclaim Book

 

Select pictures from the April 26 event:

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Reclaim! Remain! Rebuild! was funded by The California Endowment, California Arts Council, City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, with additional support from the Getty Grant Program, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commissio

The American Planning Association (APA) selected EHC’s Policy Director, Carolina Martinez to receive their 2019 National Planning Excellence Award for Advancing Diversity & Social Change. The award is a testament to Carolina’s commitment and the resolve of community members such as Lorena Chavez and Adriana Mecina to advance the Paradise Creek housing development project in National City.

From educating community members to identifying funding and partnership opportunities, Carolina worked alongside of the resi-dents to ensure a community-driven process that resulted in Paradise Creek, a 201-unit, affordable housing complex on a remediated brownfield site. #healthyhoods

Environmental Health Coalition worked closely with the non-profit affordable housing organization, Community Housing Works, to bring fiscal resources, housing expertise and community priorities together to make the project possible.

Read the full press release

 

Carolina received the award at the annual APA conference on April 15, 2019 in San Francisco:

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Wendy Shabay, AICP, 2019 Awards Jury Chair is in the photo together with Carlton Eley.

Photos courtesy of APA, photo by The Photo Group.

 

AB 423 Approved by Assembly Committee.

It is unacceptable that some San Diego communities face a human cancer risk of 300 per million because of air pollution. Last week we asked you to demand clean air for all San Diegans by reforming the governing board of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (APCD).

Thank you for taking action, your voices were heard in Sacramento.

Todd AB 423

AB 423, an EHC sponsored bill by Assemblymember Todd Gloria, has passed the first step of the legislative process in the California State Assembly. If passed into law, the legislation ensures that San Diego will have an APCD board with diverse representation from every city to address the most urgent air pollution needs.

Elected officials across San Diego County are stepping up to support AB 423. Read letters of support from:

Georgette Gomez – President, San Diego City Council
Olga Diaz – Councilmember, Escondido City

Testifying in support of the bill in Sacramento yesterday, National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis said:

“We need your help to enable National City and all of the 18 cities in San Diego County to participate in improving air quality. We want a seat at the table. Our perspectives and insights into local air pollution sources are unique and valuable.”

We need a massive shift in the way we fight air pollution in San Diego and it is critical that legislators continue to hear your voices as we urge them to pass AB 423 into law. If you have not signed our petition yet, please take action now and Demand Clean Air For All San Diegans.

Take Action

HELP SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Share on Twitter

Post on Facebook

More AB 423 Resources

EHC Letter of Support
AB 423 Official Fact Sheet

At Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), we fight for environmental and social justice with the help of our community volunteers. One of the many ways you can get involved in our work is through our internship program, which introduces students to the inner workings of our environmental justice nonprofit.

Similar to other small nonprofit organizations, our departments have one staff member in charge of juggling many moving parts at once. For example, in Fund Development, Individual Giving is responsible for donor relations and events, and it is very important to have an updated database, an eye for detail, and timely responses to manage and maintain donor relations. That’s where our fund development interns come in – helping EHC to better meet our fundraising goals by splitting up tasks in a more efficient manner.

In 2018, Hannah MacDougall helped manage our summer fundraising efforts, encouraging people to commit to monthly donations to EHC, which took organizational skills and constant communication. Thanks to her positive attitude, persistence and dedication, EHC has secured an additional $6,800 in pledges for the fiscal year in monthly gifts – providing our grassroots teams with the time, funds and dependability to bring justice to the lives of hundreds of families in our region. Thank you, Hannah!

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(EHC team and Fund Development Intern Hannah MacDougall, pictured front right.)


We caught up with Fund Development Intern Hannah to learn more about her experiences as an intern at EHC.

How did you get involved at EHC?

In college, I took an environmental justice (EJ) class; before then, I had never heard of this concept. I was double majoring in environmental studies and political science. I had chosen those two majors so I could hopefully work where the two subjects intersect. EJ was the perfect fit! After I realized that EJ may have been the path I was searching for, I began to do more research in San Diego and EHC stood out.

What have you learned from this internship?

I have learned so much about data management and databases, as well as City Heights, Barrio Logan, and National City as EJ communities. Some of the biggest insights I learned during my internship were by listening to others talk about EJ events or issues in the community that I was not aware of – and probably wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for EHC.

What would you advise others looking to get involved in EJ?

Get involved at EHC. It is a great place for an internship. Everyone here is welcoming, and it is the best place to get your foot in the door and explore what the fight for EJ looks like in San Diego’s communities.

If you or someone you know is looking for similar internship opportunities, contact Individual Giving Director Giuliana Schroeder at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

 

We are pleased to welcome Bari Samad and Laura Benavidez to the EHC team.

 

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Bari joins EHC with more than 15 years of communications experience in the nonprofit sector. As our communications director, he will leverage digital tools for impactful storytelling, advocacy, and community organizing. In the past, he has collaborated with former Vice President Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection campaign to organize Green Jobs Now, an online-to-offline national day of action that resulted in more than 600 community events in more than 40 states. 

 

 

 

 

Laura Benavidez Headshot

Laura joins EHC as the organization’s first City Heights organizer, bringing nearly two decades of community organizing experience to the team. In her new role, Laura will empower environmental justice community members to find their voice and advocate for clean air, transportation justice and more. In 2016, Assembly Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins recognize Laura as an "Emerging Female Leader." She hopes to assist the communities EHC serves through resource sharing, leadership development and mentorship. 

 

Learn more about our team members here

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As we reflect back on 2018 and Environmental Health Coalition’s (EHC) accomplishments, we are reminded of your generosity. With your continued support, we promoted public health and fostered environmental justice in the communities that need it most.

As a result of your support, we achieved the following wins in 2018:

  • Affordable Housing for National City Residents - EHC led efforts to add 92 additional apartment units to the Paradise Creek complex along with remediation of contamination.

  • Civic Engagement Impact - EHC leaders educated more than 20,000 residents on the importance of voting to build the community’s voice. Together with our state and local allies, we protected funds for education and maintained revenue for transit and road repairs. In San Diego, we expanded democracy and protected our kids from lead in drinking water.

  • Climate Action Plan Assessment – EHC released an in-depth environmental justice assessment of the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan implementation since 2015. Our report highlights the need for more efficient and affordable mass transit options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and demands the City to increase direct investment in environmental justice communities. View our report coverage: San Diego Union-Tribune and KPBS.

  • Children’s Comic Book – EHC launched the “Comic Alamar,” a digital and print booklet that tells the story of Tijuana’s Alamar River and its importance for regional sustainability.

  • Local Truck Ordinance – EHC successfully advocated for a resolution to redirect heavy-duty truck traffic away from homes, schools, and senior centers in Barrio Logan.

  • Community Hero - I was honored to be recognized by KPBS and the National Conflict Resolution Center as a Community Hero for environmental justice and sustainability.

EHC’s success and recognition would not be possible without our Board of Directors, staff, community leaders and generous donors. Thank you for believing that we are the right organization to make a difference in our community.

The Environmental Health Coalition collaborated with the Tijuana Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental Youth Group, to launch a comic book that tells the story of Tijuana’s Alamar River and its importance for regional sustainability.

Check out the digital version of the comic book "Mi Comunidad y el Alamar, un rio binacional y una comunidad fronteriza,” or “My Community and the Alamar, a Binational River and a Border Community":

 

The Alamar’s riverbank forest is a very important opportunity to mitigate the air pollution emitted by the Mesa de Otay maquiladora industry in Tijuana and by the heavy-duty diesel cargo trucks passing through nearby communities.

Learn more about EHC's Border Environmental Justice work in Arroyo Alamar.

Read the full press release on the comic book launch.

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Mayra Velazquez de Leon is the President and CEO of Organics Unlimited, a family-run organic banana business. Banana cultivation is a family tradition, with an emphasis on natural, organic methods that protect our environment. Mayra remembers fondly that her grandfather would water their crops using water from the river that flowed through their farm. Her father carried on that tradition of respect for natural resources, and in 1972 initiated a partnership to import the first commercially grown organic bananas into the US.

Growing customers and community

Organics UnlimitedMayra explains, “Our mission is to provide the best quality organic bananas and tropical fruits in a socially responsible way. Alongside quality stands our commitment to serving customers and the community.” Organics Unlimited is dedicated to organic farming using sustainable methods not only for the health of the workers and the consumers, but also for the health of the environment. Mayra continues, “Growing organic gives us the ability to sustain the land on which we grow our produce. Without the addition of chemicals, the land can continue to raise wholesome, delicious produce year after year, without the threat of destroying nature’s balance.”
 

In 2005, Mayra created the Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers Fund (GROW), a Donor Advised Fund managed by the International Community Foundation, to provide funding for various social responsibility programs. This includes programs that help improve the quality of life of farmers and communities where Organics Unlimited is located. GROW also provides funding for organizations that share the objective of preserving natural resources and creating healthy environments for our future generations.

Sustainability on both sides of the border

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In 2016, Mayra attended Environmental Health Coalition’s Awards Celebration One People, Una Frontera, and discovered our shared values for sustainability. EHC is the only binational organization fighting for clean air and a healthy environment in the region, thus our mission and values naturally aligned with those of GROW. Since then, GROW has supported EHC on sustainability projects on both sides of the border, such as advocating for renewable energy and mass transit in San Diego and protecting the Alamar River region in Tijuana.

Your donation makes twice the impact with GROW

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This year, we are happy to announce that in addition to our sustainability partnership, GROW is offering match challenge throughout December. “EHC works relentlessly to protect our communities and fight for clean air, so I hope this match will inspire new supporters to join their efforts or give more to EHC,” anticipates Mayra. GROW and an anonymous donor have set a challenge to match $25,000 in donations.
 

For the month of December, know that your donation will make twice the impact. Together, we can raise up to $50,000 for environmental justice in our communities.
 

To learn more about GROW and their social responsibility program, visit Organics Unlimited’s website.

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Both starting and ending in the United States, the Arroyo Alamar (Alamar River) is an example of a U.S-Mexico shared ecosystem. The river is born east of San Diego in Campo, as a network of creeks and springs that join the Tecate Creek south of the border, and travels west through Tijuana and the community of Chilpancingo, it crosses back north and makes its way to the Tijuana River Estuary in Imperial Beach, and into the ocean.

Most of the river in Tijuana has been destroyed and covered by concrete. The Arroyo Alamar is the only stretch of the river where the natural habitat remains and where ducks, owls, raccoons, cranes, woodpeckers and crawfish can be found. The Arroyo Alamar helps clean the air and is one of the few open green spaces left in Tijuana where residents can enjoy nature and wildlife.

EHC is working to preserve this threatened pocket of natural habitat by hosting tours into the river to educate youth, through the recently launched “Cuaderno de Actividades del Guardián del Alamar” (Guardian of the Alamar Activities Booklet), and by working with Mexican authorities to have the Arroyo Alamar be declared a natural protected area.

To learn more about the Arroyo Alamar, please click here, and to learn more about EHC’s binational work, please click here, or contact Anibal Mendez at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

For over a decade, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) has worked with residents in Old Town National City to address food insecurity. Responding to an EHC community survey in 2005, residents were already voicing their concerns about the lack of affordable healthy food in OTNC and its impact on their daily lives. Their struggle for food access has been acknowledged at the federal level by the United States Department of Agriculture that designated Old Town National City as a “food desert”; defined as a part of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy whole foods1. Residents of National City are suffering and dying from preventable diseases that are a result of poor nutrition and lack of access to healthy food. Within National City, there are approximately twice as many fast food and convenience stores as there are general grocery and fruit and vegetable markets2. Over 50% of children in the National School District are overweight or obese3, and National City residents have the highest rate of heart attacks in all San Diego County4.

In response to this severe community health crisis, residents have been working with city officials to find community driven solutions. Community members have identified the inclusion of a community garden in the Paradise Creek Park plan design as a solution to help increase physical activity and food access.

EHC will continue to work diligently to ensure that National City residents remain in the planning process and that their neighborhood transitions from a toxic to a healthy one . Follow EHC on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates on the Paradise Creek Park community garden and contact Sandy Naranjo, National City Policy Advocate, at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. for ways to get involved.

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1  American Nutrition Association. USDA Defines Food Deserts. http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/usda-defines-food-deserts
2  National City, National City General Plan (2011), 227. http://www.nationalcityca.gov/home/showdocument?id=5217
3  San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative, State of Childhood Obesity in San Diego County (2016), 7. https://sdcoi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/stateofchildhoodobesity-sdcountyfinal1.pdf
4  Schroeder, Lauryn “Coronado has Good Hearth Health, National City Much Less So. Find Your Community on Interactive Map. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/data-watch/sd-me-cardiovascular-rate-20180209-story.html. July 23, 2018.

In December 2017, Environmental Health Coalition Executive Director Diane Takvorian was honored as the KPBS and National Conflict Resolution Center’s community hero for environmental sustainability.

That honor culminated with a community conversation on January 11, 2018, between Diane and KPBS environmental reporter Erik Anderson.

More than 145 community members joined Diane and Erik as they talked about nearly 40 years of EHC’s work to protect public health and our communities burdened by toxic pollution. After their conversation, each table discussed three important questions among themselves and shared their answers with the crowd. Community members from Barrio Logan, National City, City Heights and Sherman Heights joined us and the conversation was translated into English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Thank you for joining us. If you missed it, you can check out the Facebook Live video of Diane’s interview with Erik here.

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In December 2017, National City Council unanimously approved a community garden for the neighborhood and granted oversight and maintenance to National-City based Mundo Gardens.

Mundo Gardens is a neighborhood garden program which cultivates wellness and empowers youth and families by combining nature, music and art.

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Why Does A Community Garden Matter?

Since 2005, residents have expressed the need for access to fresh, healthy food and natural space owned and operated by the community, for the community.

The garden, soon to be located on the north side of Paradise Creek Park near Kimball Elementary School, aligns with the community’s vision for a healthy neighborhood.

In a place that ranks among the top five percent of communities in California most impacted by pollution, a locally owned and operated garden embodies our hope for a healthier future.

National City Council will finalize the implementation agreement with Mundo Gardens in 2018. The garden is expected to open in the summer of 2019.

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This op-ed originally ran in Voice of San Diego. It is authored by Philomena Marino and Maria Martinez, Barrio Logan residents and community leaders with the Environmental Health Coalition.

Our polluted neighborhood has long been ignored. We have a vision for a healthy, clean neighborhood and we have a solution: the community-developed Barrio Logan community plan update from 2013.

Children suffer in Barrio Logan because polluting businesses operate next to homes, schools and parks.

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Families here live on the same street as companies like SA Recycling. You might think “recycling” means neat rows of bins for glass and cans, but SA Recycling crushes junked cars creating hazardous wastes, and moves mountains of debris onsite using noisy and diesel-driven equipment. Additionally, fires at recycling centers are regular occurrences, and SA Recycling had a large, middle-of-the-night fire in 2015 that sent toxic smoke into our homes.

We know that most people in San Diego don’t have an industrial-scale recycling plant on their street, but in Barrio Logan, it’s common. That’s why, when the city asks us about what we want to see in our neighborhood during its redrafting of our outdated community plan, we feel frustrated because the answer is so clear.

We have already answered the question of what we want to see here so many times. In fact, it’s been such a long process answering this same question that our children are now old enough to attend the meetings themselves and reiterate what we’ve been saying for years.

We want clean air in our community.

Our polluted neighborhood has long been ignored. We have a vision for a healthy, clean neighborhood and we have a solution: the community-developed Barrio Logan community plan update from 2013.

Currently, Barrio Logan operates with a community plan from 1978 – the oldest in the city of San Diego. Nearly 40 years of an outdated community plan has led to a neighborhood where children are almost three times more likely to end up in the emergency room for breathing problems than the average San Diego child, according to data from California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. We know that playing outside leads to coughing fits and asthma flare-ups for our kids and elders. Barrio Logan ranks in the top 5 percent of most impacted communities in California in CalEnviroScreen, the state’s screening model to identify areas with high levels of both pollution and socioeconomic disadvantages such as poverty that make pollution more harmful to health.

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More than 50 community meetings over five years resulted in a plan for a better Barrio Logan that was approved by the City Council in 2013. The plan is simple. It re-zones Barrio Logan – establishing residential, industrial, and commercial areas within the community so that residents, industries, and businesses can each operate safely. A “buffer zone” separates residential areas where families live and children play from the heavy industries and shipyards. The buffer zone encourages the development of a parking structure for the working waterfront workforce, maritime administration offices, and maritime suppliers that would not pose health threats to residents, and more.

It also protects Barrio Logan’s historical culture and improves the community. It prioritizes developments that enhance and reflect the character of Barrio Logan, encourages affordable housing opportunities and preserves and restores older homes in the neighborhood. The plan even identifies Barrio Logan as a cultural and arts center and lays out the development of the Logan Avenue Arts District. Those elements of the plan protect and preserve our neighborhood for the people who currently live here.

In 2014, Mayor Kevin Faulconer supported the repeal of the plan. Now, three years later, we see the city proposing a plan that doesn’t support the community’s vision and adds significantly more polluting industries to the buffer zone.

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So when city planners come in and ask, “What do you want to see in your neighborhood?” we feel insulted, because we’ve already given the answer. They know that our air is thick and tastes dirty when we wake up until we go to sleep. They know that we live with the reality that our children and elders will struggle with asthma their entire lives. They know that we will never be able to breathe easily, and that playing sports or being active will never be effortless. They know all of this because we’ve said it. And, they know the answer, because we developed it more than four years ago.

So let’s not go back to square one. Barrio Logan families deserve the plan they spent years creating. Please don’t come to our meetings and ask us questions you already know the answer to. When you are ready to talk about implementing the community-created plan, we are ready to talk about what a just future looks like for Barrio Logan.

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Community planning helps our neighbors cultivate a sustainable City Heights that is safe, healthy and affordable for the people who live there. As a community, we notice the rising cost of living and the stress it places on our quality of life.

This letter from the California Endowment evaluated the biggest concerns residents in City Heights have about the changes we’re seeing in our neighborhood. Most notably, our neighbors are worried about the increasing cost of living and the lack of affordable housing.

City Heights is not alone. Low-income communities of color around the country face similar challenges and families share similar fears. Our neighborhoods are changing.

We must continue to talk openly with each other about cultivating neighborhoods that are affordable for long-term residents and community members who have a stake in the neighborhood and have invested time, money and care into the place they call home.

Want to get involved? Learn more about preserving our communities, for our communities, here.

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Lead poisoning is the number one environmental health threat to children, and also considered the most preventable.

You may know that the week of October 22 is National Lead Poising Prevention Week -- although we work year round to protect our children from lead. Here are some important steps to keep your children healthy and create a safe place for them to live, learn and grow:

  • Check the year your home was built. Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. Find out the year your house was built by asking your neighbors for a date range, checking online at Zillow.com, visiting your Tax Assessor’s Office or calling a realtor.
  • Update your home. It’s best to fix all of the deteriorated paint around the house using lead-safe work practices. Sanding, replacing doors and windows and other common renovation activities can create hazardous lead dust. Hire contractors certified by EPA, which are trained on how to minimize the dust and cleaning thoroughly.
  • Get your child tested for lead. Ask your doctor to test your child for lead, or follow EHC on Facebook and Twitter to find out when we schedule our next free lead testing. There is no lead safe level.
  • Remove lead-contaminated toys and jewelry. Visit this Consumer Safety Product Commission website to find out if your toys and jewelry contain lead.
  • Choose nutritious foods. A healthy diet helps prevent lead absorption into the body. Give children foods rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C.
  • Watch what you bring home. Don't take lead home with you! If you work in auto repair, shipbuilding, construction, demolition, steel welding or other industrial work places, don’t forget to wash your hands and face, change your clothes and dust off your shoes before walking into your home.
  • Keep lead out of schools. Support statewide bill AB746 to protect children from lead in schools by signing our letter here.

Lead causes learning disabilities, stunts growth, reduces IQ, causes aggressive behavior and is linked to teenage pregnancy and juvenile delinquency. Together, let’s do everything we can to ensure a healthy future for our children.

Letty Photo

Leticia Ayala
Campaign Director, Healthy Kids

La noche era fresca, pero era suficiente un suéter delgado y el calor de la fogata para disfrutar de las estrellas, la compañía y las buenas pláticas.

Llegamos al evento alrededor de 60 personas. El Arroyo Alamar nos recibió con nuevos brazos de arroyitos que se formaron desde las lluvias de febrero. Estaba verde y vibrante y los mosquitos eran una fiesta que había que alejar si no querías pasar la noche rascándote los brazos, pero nadie se quejaba porque estábamos felices de compartir ese inesperado bosque en medio de la zona industrial de Tijuana.

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El evento comenzó desde la tarde, alrededor de las cinco y media y conforme íbamos llegando íbamos instalando las casas de campaña. Empezamos por dar una caminata por el bosque ripario en donde nos platicaron de las plantas y animales de la zona. Conocimos diferentes yerbas medicinales que se dan de forma natural ahí y que por generaciones han servido para apaciguar los síntomas como dolores de cabeza, fiebre y dolores de estómago por la gente que solía tener ranchos en esa zona.

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Llegamos al “árbol del ahorcado” donde nos platicaron las historias de miedo que platicaban los abuelos de la zona. Y valerosamente regresamos al campamento antes de que se oscureciera para evitar cualquier encuentro sobrenatural no planeado en el programa.

Cuando llegamos a la zona de campamento, el equipo de Scouts ya estaba iniciando la fogata.

Mientras seguía llegando la gente, los scouts coordinaron cantos y ceremonias alrededor de la hoguera, mientras platicábamos y preparábamos la cena para compartir que todos trajimos. A las nueve de la noche dimos la bienvenida general ya con toda la gente alrededor de fuego. Platicamos sobre la importancia del Alamar para las comunidades cercanas y de los beneficios que presta a la zona. De cómo es un rio binacional que nos recuerda que a pesar de los muros somos una misma región, con la misma gente, la misma agua y el mismo aire.

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En seguida se presentó el grupo de danza africana “Proyecto Danza Afro Tj” que nos recordaron nuestra historia, raíces y al latido de la tierra con sus tambores y su danza. Y como no hay campamento que sea memorable sin una guitarra, el compañero Guillermo Guadalajara interpretó canciones de canto nuevo que nos recordaron que todos estamos conectados. La noche siguió y seguimos.

Amaneció a las 5:30 de la mañana ya con los chilaquiles en la fogata y el café y los frijoles calientes. Nos despedimos todos con una sonrisa por haber hecho nuestro por esa noche ese bosque y porque estamos seguros de que ese espacio es de todos y para todos y que seguramente no será el último campamento en el Alamar.

#ElAlamarEsDeTodos #ViveElAlamar

Anibal Photo

Aníbal Méndez
Community Organizer, Border Environmental Justice Campaign

In Barrio Logan, the community-inspired and created murals of Chicano Park surround us. The historic place reminds us every day of the neighborhood’s rich history and the deep roots art has in our community.

For the first time ever, we’re collaborating with the Chicano Park Steering Committee, muralist Alicia M. Siu, residents and students from Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI) to guide a new mural right behind the Chicano Park Herb Garden.

The goal? Develop a mural that illustrates Barrio Logan’s message of unity and resilience while empowering our youth to continue the movement for environmental justice.

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With a series of community workshops, we’ve cultivated and grown the collective vision of this mural and what it stands for. More than 70 people of all ages from our neighborhood attended both workshops to provide ideas that will guide the local muralist, Alicia M. Siu, to draft a proposal for the design that the Chicano Park Steering Committee will approve.

We watched as our friends, teachers, colleagues, students and family members came together to share their passion for our neighborhood and its cultural resilience. It’s the people behind this mural that inspire us to work closely on this project in our community of Barrio Logan.

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A few months ago, we rejoiced when same-sex marriage became a legal right for all people who identify as LGBTQ. We chanted “Love Wins” and posted photos of rainbow flags rippling proudly in the wind against a sunny blue sky.

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This week, the same flags tether under somber grey clouds as we mourn the many tragic losses in Orlando. The largest mass shooting in U.S. history targeted an LGBTQ community that is also a community of color; 90 percent of the victims were Latin and more than half were Puerto Rican.

The atmosphere of disrespect and hatred that communities of color continue to suffer is incomprehensible and ugly. In the words of an LGBT organizer in a recent YouTube video, “We have to demand a stop to that message of hate and intolerance.”

We have hope that out of this awful darkness will come a light. A shining, blinding, blazing light. And to get there, we must stay together with people that share our values. We must hold hands with others who have zero tolerance for hate and violence. We must stay strong, united and focused. We must balance our sorrow and anger with action. We must work even harder to end the epidemic of gun violence and racism.

This loss is beyond heartbreaking. We’re still here. Flags fly high. Love – still – wins.

We were proud to join over 250 other community leaders from across the state to celebrate visionary grassroots policy-making at California Environmental Justice Alliance's 2015 Congreso: People, Power, PolicyCongreso: People, Power, Policy. It was an honor to travel to Sacramento and lift up community-rooted solutions sprouting throughout the state and unite to grow the movement for vibrant and resilient communities. These are some of our favorite photos from the two-day event. 

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Environmental Health Coalition Policy Advocate Carolina Martinez talks about toxic-free neighborhoods and building #healthyhoods. 

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EHC Community Organizer Tuan Luu proudly works for energy equity for communities of all languages. 

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Environmental Health Coalition Executive Director Diane Takvorian shares the strategies that built environmental justice victories in our communities. 

You can view more than one hundred photos from the 2015 Congreso on California Environmental Justice Alliance's facebook album. Learn more about the California Environmental Justice Alliance here

For 35 years, our communities have cultivated environmental justice and social change. After an incredible 35 years of striving for #healthyhoods, our neighborhoods are safer and healthier places to live, work and play.

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This year we celebrate 35 years of victories, including our most recent wins in Tijuana, National City and City Heights.

We feel gratitude for every community member who took action and took a stand to make our neighborhoods healthier. For our 35th anniversary, we celebrate you.

To us, 35 years of environmental justice and your work means:

Giuliana 1 cropped“I feel proud to be a part of such an incredible environmental justice organization. 35 years of EHC means a time to celebrate our healthier communities and our protected natural environment. It’s time to celebrate the amazing support of our community members who look out for neighborhoods in need and work to make change happen.” 

- Giuliana Schroeder, development director

 

Franco Garcia“35 years of residents fighting back to reduce the toxic pollution that affects their health and lives every day. That’s powerful. That’s profound.” 

- Franco Garcia, organizing director

 

 

 

Jamie Ortiz image"EHC is nothing without the brave, responsible community members who stand up for what is right. We're celebrating 35 years of community members working day after day to build healthier places to work and play." 

- Jamie Hampton, communications consultant

 

 

While we celebrate 35 years of environmental justice and social change, we're also excited about our communities' visions for an even better future. Make sure you're a part of our next environmental justice win by becoming a member and staying involved

CEJA savethedate 6 300x300Environmental Health Coalition is joining the California Environmental Justice Alliance’s 2015 Sacramento Congreso: People, Power, Policy, to unite with over 250 other community leaders. We will tell our representatives that environmental justice in our communities needs to be a statewide priority. We’re working hard to advance statewide policies with members and allies throughout the state and the Congreso is our annual gathering to connect, reflect, and celebrate. We’ve already made big moves on our priority bills this spring, and as the summer heats up, so will our people power!

EHC will also join the Congreso to celebrate visionary grassroots policy-making fueled by people power in San Diego and across the state. We will share our community-rooted solutions with the rest of California’s environmental justice community and also learn about the strategies of other successful, resilient communities throughout the state. EHC will even lead roundtable discussions on how state agencies, elected officials and community members can all work together to advance environmental justice.

The Congreso has reached capacity and registration is now closed, but we encourage you to join our conversation by following #PeoplePowerPolicy.

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“Urban transit systems in most American cities, for example, have become a genuine civil rights issue. If transportation systems in American cities could be laid out so as to provide an opportunity for poor people to get meaningful employmentt, then they could begin to move into the mainstream of American life.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Communities along the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway (SR-94) need more transportation options, such as public transit stops, bike lanes and walking paths –our elected officials agree! And EHC is proudly paving the way!

gloria2 square“We need to build on the investments we have made in our Bus Rapid Transit lines. I am advocating for a BRT stop to serve the communities of Golden Hill and Sherman Heights.”
- Councilmember Todd Gloria, Third District

  

Gonzalez headshot square“My constituents have shared their concerns with the impact an expanded freeway would have on air quality, and have requested improved access to regional travel. We kindly ask [to] include these community-based alternatives in the DEIR.”
- Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, 80th District

 

alvarez square“[By including these alternatives] the community will have a comprehensive understanding of the transit situation in this corridor and the decision makers can make a more informed decision on how to best spend our limited transit dollars”
- Councilmember David Alvarez, Eighth District

 

myrtle cole square“I fully support the communities request for alternatives [that] may help us achieve the goals of our Climate Action Plan and will improve transit mobility not only for our impacted, overburdened, and underserved communities along the freeway, but for the entire region.”
- Councilmember Myrtle Cole, Fourth Council District

 

marti emeraldsquare“The communities adjacent to the SR-94 have been historically underserved by public transit… please consider alternatives suggested by the community.”
- Council President, Marti Emerald, San Diego City Council

 

After months of persistent advocacy, in mid-July SANDAG announced its plan to reverse course on freeway expansion. Instead they will include community-supported alternatives in the environmental review for the Martin Luther King Freeway/SR94 and allocate $31 million for an innovative transit demonstration project.  The announcement directly responds to community concerns about the irreversible harm freeway expansion would cause.

With your contribution, we can continue prioritizing people before polluting freeways.

EHC, in partnership with City Heights CDC, MAAC, will continue advocating for a transit stop in the Sherman Heights/Golden Hill communities. This is one step in a larger march for transportation justice. Will you join the march with us?

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$25 (or $2/month) – Posters for a public hearing on transportation planning
$120 (or $10/month) – One day of door-to-door campaigning for better transit in low-income communities
$500 (or $40/month) – Mobilizing 50 community members to attend a public hearing
$1,500 (or $125/month) – Four-week SALTA leadership training course on transportation justice for 55 community residents

Monique López
Policy Advocate
Environmental Health Coalition

The climate revolución has begun. On April 30, our Annual Awards Celebration, Climate Revolución, recognized this movement and the community voices leading the charge for clean air and transportation justice in our region. 

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With EHC members, neighbors, allies, friends, fellow advocates, business owners, sponsors and elected officials, we celebrated the Climate Revolución and EHC's 35th Anniversary with an incredible night of inspiration, awards, laughter and of course, selfies. 

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A sold out crowd spent Thursday evening helping us recognize community members, organizations and elected officials leading the charge to revolutionize clean air and transporation justice policies. These heroes include:

2015 Healthy Neighborhoods Champion Award:

  • City Heights Built Environment Team and City Heights Community Action Team. 
    City Heights Community Development Corporation, Associación de Liderazgo Communitaria, International Rescue Committee, Marco Montiel, Esperanza Gonzalez, Martha Patty Rosales, Delfina Guzman, Melanie Azvedo, Sallie Lemmie, Tuong Cong Bui, Christy Tran, Trong Dinh and Lam Truong.

    EHC has worked with these groups of community residents and organizations dedicated to improving City Heights for the past four years to develop a Community Driven Action Plan. The group chose to focus on advancing transportation justice and has focused on the Mid-City Bike Corridor, street improvements and demanding an equitable Regional Transportation Plan.

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2015 Environmental Champion Award:

  • Cleveland National Forest Foundation and Sierra Club
    These organizations have effectively used legal strategy to challenge inequitable transportation and climate action plans at the local and regional level. The organizations won an appeals court ruling against SANDAG’s inequitable and inadequate 2012 Regional Transportation Plan and Sierra Club won a ruling that will force the County of San Diego to strengthen its inadequate Climate Action Plan.
  • SanDiego350
    An all-volunteer action group, SanDiego350 organized the massive People’s Climate March in 2014, attracting more than 1,500 San Diegans passionate about taking action on climate change and joining more than 2,000 similar events around the world. The organization also worked side-by-side with EHC to defeat two power plants: Quail Brush and Pio Pico.

2015 Spirit of Justice Award:

  • Todd Gloria and David Alvarez

    Both Gloria and Alvarez have worked tirelessly to bring environmental justice to overburdened communities and to the San Diego region.

    During Gloria’s term as interim Mayor, he completed the draft Climate Action Plan with an emphasis on substantial expansion of renewable energy, alternative transportation, energy efficiency measures, greenhouse gas reduction and social equity.

    Alvarez has been a courageous advocate for healthy neighborhoods, including reducing pollution and the impacts of climate change. He advanced a City Council-approved resolution to move the City of San Diego Climate Action Plan forward when it was stalled.

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View photos from the event of on Facebook here.

A video to announce the awardees and ignite our shared passion for climate justice highlighted the celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toni Atkins couldn't attend in person, but sent her support of the Revolución and all the award winners via video. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Using the hashtag #climaterevolución to capture moments, our guests helped document the evening one photo at a time.

Click here to view what our guests said about the #climaterevolucion.

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Even when the event was over, the Climate Revolución remained inspiring. An email from San Diego City College Student Health Services perfectly captures the feeling we were hoping to ignite.

"Thank you so much for the invitation to join you and my City Colleagues at the incredible celebration and fund-raiser for EHC. It was terrific to learn of the social justice and empowerment work by this incredible agency!As a pediatric nurse for > 20 years, I saw poor children come into the hospital in much greater numbers for asthma, respiratory illnesses. I attributed it at the time to lack of continuous well-child care, lack of money for treatments/meds…what I did not consider nor learn about until last night was the significant neighborhood pollution and other environmental impacts of underrepresented populations in their communities. I had looked at their respiratory problems from the single lens of medical care, not incorporating the important contributions of the environment. Again, I had taught families about pets and pillows and allergans impacting breathing, but had forgotten about the air they breathe in their communities, and that it is likely very different from the air I breathe, though we both live in SD.

I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to become part of this organization’s work and for opening my eyes. I am learning. Thank you!"

Thank you to all our sponsors, including: Pacifica CompaniesSan Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Convention CenterInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Port of San Diego, the California Endowment, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 135, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Manpower - Linda and Mel Katz, Blue Summit Wealth Management, ECOR - Noble Environmental Technologies, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, UC San Diego Health Systems, and Ryan Brothers Coffee.

We can't say thank you enough to everyone who attended, contributed and volunteered for the Climate Revolución and the fight for cleain air and transportation justice in our region. We are humbled and honored to know and work with all of you. See you next year, and viva la Revolución!

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Community Organizer Jose Franco was recently asked to give a presentation on environmental justice to students at Bishop’s High School in La Jolla. Students had requested a perspective on “environmentalism as a movement,” not just the jargon of reduce, reuse and recycle.

The students appreciated the fresh perspective and learned that there's more to environmental justice than they had previously thought. Following the presentation, one student shared his thoughts on the presentation in his school newsletter, and we felt inspired to share it with you.

Thoughts on the Earth Day Assembly

I have been around for a lot of Earth Days. I wasn’t here for the first one; anyone who was is really, really old - or at least 45, which is really, really old to some of you. As important as the message of Earth Day is, sometimes it seems like we are putting on a broken record. That becomes frustrating for the people hearing it, and even more so for people like Gloriana and Dylan who persist in repeating themselves in attempt to get people to listen and actually make positive changes.  

I was expecting our guest speaker, Jose Franco, to drop the needle on the same-old environmental message, but this was a completely different perspective. Kind of like hearing Chris Cornell’s cover of Micheal Jackson’s Billie Jean, same song played in a way that makes you rethink the original. Thank you to Gloriana, Dylan and GCI.  

There were two economic aspects of what Mr. Franco presented that are worth adding to the discussion on the topic of environmental justice. First, when Mr. Franco asked who thought that climate change affected everyone the same, there were a lot of hands. He followed by talking about “heat islands” and health factors and showed a map displaying the disproportionate impact on some communities.

I looked around and saw some faces that were either confused, not buying it, or exhausted from a late night of homework. From an economic perspective, the costs of climate change a definitely disproportionately borne by the poor vis-à-vis higher food prices. When you are poor you spend a greater fraction of your income on food. The costs of climate change are no different than a regressive tax, the increase in food prices is more taxing on the poor.

My second comment has to do with correlation and causality. While there certainly is the problem of NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) with the wealthy using economic and political influence to push for projects with negative externalities (ask an AP Econ student what that is) to be built somewhere else, the housing market sets prices according to the environmental conditions around the house – supply and demand make houses close to the beach more expensive and houses next to prisons cheaper. Pollution may move into poor neighborhoods, but poor people are moving into polluted neighborhoods. Don’t move there, you say. Well, where else can you go? Income constraints often leave the poor without affordable housing options, especially here in San Diego.  

The science of climate change is more complex than hotter temperatures and the socio-economic impact is just as complicated. What should you do? Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! Don’t add more trash that will end up in a landfill in someone else’s neighborhood. Caring for the environment is caring for others!”

- Dee Mecham

The power of the community voice has spearheaded the revitalization of our region, leading the charge to revolutionize transportation and energy policy. On April 30, were holding our annual awards ceremony to celebrate this movement and the community leaders who make it possible. Reserve your seats today and join these sponsoring organizations as part of the climate revolución.

 

Pacifica Companies
Presenting Sponsorpacifica

Ash Israni founded Pacifica Companies 31 years ago. He saw every real eastate project as a chance to improve the quality of life in the community and preserve and protect the natural environment. Little did he know these values would lead him to become part of the climate revolución. Pacifica Companies is not only our presenting sponsor for 2015, but our 4th annual presenting sponsor.

Pacifica Companies develops real estate projects that improve the quality of life for the end user and those in the surrounding community, respects the ideas and concerns of everyone whom the development affects, and preserves and protects the natural environment.

 

San Diego Airport Authority GO on Light Background
Platinum Sponsor

The San Diego Airport Authority utilizes green building practices and supports local workers and businesses. It's building a future of clean energy and transportation justice.

 

Port of San Diego Unified-Port-of-San-Diego-Logo-small
Gold Sponsor

The Port of San Diego is building the climate revolución with creative investments in renewable energy projects and bold leadership in energy efficiency. We're proud to have them as a gold sponsor.

 

California Endowment ce
Gold Sponsor

The California Endowment embodies the message that whole community health goes beyond good vs. bad choices. It requires transportation justice and clean energy.

 

Planned Parenthood Pacific Southwest 
ppswGold Sponsor

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest's motto is, "Care. No matter what." Its spirit and leadership contributes to the climate revolución. We are honored to have them as a gold sponsor.

 

San Diego Convention Center sdcc sunlogo web 2
Gold Sponsor

The San Diego Convention Center brings clean energy, good jobs and local businesses together; a perfect fit for the climate revolución.

UFCW Local 135 Local 135
Gold Sponsor

UFCW Local 135 is well known for their tradition of excellence in representing the needs of working men and women. The climate revolución will have good jobs that respect both the environment and the worker because of the UFCW.

 

Pala Band of Mission Indians pala
Gold Sponsor

The Pala Tribe works diligently to anticipate any environmental damage they might create. With this in mind, they have developed specific programs in working to preserve the environment that are leading the climate revolución.

 

 

Manpower - Linda and Mel Katz logo manpower
Gold Sponsor

Linda and Mel are bold leaders of corporate citizenship and civic engagement in San Diego. Their involvement in the community, and Manpower's ability to help the unemployed find a paycheck, are pushing the climate revolución forward.

 

Blue Summit Wealth Management bluesummit
VIP Sponsor

Blue Summit Wealth Management invests in projects that bring clean energy and transportation justice to the communities who need it. Now, they're investing in the climate revolución

 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Updated IBEW LOGO
VIP Sponsor

The IBEW builds the infrastructure of the climate revolución every single day as it leads the industries of clean energy and transportation justice. We're privelidged to have its support.

 

 

 

Ryan Bros Coffee ryanbros
VIP Sponsor

Ryan Bros Coffee is a staple of our community and always engaged in their impact on our neighborhood and in our environment. They love to serve coffee because they love people, and they embody the spirit of the climate revolución.

 

ECOR - Noble Environmental Technologies ecor
VIP Sponsor

ECOR is creating the sustainable materials that will become the building blocks of the climate revolución. We're proud to have them as a VIP sponsor.

 

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Councilsdlclogo
VIP Sponsor

Working families are the backbone of the climate revolución. The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council is advancing the future by advancing the policies and legislation that support them.  

 

UC San Diego Health SystemsUCSD Health
VIP Sponsor

UC San Diego Health Systems is creating a healthier world one life at a time. They are building new science, mew medicine and new cures for the climate revolución. 

 

Thank you to all of our sponsors for becoming part of the climate revolución. Together, we lead the charge to revolutionize transportaion and energy regionwide and build a healthy future for our communities. Viva la revolución. 

To learn more about becoming a sponsor, click here.

To join the climate revolución on April 30, buy your tickets here.

yesbccouncil copyCouncilmember Todd Gloria has been taking strides to reform the referendum process in San Diego. In his previous role as Council President, he and San Diego City Council supported the Barrio Logan community when corporations launched a deceptive referendum that ultimately repealed the community-developed and long overdue plan that would make Barrio Logan a healthier place to live.

The dishonest process resurfaced again when City Council voted to raise the minimum wage and increase paid sick time off and multi-national, billion-dollar corporations paid signature gatherers to mislead voters into signing. Now, Councilman Gloria is moving to reform referendum policies and restore true democracy to the people of San Diego.

Recently the U-T San Diego ran an editorial criticizing these efforts titled “Bad Councilman Todd Gloria”. We had to speak up. Todd Gloria’s efforts clearly do not to thwart the democratic process, but do just the opposite- protect it.

Below is Diane Takvorian’s response to the U-T, which can also be found here.

Councilman Todd Gloria’s efforts to reform the City’s referendum system is exactly what’s needed to restore true democracy to the people of San Diego. Rather than “Bad Councilman Todd Gloria”, he is shining a light on a system that allows multi-national corporations to exact undue influence over legislative decisions. Case in point is the defeat of the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update in June 2014 as the result of a referendum financed by the multi-billion dollar shipbuilding industry. After four years of extensive community participation by thousands of residents that resulted in a compromise approved by the City Council that would have improved the community by mitigating pollution and reducing childhood asthma, the plan was repealed by voters. This, despite a finding by a local judge confirming that the public had been deceived by the signature gatherers but still allowed the election to proceed.

Ultimately the special interests opposing the Barrio Logan plan spent over $1,700,000 to win their referendum campaign, outspending the local community by 17:1 and leaving the outdated and dangerous industrial zoning in place. This is a clear example of the distortion of a true democratic process at the expense of community residents who will have to live with the devastating effects. Reform is overdue and Councilman Gloria is leading the way.

Diane Takvorian
Executive Director
Environmental Health Coalition

When we look back at 2014 we're inspired by the victories you helped us achieve, bringing our communities closer to #healthyhoods.

We remember:

barrio live 2014 bus

  1. Implementing 201 affordable housing units in Westside National City -- with groundbreaking scheduled in 2015.
    The leadership of Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo-Solis and EHC Leader Adriana Alfaro were invaluable to this victory.
  2. Launching the nation's first lead-free candy website.
    Children and toxics don't mix. Our lead free candy resource addresses your concerns and questions about keeping your children safe from lead in candy. 
  3. Finalizing a Climate Plan for San Diego -- slated for approval in 2015!
    San Diego will finally have a climate plan that works towards cleaner air, transportation justice and green jobs. 
  4. Uniting the Barrio Logan community for a community plan update.
    We are united and ready to continue fighting for community plan update that works towards #healthyhoods. 
  5. Saving the Arroyo Alamar - united with our allies in Tijuana to prevent channelization.
    We were proud to organize Colectivo Ollín Calli, members of the Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental, Jóvenes Pro Justicia Ambiental, residents of the Colonia Chilpancingo and more to submit a petition to stop channelization harmful to the local ecosystem.
  6. Leading SALTA training in three languages for the first time.
    Leaders will now be prepared to organize their communities to fight for environmental justice in Vietnamese, Spanish and English. See SALTA graduate Tuan Luu’s reaction to graduating from SALTA. 
  7. Transportation justice advocates advancing transit, bicycling and walking before freeway expansion.
    We’ve have shown city decision makers that our communities demand transportation plans that work for all types of commuters and keep our air clean. 
  8. Port of San Diego finalizing its Climate Action Plan.
    The Port of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan prepares for unavoidable effects of climate change and a 25% reduction of air pollution by 2035 to keep our air clean. 
  9. 400 people supporting #healthyhoods at EHC's Annual Awards Celebration.
    If you missed it, you can read about the accomplishments of our incredible awardees here
  10. Launching the video-learning tool, Creating Healthy Neighborhoods, to inspire grassroots community change and build leaders.
    Don’t leave important decisions about your family’s health and safety in the hands of others. Reclaim your power, and help create the community you want to live in. Check out the video tool here.

Thank you for your dedication to environmental justice that makes these victories a reality. With your support, we look forward to continuing this momentum into 2015 and the years to come. To join Environmental Health Coalition, please click here.

We know voting is important, but we want to know why you vote. We asked some of our staff members, and now we want to hear it from you! Submit a short video to us on Facebook and Twitter and we'll share our favorites. Why do you vote?

The approach of the new year has us reflecting on the year we are about to leave. In 2013, we accomplished goals many years in the making, and we couldn't have done it without our staff, community leaders, volunteers, board members, sponsors and ally organizations.

Our greatest accomplishments include: 

With the tireless hard work and support of everyone involved with EHC, we celebrate these incredible victories for our communities. When we look at 2014, we see ourselves already on the path to success. Thank you for everything you have done to bring these achievements to fruition and for never giving up on our vision of social and environmental justice.

HOLIDAY CARD BW FINAL


Happy Holidays, friends. Talk to you next year.

- EHC

Professor Ralph Keeling Climate Change San Diego

"When I travel with my kids, I tell them they're seeing things I don't expect they'll see again in future because of the climate crisis."

This is what Professor Ralph Keeling— world-renowned climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography's CO2 Program— told the San Diego City Council regarding the state of our region's climate. Keeling shared insights from his research and startling statistics about what challenges lie ahead for San Diego.

With atmospheric CO2 levels at the highest Earth has seen in the past 800,000 years, Professor Keeling warned that San Diego will see at least 15 feet of sea level rise. He also predicted more intense heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and impaired air quality— all especially concerning for low-income communities such as Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, City Heights and National City. Our communities already suffer the health consequences of the region's pollution and lack of resources such as healthcare, air conditioning and transportation, making it more challenging to cope with worsening conditions.

We have already seen climate change disproportionately impact our disadvantaged communities. During the state's heat wave of 2006, 99 percent of the associated deaths occurred in zip codes where more than half of residents were below the poverty line. The California Department of Public Health and the American Public Health Association have identified climate change as one of the most serious public health threats facing our nation, warning that the impacts are occurring sooner than expected.

San Diego can still tackle the great challenges of climate change, and the time to act is... yesterday! We have many solutions within our grasp to reduce pollution and create local jobs at the same time, such as installing solar panelson our rooftops and in our parking lots, making our buildings more energy and water efficient, building better transit and making neighborhoods more walkable and bikeable. The City of San Diego and the Port of San Diego have the opportunity to plan and implement all of these solutions by passing sustainable Climate Action Plans.

Old plans were not aggressive enough to keep up with the pace of climate change, and the Port of San Diego has yet to release a full draft of the plan it's been crafting for nearly three years. Meanwhile, our communities are already experiencing the effects of climate change. San Diegans deserve climate action plans that work, and they deserve them now.

Professor Keeling gave us hope that we still have a window of opportunity to stop the worst of climate change, but he warned that window is quickly closing. Hopefully his research and advice will urge City Council and the Port to take action equally as fast and aggressive as climate change. Stay tuned for more updates on the City and Port of San Diego's Climate Plan progress.

Our final post for May's Allergy Awareness Month features tips on how to prevent household mold from affecting your family's health by using natural cleaners.

Mold growth inside the home can be hazardous to your family’s health, causing allergic reactions, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, asthma, and skin rash.  However, mold can be eliminated from your home using natural cleaners.

baking soda_cleanerBaking soda is well known as a natural and safe household cleaner. Unlike other mold killers which contain harsh chemicals, baking soda is mild (pH of 8.1) and harmless to your family and any pets. Besides killing mold, baking soda also deodorizes and so using it can get rid of the smell mold leaves in your home. Baking soda also absorbs moisture to help keep mold away.

                How to Kill Mold with Baking Soda:

  • Add ¼ tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle of water. Shake well.
  • Spray moldy area with baking soda/water solution.
  • Use a sponge or scrub brush to remove the mold from the surface.
  • Once the mold is gone, rinse the area with water to remove the residual.
  • Spray the area with the solution again and let dry. This will kill any left over mold and prevent it from returning.

Vinegar is often used along with baking soda when cleaning up a mold problem since vinegar kills different species of mold. Vinegar is a mild acid which can kill 82% of mold species. However it also has the advantages of being natural and safe. Vinegar is non-toxic and doesn't give off dangerous fumes like bleach does. If you want to use vinegar to prevent mold growing on surfaces just spray vinegar on the surface and leave it. Repeat this every few days to ensure the surface will stay mold-free.

Controlling the source of moisture inside the house is necessary to eliminate mold growth. Mold grows when air-born spores (invisible to the naked eye) land on a wet or damp surface. Indoor mold has potential to cause ill health effects resulting from inhalation. 

silvia_leon_asthma_triggers_childrenThis story was originally published at blog.livingwithasthma.net on May 6, 2013.

Silvia León shared her story of asthma awareness and her son's asthma triggers in honor of World Asthma Day:

Asthma Story- I visit many families every month and I am able to hear personal stories about their children's asthma. Mostly all families are using bleach and many other household cleaning products to disinfect their homes. Most of the time families are not aware that using windex, bleach, ajax, comex, and many others can be asthma triggers. Our non-toxic kits and recommendations is an easy way to start to change the air quality of their home. The air that children breathe while inside their home is what is causing the asthma most of the time, because studies show that we spend about 80% of our time in our house. So if mommy used bleach to clean the strong smell, and/or other chemicals, kids breathe that in and it can cause an attack.

Asthma Tips- My son has asthma and his triggers have diminished greatly because I do the following:

  • Use non-toxic cleaning products
  • Throw their pillows in the dryer once a week
  • Use aller-ease mattress covers
  • Put baking soda on their bedroom carpet to absorb more dust than the vacuum alone can
  • Throw stuffed animals in the dryer
  • Open windows for ventilation
  • Keep pets outside.
  • I am very pro-active and informed. Information is the key!

For more information on Sylvia's efforts, please visit the following links:

Environmental Health Blog: Protecting Your Child From Asthma Attacks
Environmental Health Twitter
Environmental Health Healthy Kids Twitter

Brand new green bicycle lane installed in City Heights on 54th and University Ave. city heights_bike lane_ehccity heights_bike lane

The Active Transportation Manager at the City Heights Community Development Corporation (CDC), Randy Van Vleck, sent out an email on May 14th stating that the bike lanes on 54th Street had been upgraded with green paint. With his permission, we have reproduced his message with some minor adjustments:

For years, the intersection of 54th street and University Avenue in City Heights has been a major point of contention between cyclists and motorists. Although a bike lane exists, many accidents continued to occur at the northwest corner of this intersection.

Yet today, cyclists can commute safely on this road because City Heights has installed the city of San Diego's second-ever green bike lane. The additions to the existing bike lane include a fresh coat of green paint that alerts motorists to cyclists nearby with bike lane dashes in the conflict point of the intersection along with a "Yield to Bikes" sign with an image of a green bike lane.

The City installed the green bike lane last week in response to City Heights CDC's request on behalf of the City Heights Built Environment Team; a group of residents, along with Environmental Health Coalition, advocating for a health-supportive built environment. These changes signal a sigh of relief for BET members and residents alike who have been calling for action on behalf of a need for a improved safety at this intersection for 2.5 years.

We'd like to acknowledge everyone who stood alongside Environmental Health Coalition and the City Heights Built Environment Team in contributing in this effort:

-Residents of the 54th St & Uni Ave area-Mayor Filner and Bike Program Initiatives Manager Ed Clancy
-Councilmember Emerald and staff
-Traffic engineers Brian Genovese, Tom Landre, Linda Marabian, and Esmerelda White
-Bike SD Executive Director Samantha Ollinger
-Vien Dong market
-International Rescue Committee, Academia de Comunitario Liderazgo, Star Pal, Colina Park Neighborhood's First Initiative
-City Heights Area Planning Committee
-University Avenue Mobility Plan (54th St to 68th St) Working Group
-Media coverage: Megan Burks (Speak City Heights), Brian Myers (Media Arts Center), Adrian Florido (then with Voice of San Diego, now with KPBS), NBC

Still, the work here is not done— we need to make this intersection safe for everyone and reflect the consistency of the CA Complete Streets Act and new CA Highway Design Manual. Yet this green bike lane serves as a symbol of commitment to improve safety for active transportation at this intersection but to encourage it for years to come.

Part 2/2 in Protecting Your Child From Common Asthma Triggers

triggers pets lg

Reducing allergens and irritants that are common in homes is one way to help your child breathe easier. The second half of this blog series addresses pets, molds, and pests as asthma triggers in the home, and what you can do about them.

Pets

Your pet’s skin flakes, urine and saliva can be asthma triggers.

  • Consider keeping pets outdoors or even finding a new home for pets, if necessary.
  • Keep pets out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, and keep the door closed.
  • Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys.

Molds

mold natural cleaning supplies

Molds grow on damp materials. The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, get rid of both the mold and excess moisture. This will also help reduce other triggers, such as dust mites and cockroaches.

  • Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent material may need to be replaced.
  • Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.
  • Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, refrigerator, and dehumidifier clean and dry.
  • Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking or using the dishwasher.
  • Vent clothes dryers to outside of the home.
  • Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative humidity. This can be measured by hygrometers which are available at local hardware stores.

Pests

Droppings or body parts of pests such as cockroaches or rodents can be asthma triggers.

triggers pests lg

  • Do not leave food or garbage out
  • Store food in airtight containers
  • Clean all food crumbs or spills right away
  • Try using insect baits, boric acid (for roaches), or traps first before using pesticide sprays

If sprays are used, limit the spray to the infested area and carefully follow the instructions on the label. Make sure there is plenty of fresh air when you spray, and keep anyone with asthma out of the room.

2013 Awards Celebration: A Healthy Kids Victory a Resounding Success

In 2013, we honored five heroes whose leadership led to major victories for healthy kids in San Diego. EHC's four Healthy Kids Champion Awards went to EHC Promotora Martha Cortes, the California Attorney General, San Diego Housing Commission and the Channel 10 Investigative News Team. A sold-out crowd at Marina Village Baja Room in Mission Bay paid homage to these honorees along with the 3rd Annal Donna Frye Spirit of Justice Award winner Dr. Gerald Markowitz, public health professor, author and activist. (Enough writing, skip to the photos.)

EHC's A Healthy Kids Victory extends its thanks to the sponors that made this event possible: EHC's Presenting Sponsor Pacifica Companies and Blue Summit Wealth Management, Bruce and Betsy Gill, Chatten-Brown and Carstens and the Briggs Law Corporation.

We're planning our next awards event. Please Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. for information. 

EHC's Healthy Kids Champion Awards honored:

  • Sherman Heights Resident Martha Cortés

As a community leader for EHC since 1998, this "promotora" was a key spokesperson and activist for lead-safe candy initiatives that resulted in groundbreaking agreements between the U.S. and Mexico and that led to California's first lead-safe candy law, a first in the nation. She's now a community expert helping her neighbors create healthy homes by addressing mold, pesticides, carbon monoxide, and toxic household cleaners.

  • California Attorney General

Following the 2005 California law banning the sale of lead-contaminated candy, the California Attorney General partnered with EHC to advance a lawsuit to force candy companies to immediately stop producing lead-contaminated candies. The suit resulted in a candy certification program that includes annual testing of candy and makes lead-free candy available in stores around the world.

  • San Diego Housing Commission

A leader in ensuring lead-free homes for all families in San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission has dedicated $30 million toward its program that has saved lives and prevented disease. In partnership with EHC, the Housing Commission's support has helped more than 1,500 homes become lead safe and given 3,000 children healthier living conditions.

  • Channel 10 Investigative News Team

After EHC's advocacy efforts lead to the City of San Diego's adoption of the Children's Right to Lead Safe House Ordinance, the Channel 10 Investigative News Team went undercover to reveal the truth about compliance. Their investigation exposed disobedient rental homes and apartment complexes that continued to harm children's health.

  • Dr. Gerald Markowitz

A national leader calling for corporate and government accountability to address the harmful affects of lead, Markowitz leant his expertise to EHC's effort to enact the Children's Right to Lead Safe Housing in San Diego. Markowitz' latest book is "Lead Wars: The Politics of Science and the Fate of America's Children reveals incisive examination of lead poisoning during the past half century."



ehc 2013 awards celebration ash laura  hunter

ehc 2013 awards celebration bob gleason sharon k

ehc 2013 awards celebration bob nelson francine busby dave roberts teresa barth

ehc 2013 awards celebration donna fry  david alvarez

ehc 2013 awards celebration francine busby nicole capretz

ehc 2013 awards celebration peter z karim bouris

ehc 2013 awards celebration roberta alexander guests

ehc 2013 awards celebration ruth anita jane tasha

ehc 2013 awards celebration stephen whitburn group

ehc 2013 awards celebration sue  randerson

ehc 2013 awards celebration todd gloria  brandon

 MESA TÉCNICA

Abril 2013

¿Cómo es que algo con un nombre tan frío como "mesa técnica" es tan importante para el corazón de una comunidad?

La familia y el arroyo 


sustentable Mama e Hijo Alamar arboladasustentable Mama e Hijo Alamar cementoAna es madre de dos hijos, un niño que acaba de entrar a la primaria y un adolescente. Viven en una casa pequeña cerca del Arroyo Alamar. Los tres son integrantes de la campaña del la frontera de Environmental Health Coalition. Ella pertenece al Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental y sus hijos al grupo de jóvenes.

Por años han sido testigos, junto a toda la comunidad, de cómo el impacto por la contaminación y el crecimiento que genera la industria maquiladora han ido deteriorando el arroyo. Y más ahora con el proyecto de canalización del Alamar que está revistiendo de concreto el lecho del arroyo.

El Arroyo Alamar significa, para ellos y para muchas otras familias que viven cerca, una gran posibilidad de mitigar la contaminación por la maquiladora y el paso de los traileres que le sirven a esta industria. Es por esta razón que, desde hace ya varios meses, con EHC, el Colectivo y muchas otras ONG's, habían estado buscando la oportunidad de sentarse con las dependencias de gobierno encargadas del proyecto y encontrar una manera más sustentable de hacer el encauzamiento y la construcción de la vialidades que acompañan a dicho proyecto.

 La mesa técnica

En la casa de Ana y su familia, por generaciones la mesa del comedor ha significado el punto de encuentro de la familia, donde se nutre el cuerpo y se conectan todas las historias de chicos y grandes. Ahora la "Mesa Técnica del Arroyo Alamar" significa punto de encuentro entre gobierno, comunidad y organizaciones civiles, donde se nutre la posibilidad de mejorar la calidad de vida para las comunidades.

sustentable alamar mesa tecnicaRecientemente se ha logrado consolidar la participación de la Secretaria de Protección al Ambiente del Estado como coordinador de la mesa técnica y se tiene la esperanza de que el tema suba a nivel regional, integrando a funcionarios y comunidad de ambos lados de la frontera, ya que el Arroyo Alamar, aunque está dentro de México, nace y termina en suelo norteamericano.

 

Aníbal Méndez Martínez
Organizador Comunitario

 
 
 

Part 1/2 in Protecting Your Child From Common Asthma Triggers

healthy kids asthma inhaler dust homesIf you have a child with asthma, you are not alone. About 20 million Americans have asthma, and it is the leading cause of long-term illness in children. Reducing allergens and irritants that are common in homes is one way to help your child breathe easier. Three common triggers are secondhand smoke, dust mites, and house dust.

Secondhand Smoke 

Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from a burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar and the smoke breathed out by a smoker. Choose not to smoke in your home or car, and do not allow others to do so.

Dust Mites 

healthy kids dust prevention toys

Dust mites are too small to be seen, but they are found in every home. They live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, fabric-covered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, and stuffed toys. To prevent dust mites:

  • Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water
  • Choose washable stuffed toys and wash them often in hot water. Dry them thoroughly.
  • Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof (allergen-impermeable) zippered covers

House Dust

Remove dust often with a damp cloth, and vacuum carpet and fabric-covered furniture to reduce dust build-up. Using vacuums with high efficiency filters or central vacuums may be helpful.

Asthma is a serious lung disease. During an asthma attack, the airways get narrow, making it difficult to breath. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Asthma can even cause death. Consult a doctor and reduce asthma triggers in your home. Check out part 2 of this blog, which covers three more asthma triggers: pets, molds, and pests.

Ensuring the San Diego Port Commission reflects the whole community is vital to having a "Port for All"

laura hunter environmental health coalition port commission priorities

The position of Port Commissioner is a regionally very important one. The Port not only manages one of the region's premier economic assets, it has primary steward responsibility for the premier environmental asset in the region—San Diego Bay.

We are very appreciative of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner and the City Council for taking some time to look into the best way to seat the City of San Diego's Port Commission appointments. The way it has been done in the past can definitely be improved. Here are EHC's top priorities for improving the City of San Diego's Port Commission appointment process:

1. Increase Diversity of Port Appointments:

We support the clear guidance in the Council Policy 000-13 that aspires to a diversity on Board that 'reflects the entire community'. But, all too often, there is very little ethnic, gender, or economic diversity on the Port Commission. EHC would recommend that the city explore ways to increase the diversity of candidates.

The position is unpaid and time-consuming, so it's hard for most regular people to even consider applying for the Commission. To help alleviate the time burdens of the position, the City can improve staff support and resources to Port Commissioners.

To ensure broad community understanding of the Port Commission, the City should develop and post Port Commission job descriptions, standardize applications, offer more time in the appointment process for community groups to iprovide input, and increase community outreach related to the Port and opportunities to be a Port Commissioner.

The Port and the city would be better served with a diverse Board membership that reflects the community it seeks to serve. Without a concentrated effort to address this issue, the Port appointments will remain an insiders' game—which we do not think is in the highest public interest.Environmental health coalition port commission appointment priorities

2. Ensure Appointees Have Needed Skill Sets:

In terms of skills that are needed to do the job, the best Port Commissioners are those who can understand, are sensitive to, and can forge agreement among a wider diversity of stakeholders. The city will also be well served if your commissioners are experienced in working with the public and marrying the function of government and public input together.

The Port is also a regulatory agency. It has responsibility as landlord, but it also must enforce those leases and environmental rules like the Regional Storm Water Permit, CEQA, and others. In the past, the failure of the Port to be a strong enforcer has lead to multiple multi-million dollar cleanups of the Bay—a huge economic hit in addition to degrading the health of the Bay and communities around it. Failing to regulate the tenants is NOT good for the Bay, the city, or the economy. Commissioners must be clear on this important role.

3. Consider Appointments within Core Experience Areas:

In terms of selection, since the charter responsibilities are largely around commerce, recreation, and environmental protection, we would recommend that the city seek one Commissioner with skills in each of these focus areas. We agree with the Mayor's vision that Commissioners should be chosen to reflect some core experience areas.

At the end of the day, these adjustments to the process would ensure that the requisite skills and experience needed would be reflected on the Port Commission, in addition to the diversity of the community. Thank you Mayor Filner for your leadership in changing the appointment process to better serve all residents of San Diego. Thank you to the City Council Rules Committee under the leadership of Chair Sherri Lightner for spending the time to develop a clear vision and process for the Port Commissioner selection. We look forward to continued participation with the Mayor and City Council to ensure that our Port is one that reflects and represents our community.

February's implosion of the South Bay Power Plant was a cause for great celebration. South Bay became a different place when the Power plant was built and will be a different and better place, when it is removed. Its removal is a victory for community health, the environment, and for quality economic development.

For the first of a three part series written by Laura Hunter, who led a 20 year effort to stop the South Bay Power Plant from operating, she'll explain why the end of this dirty power plant means the end to decades of damage to downwind environmental justice communities of Chula Vista and San Diego.

Top 10 Ways to Poison-Proof your Home

  1. Keep the 24/7, free poison center helpline on you at all times (such as in your cell phone). 1-800-222-1222
  2. Be sure that cosmetics, personal care products, prescription and OTC medications, cleaning products, dietary supplements and vitamins, pesticides and lighter fluid, and household plants locked away or out of reach of children.
  3. Always keep cleaning products, gasoline, lighter fluid, antifreeze, pain and paint thinners in the containers that they came in.
  4. Never put something that it not food in a food or beverage container.
  5. Do not store food and household cleaners in the same cabinet.
  6. If you are caring for a little one, put purses or bags that may contain above mentioned products where a child cannot reach.
  7. Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in the home. Make sure they work and change the battery every 6 months.
  8. Never call medicine candy.
  9. Do not take medicine in front of children; they love to do what adults do.
  10. Objects that use small batteries, like toys or remotes, should be kept out of reach of small children. Disc batteries are both poisonous and a choking hazard.

4 million poisonings occur each year – over half to children. Please take these simple precautions to protect your family.

Originally published in the Equal Voice Newspaper on January 9, 2013bluetruck1

More parks and open space for families and children, and fewer diesel trucks spewing fumes into neighborhoods, were some of the biggest victories for the Environmental Health Coalition last year.

The coalition, works to protect public health threatened by toxic pollution in southern California.

Last year, the Environmental Health Coalition in San Diego, successfully shut down a Barrio Logan warehouse to stop its diesel trucks from polluting the air for nearby residents.

The neighborhood has one of the highest asthma rates, caused primarily, neighbors say, by pollutant-producing industrial businesses that are intermingled with homes, schools and parks.

The coalition also had a significant impact on the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan ‒ saving more than 40 percent of the land for parks and open space.

And in November, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted a number of the coalition's recommendations that will expand the reach of energy efficiency programs funded by ratepayers to low-income neighborhoods in San Diego.

The Environmental Health Coalition was started in 1980 as the Coalition Against Cancer. Since then, more information and awareness about relationship between serious health effects and the chemicals used in homes and workplaces has become available.

Thirty years later, Environmental Health Coalition has become a leader in the environmental justice movement and a resource for community-based organizations working on environmental health and justice, social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability.

PAIR Program 

Portside Air Quality & Improvement Relief

Do you qualify for a free air monitor and purifier in your home?

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What is the PAIR Program?

The PAIR Program is a two-year program dedicated to improving the indoor air quality in homes within Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, and West National City. These neighborhoods are known as Portside Communities because they are near the Port of San Diego. Portside Communities are exposed to more pollution than the rest of California because of their closeness to freeways, freight, and industrial activities.

Through funding from the County of San Diego and the Port of San Diego, over 500 Portside homes can receive a FREE air monitor and air purifier to improve air quality in their homes.

The San Diego Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is administering this program and the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) is conducting outreach and education, handling installation, and processing applications. EHC will also be on call to handle any troubleshooting during the two-year program cycle.

Each participant will receive:

  • Free delivery of the air monitor and air purifier with three additional filters to use during the two-year program.
  • First home visit by the PAIR Community Organizer to install the air monitor, discuss the benefits of the program, collect their application, offer tips to improve the indoor air quality of their home, and connect the home air monitor to the APCD’s system.
  • Second-home visit, 30 days later, to install the air purifier, explain how to replace the filter, and provide maintenance for the equipment.
  • Folder with contact information for any troubleshooting needs, bilingual manuals for the equipment, list of local health clinics, and information about SDG&E’s CARE program to offset the costs of running the equipment 24/7.
  • $125 stipend will be available for households that need financial assistance to help offset the costs of running the equipment.

 

Why is APCD monitoring the air in the homes of the participants?

APCD is interested in learning more about the pollutants and levels of pollutants inside Portside homes. This data can be used by the PAIR Program to identify additional resources to reduce the pollution exposure for Portside Communities.

 

Do you qualify for a free air monitor and purifier?

If you live in the Portside Communities of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, and West National City you qualify to participate in the PAIR Program Communities to receive a free air monitor and purifier. 

 

How do you sign up?

If you'd like to receive a free air purifier and monitor, call our bilingual PAIR Hotline at 619.603.7758, leave your name, address, and phone number. Supplies are limited.

If you have questions, please contact Laura Benavidez, PAIR Program Community Organizer by email at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. or through our hotline (619.603.7758). Laura is bilingual in English and Spanish. 

 

What do you get?

Air Monitor: IQAir Air Visual Pro

  • Monitors indoor PM2.5, carbon dioxide, humidity, temperature, weather
  • 3-day air quality forecasts and historic air data
  • Recommendations on when to turn on the air purifier
  • No phone/computer required
  • Shows outdoor air quality readings from the closest air regulatory air monitor

Air Purifier: Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto

  • Covers a medium-sized room
  • Filters air 5x an hour
  • “Auto” feature automatically turns the unit on/off when PM levels are high
  • 6-month filter life (when running 24 hrs/day) and includes three extra filters

PAIR Partners

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Juneteenth a Celebration of Freedom

 

More than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed 3 million enslaved people in the U.S, an estimated 250,000 people were still being forced into slavery in Texas. That changed soon after General Granger arrived in the state with his troops.

On June 19, 1865, General Granger delivered General Order Number 3, which read:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."

According to Juneteenth.com, “The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation.” June 19th became a yearly celebration of freedom for black Americans and was dubbed Juneteenth. It is also known as Emancipation Day. Two days short of its 156 years birthday, President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Juneteenth

 In celebration of the emancipation of the more than 3 million enslaved people in the United States, Environmental Health Coalition observes Juneteenth. We also take this moment to remember that it was only 156 years ago that black people were enslaved in our country. While celebrating freedom and all the contributions black Americans have made to the U.S. and the world, we must acknowledge that as a society we have fallen short of equity and equality and reaffirm our commitment to fighting for racial justice.

To learn more about Juneteenth, please visit juneteenth.com. To learn how you can celebrate with your family and friends, or join a celebration, check out the links below.

Happy Juneteenth!

  

How to celebrate Juneteenth:

9 Way to Celebrate Juneteenth in 2021

This Is How We Juneteenth

 

Local Celebrations:

'Say It Loud' Celebrates Juneteenth With Local Black Talent

Oceanside tea shop owner plans Juneteenth celebration Saturday

Cooper Family Freedom Festival - NAACP San Diego Branch

Local Events to Celebrate Juneteenth in San Diego County

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Did you know that June is Healthy Homes Month? 

During this pandemic year, we should be calling it Healthy Homes & Healthy Office Month. For many of us, chances are that your home is also your office. While we have been cleaning and disinfecting to keep COVID-19 away, a healthy home is much more than that.  A healthy home is well-ventilated, dry, clean, safe, pest-free, contaminant-free, well maintained, and thermally controlled.  For most parents, I know it’s been challenging to keep our homes and offices healthy, especially during this pandemic year.

I invite you (and myself ?) to take this Healthy Homes Month to integrate some simple steps to help our homes and office spaces be and feel healthy.

Check out the flyers to learn how to make your home healthy! 

5 Minutes to a Healthier Home Protect Kids From Lead Poisoning CARBON MONOXIDE

Bathroom Safety Slips and Falls  Your Fire Safety Checklist

 

This year’s Healthy Homes theme is The Power of Partnerships. At EHC, we are grateful to all of our partners that we have worked alongside during our 40 years of fighting for Environmental Justice. Thank you partners for your dedication, support, and leadership in keeping our homes safe, healthy, and affordable. Thank you to:

HUD Lead & Healthy Homes Office, San Diego Housing Commission, City of San Diego Environmental Services Department, San Diego City Attorney’s Office, City of National City Housing Authority, City of National City Community Development, MAAC Project Weatherization Program, Campesinos Unidos, Rebuilding Together, Energy Team, La Maestra Community Health Centers, San Ysidro Health Center

We look forward to getting back to our healthy homes visits. They are an opportunity to visit families and share information about healthy homes, conduct a healthy homes assessment, and provide a free kit with resources and tools that families can put to use right away.  As part of our visit, we provide a customized healthy homes plan and may refer families to lead hazard control programs, weatherization services, code enforcement, and/or to our local clinics to support asthma, respiratory illnesses, lead poisoning. It does take a village!  Again, thank you, partners! 

 

What’s your favorite Healthy Homes Tip?

 

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This year's theme, "Healthy Housing for All", highlights the importance of safe and healthy living in your home; no matter where you live. Through emphasizing the importance of home maintenance, this month, HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes seeks to highlight the connection between your internal environment and your health.

This year's National Healthy Homes Month focuses on:

  • Raising awareness of the importance of Home Maintenance and the impact on health.
  • Educating the public about free local resources available.
  • Encouraging implementation of online activities and events in targeted communities.

 

The Eight Principles of a Healthy Home

8 Principles Healthy Home

(Images courtesy of: HUD/NHHM)

Rosa Vaquera lives in Barrio Logan and is a single mother of four children. According to CalEnviroScreen, Rosa’s community ranks in the top 25 percent of census tracts for pollution impact, including a high risk for asthma. Rosa and her daughter Ximena both suffer from asthma. Ximena's is an extreme type of asthma that prevents her from playing outdoors as frequently as other children her age. At the same time, Rosa and Ximena's asthma was also being aggravated indoors.

Maria and Ximena

[Learn how to create a healthy home for your family]


Healthy Homes Assessment

In 2018, Rosa attended a community-based EHC workshop on the air quality and monitoring at Perkins Elementary School. After the workshop, she filled out an intake form expressing interest in a Healthy Homes Assessment, and a possible indoor air filter for her home. An assessment of Rosa's home revealed that she did not open her windows for most of the day. This was mainly because of bad odors and loud noises common in her neighborhood.

The practice of keeping windows shut in her area is more accurately a result of air pollution and living in a neighborhood with an outdated community plan. The 1978 Barrio Logan community plan permits mixed land use zoning, allowing polluting industries and businesses to operate in residential areas, often much too close to homes and schools. Rosa and Ximena live next door to such industries.

During the Healthy Homes Assessment, EHC learned that Ximena would have asthma attacks on a monthly basis, often at night. In an attempt to improve air circulation, Rosa would open windows, but only in the kitchen and not in the living room or children's bedrooms. This created poor air circulation, especially in Ximena’s small, shared room where the window always remained closed. Rosa also regularly hired friends to clean her house when her family was not home due to their extreme sensitivity to toxic cleaning supplies.

Living in a Healthier Home

Rosa has implemented many of the recommendations given to her after EHC's Healthy Homes Assessment. These include having most of the windows open to improve air circulation, use of non-toxic cleaning solutions, and turning on her stove fan while cooking. EHC determined that Rosa's home qualified to receive indoor and outdoor air monitors and a Home IQ Air Filter. Both Rosa and Ximena are breathing much better because of living in a healthier home.

EHC is committed to improving the quality of life in our communities by fighting conditions that expose low-income communities of color to environmental hazards. We want Ximena to grow up healthy with clean air, regardless of where she lives.

June is National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM). This year's theme is Growing Up Healthy: 5 Minutes to a Healthier Home, and it focuses on the opportunity to protect current and future generations of children from the exposures to lead from contaminated paint, dust and soil; through the importance of home assessments and the impact it has on your health.

At EHC, we believe that a home should be a safe and nurturing environment, especially for children. Everyone deserves a healthy home, yet this is not the lived reality for many residents in low-income communities of color. Many homes in San Diego's environmental justice (EJ) communities were built before 1979 and may have lead-based paint hazards in and around the buildings, which can cause permanent brain damage and other serious health problems in children.

Read Rosa and Ximena's story

 

CHECK OUT THESE INFOGRAPHICS FROM NHHM:

NHHM Lead Poisoning      NHHM Pet Friendly


More Infographics

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Here are eight principles of keeping a home healthy (from HUD):

  1. Keep it Dry
    Prevent water from entering your home through leaks in roofing systems, rainwater from entering the home due to poor drainage, and check your interior plumbing for any leaking.

  2. Keep it Clean
    Control the source of dust and contaminants, creating smooth and cleanable surfaces, reducing clutter, and using effective wet-cleaning methods.

  3. Keep it Safe
    Store poisons out of the reach of children and properly label. Secure loose rugs and keep children's play areas free from hard or sharp surfaces. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and keep fire extinguishers on hand.

  4. Keep it Well-Ventilated
    Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens and use whole house ventilation for supplying fresh air to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the home.

  5. Keep it Pest-free
    All pests look for food, water, and shelter. Seal cracks and openings throughout the home; store food in pest-resistant containers. If needed, use sticky-traps and baits in closed containers, along with least toxic pesticides such as boric acid powder.

  6. Keep it Contaminant-free
    Reduce lead-related hazards in pre-1978 homes by fixing deteriorated paint, and keeping floors and window areas clean using a wet-cleaning approach. Test your home for radon, a naturally occurring dangerous gas that enters homes through soil, crawlspaces, and foundation crack. Install a radon removal system if levels above the EPA action-level are detected.

  7. Keep your home Maintained
    Inspect, clean and repair your home routinely. Take care of minor repairs and problems before they become large repairs and problems.

  8. Thermally Controlled
    Houses that do not maintain adequate temperatures may place the safety of residents at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold or heat.


MORE RESOURCES

How to Keep a Healthy Home

Healthy Homes Youth App

 

Blood lead testing

Lead poisoning is the number one environmental health threat to children, and also considered the most preventable.

On June 6, EHC set up to test children’s levels of lead at Birney Elementary School – one of the schools that recently tested high for lead in their water. We tested 63 children and fortunately, did not find any alarming cases and could give parents peace of mind.

Our work to prevent childhood lead poisoning has been a fundamental piece of our organization for many years. With simple tests, grassroots advocacy, increased public knowledge and eventually, statewide regulation, EHC and partners stopped lead contamination in candies several years ago. You can learn more about that victory for our neighborhoods here.

Now, the work continues. Please join us to support a statewide bill that monitors school water for levels of lead (AB 746).

This bill would become a public health victory for our communities by:

  • Ensuring that schools prevent lead in drinking water
  • Protecting children and staff in schools from the health consequences of lead contamination
  • Requiring all public schools to annually test drinking water for lead
  • Standardizing the practice for local educational agencies to notify parents/guardians about lead contamination and shut down the source of lead when it’s identified

If you believe that one child with lead poisoning is too many, please sign this letter and share on social media to tell our elected officials that now is the time to support AB 746.

To learn more about keeping children safe and preventing lead in drinking water, parents should click here.

Since the beginning of my internship with the healthy kids campaign at EHC, I’ve appreciated working in an environment where independence is encouraged and using my voice is expected.

healthy kids 1

My recent attendance at a blood-lead testing event, where neighbors can get screened for lead poisoning, reminded me why we work everyday to build strong leaders for healthy communities.

The event took place in City Heights, a neighborhood I’ve called home for almost 15 years. I watched kids come and go throughout the day to get their blood tested for lead. I met pregnant mothers also getting tested to ensure they and their baby will live long, healthy lives. Passionate parents advocating for a healthy future for their children begins even sooner than I had imagined.

healthy kids 3

healthy kids 4

healthy kids 5

healthy kids 6

At EHC, we talk about leadership as the core of environmental and social justice. If you ever want to see what true leadership looks like, come to our next blood-lead testing event. You’re bound to be inspired by caring parents doing everything they can to lead their kids toward a healthier future.

Gaby
Healthy Kids Intern

A clean-looking home doesn’t always mean a healthy home. Many store-bought cleaners are harmful and full of toxic chemicals that you and your family breathe in long after the cleaning is done. Even though they clean the dirt away, your home might even be less healthy than when you started. Luckily, our Healthy Home Experts have tips to keep your home both clean and healthy with non-toxic cleaning techniques that are often much cheaper than toxic products. Below are some tips from our Healthy Homes experts on toxic-free ways to keep your house clean.

image 39

All-Purpose Cleaner (for spots on linoleum, tile and woodwork)

Ingredient:

  • Murphy’s Liquid Soap
  1. Squeeze a drop of soap on a wet Easy-wipe
  2. Rub the area to be cleaned briskly. An Easy-wipe will last longer and create less waste than a sponge or paper towels. 

Refrigerator

  • Place a small open block or container of baking soda inside the refrigerator to eliminate bad odors

Air Freshener

  • Place small containers of baking soda around your home to absorb bad odors.

Carpet Freshener

Ingredients:

  1. Sprinkle small amounts of baking soda on the carpet.
  2. Let it set for an hour
  3. Vacuum the baking soda up – do not use on wet carpet!

Tub And Sink

Ingredients:

  • Baking soda
  • Murphy’s Liquid Soap
  1. Sprinkle it on porcelain fixtures and rub with a wet rag.
  2. Add a little soap to the rag for more cleaning power.
  3. Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film

Drains

Ingredients:

  • Baking Soda
  • Boiling Water
  • Vinegar
  • Fresh Lemon
  1. This recipe will free minor clogs. Treat your drains on a regular basis to prevent future clogs.
  2. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain first.
  3. Pour half a cup of vinegar into the drain.
  4. Let it fizz for a few minutes.
  5. Then pour one to two quarts of boiling water into the drain.
  6. Repeat if needed. If the clog is stubborn, use a plunger. If very stubborn, use a mechanical snake. Avoid letting fats, oils or grease into the drain to prevent clogs.

To keep drains smelling good, grind thin lemon slices in the garbage disposal. If you do not have a garbage disposal, squeeze the lemon juice into each drain.

Ovens

Ingredients:

  • Baking Soda
  • Water
  • Scrubbing pads
  1. Mix one cup of baking soda with enough water to make a paste.
  2. Apply to oven surfaces and let stand a little while.
  3. Use the scouring pad for scrubbing most surfaces.
  4. A spatula or bread knife is effective to scrape off large food deposits.

This recipe will require extra scrubbing. Clean up spills in the oven after each use or spot clean it regularly. Do not use this on self cleaning ovens. 

Other Helpful Tips

  • Use the spray bottle to hold a mixture of vinegar and water for quick clean-ups in the kitchen and bathroom.
  • Spray the bathtub, shower walls and curtain with vinegar and water to reduce or eliminate mold and soap scum.
  • Keep different colored gloves in the kitchen and bathroom for use only in those areas to avoid spreading germs.

BloodLead event Sept 9 2014 240Last week we partnered with San Diego's Home Safe Home program and the La Maestra Family Clinic to offer blood-lead tests to children and pregnant women.

After spending weeks canvassing the community, educating community members on the importance of lead-poisoning prevention and recruiting families for our free blood-lead testing event, our event turned out to be a fantastic success. We tested more than 100 children and spread awareness about the hazards of lead poisoning and tips for prevention.

BloodLead event Sept 9 2014 234Did you know 75 percent of homes built before 1979 contain some lead-based paint? Lead is most commonly found on exterior-painted surfaces, interior woodwork, doors and windows. EHC recommends children get a blood-lead test every year until age six to prevent blood-lead poisoning.

During the testing, children would often ask, “Why are you doing this?” Engaging in these important conversations about lead poisoning with children as well as parents goes a long way toward fulfilling EHC's goals of awareness and prevention. Get more information about the hazards of lead here, and stay tuned for our next community blood-lead testing event. 
BloodLead event Sept 9 2014 319

 

 

 

 

 

 

safe-routes-to-school-planning-ehcI never thought stop signs would mean so much in my life. Last week I joined the community of Old Town National City in celebrating the inauguration of a safe route to school on Coolidge Avenue. We have been working with residents, the City of National City and other stakeholders to improve the quality of life for almost 10 years; the completion of the Safe Routes to School Program along Coolidge Ave is one of many great things to come to Old Town.

On Thursday, August 14th, the community convened on 16th and Coolidge Avenue and walked together to Kimball Elementary. You could safe-routes-to-school-bike-rack-ehcfeel the joy, pride and sense of accomplishment with every step; the city had heard the community voice and listened. Residents confirmed how proud they were to have been involved in the planning process.

Just two years ago, EHC’s National City Community Action Team audited the Coolidge Avenue using the Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index to identify safety needs and priorities. With this feedback, the city put stop signs at intersections, expanded street corners to slow traffic, created bike lanes and installed bike racks, improvedsafe-routes-to-school-hopscothc-ehc the student pick-up and drop-off area at the school and increase outdoor lighting and shading. 

And on Thursday morning, children and parents alike rejoiced at the improvements along Coolidge Avenue. The completion of this project has brought the community together to ensure their safety walking and biking to school- and the celebratory spirit was contagious.

As we know, the community voice can have a profound impact. The left image below is of the street just one block away from Coolidge Avenue to show what Coolidge looked like before the Safe Routes to School project. On the right is what Coolidge Avenue looks like today. The safe route has crossing pathways, stop signs and defined bike lanes. 

safe-routes-to-school-intersection-ehcsafe-routes-to-school-cross-walk-ehc

 

We have much more to do, but for now let us savor our victories and cherish the profound impact of the united community voice in the creation of healthy neighborhoods for all. 

- Carolina Martinez
EHC policy advocate

 

 

 

 

Can you believe it – it’s already August! You know what that means - Soon the kids head back to school and the days become shorter and cooler. Make the most of the remaining days with a few tips from the Environmental Protection Agency to stay happy, healthy and safe outdoors. bridge

  1. Be sun healthy. Stay in the shade and wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid nasty burns. Remember, the sun is hottest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

  2. Save water. Water your lawn only in the early mornings or late evenings and consider watering every two to three days. Keep use to just one inch per week.

  3. Play responsibly. Enjoy all the sand and surf San Diego has to offer, but make sure to be responsible! Swim safely, wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, watch out for pollution, and always pay attention to the lifeguards.lungtest

  4. Be aware of pollution. Pay attention to pollution in your community; Use the EPA’s tool to know where the air, water or land pollution is heaviest in your community and avoid those areas if possible. 

  5. Lower your energy use. Use energy star appliances to lower your energy use and save on your electricity bill.

  6. Stay cool. In the car, stay cool at low speeds by rolling down the windows; stay cool at high speeds by using the AC.

  7. Breathe right. Monitor air quality through apps like AirNow’s Air Quality Index to make sure you aren’t breathing toxic pollution.

Please share these tips with your friends, family and neighbors and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Warm(er) weather, setting our clocks forward an hour, more daylight in the evenings and more pollen in the air: Spring is here. And with spring often comes spring cleaning, a yearly ritual where we revamp our homes by decluttering, dusting and buying every cleaning supply in stock. But many store-bought cleaners are actually harmful and full of toxic chemicals that you and your family breathe in long after the cleaning is done. Set a new tradition in your family with easy, hand-made and toxic-free products.

image (39)With these tips from our Healthy Homes Experts, you don't have to worry about your loved ones breathing toxic chemicals and you can have the cleanest, healthiest home possible. 

  • Buy non-toxic cleaning ingredients. Combinations of vinegar, baking soda, lemon, salt and dish soap can get the job done.
  • Declutter.Clutter makes excellent hiding places for unwanted guests such as mice, roaches and spiders. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to clear the unnecessary items taking up space in your home. 
  • The kitchen.
    • Kitchens accumulate tremendous grease which becomes a food source for roaches. Mix baking soda, salt and dish soap together to make a great grease-cutting cleaner.
    • Clean the garbage disposal with a cut up lemon, salt and a few ice cubes to get rid of any residue or lingering smell.
    • Eliminate odors from the trash can by pouring baking soda into the can before replacing the plastic trash bag.
  • The bathroom.
    • High humidity in the bathroom causes black spots and mold around the shower area. To prevent this from building up, keep a spray bottle of a water and vinegar solution underneath the sink and spray the infected areas. Another solution is to open the windows (if possible) or keep a ventilation fan on for five to ten minutes after a shower. 
    • Clean the toilet bowl with baking soda instead of bleach.
    • Rub a lemon on water stains in the shower to make them disappear. 
  • The living and dining room.
    • In these rooms, focus on cleaning your windows, furniture, carpet, floors and curtains with a non-toxic solution made of vinegar, dish soap and water mixed in a spray bottle. This solution works like magic with dust around window sills and for removing stains on carpet or furniture.

Happy spring cleaning, everyone!

 

Valentines Day is upon us, and so are candies, chocolates, flowers, nice dinners, you name it. But before you fall head over heels into this holiday, learn how to protect your loved one, partner, girlfriend, parents and children from the hazards of lead. We know, it may seem like that last thing you want to think about on a day like today, but lead can be found in certain candy and make-up - two things not uncommon on Valentines Day. lipstick

CANDY
While most candies don't contain lead, there are still a few that do (mostly candies exported from other countries). This happens when the lead in the candy wrapper leaches into candies containing tamarind and chile because of the acid in the ingredient. This Valentines day, instead of taking a risk with candy, buy alternative loving gifts such as flowers or a card.

Click here for a list candies with unsafe lead levels.

More so than adults, children are most susceptible to lead poisoning. EHC conducts outreach in low-income communities to identify and eliminate sources of lead poisoning. Please call today if you want to a home lead test, and learn more about lead poisoning in children here.

MAKE-UP
Ladies, check your lip gloss. Recently, many popular lipsticks and glosses have been found to have traces of lead and up to eight other toxic metals including titanium, copper and nickel, to name a few. Questions are now being raised about the long-term effects of daily metal intake via these beauty products. Make sure the lip products you use aren't on the list of 20 lipsticks containing the most lead.

You can also try this personal test on your own lipsticks to make sure they are safe to use.

1. Put some lipstick on your hand
2. Use a gold ring to scratch on the lipstick
3. If the lipstick color changes to black then you know it contains lead
4. Share this information with your girlfriends, wives and female family members

To avoid the risk of absorbing any lead, stick with a non-candy gift and ladies, go au-natural. Happy Valentines Day, from EHC!

The only thing better than happy holidays are happy, healthy holidays. Follow these simple steps and head into a toxic-free 2014. holiday fireplace

  • Gift a bucket with non-toxic, multi-purpose cleaning products so your friends can keep their homes clean without using harmful chemicals.
  • Gift toys that do not have lead-based paint - check the label to find out!
  • Use a space heater to heat your home instead of your stove.
  • Make an appointment with the local utility company to check you gas heater or gas appliances - it's a free service.
  • Invest in a carbon monoxide detector and install it in your home.
  • Check and/or change batteries on your smoke detector.
  • If you are going to use a chimney and burn wood, make sure you take the proper precautions.
  • Do not leave candles unattended.
  • Develop and discuss a fire evacuation plan with all family members.
  • Turn your holiday lights off each night before bed.

Safe seasons greetings, everyone!

LETTY NBC LEAD

What makes a healthy home in San Diego? Our team would tell you reducing energy costs and making your home toxic-free is a fantastic place to start. But how? 

Silvia León, an EHC Healthy Homes advocate, visits homes door-to-door and educates residents on the small changes in daily habits that can have an enormous impact on health and the environment with less reliance on polluting power plants, lowered instances of child respiratory illnesses and cleaner air.

León brings with her simple tool kits coined "Healthy Homes kits", which contain: 

  • efficient light bulbs that provide immediate savings
  • a timer for the shower to help people understand hot-water consumption
  • fridge and stove thermometers to help tell when an appliance needs an adjustment or to be traded in

Her home visits teach families how to read and comprehend their energy meters and bills, provide customized room-by-room energy savings action plans and track energy and gas consumption.

One resident working with León, Jerry Guzman, saw drastic reductions in his energy and gas use. Living in a four-bedroom house with his family, prior to the education program they were using about 977 kilowatt-hours of energy a month. After going through EHC's program, they reduced their energy use by 36 percent.

"Prior to EHC working with my family, we had no idea about the easy ways to save energy," Guzman said. "Now I know how to read my energy bill and can better track my family's energy usage."

Results like the Guzman family saw were common among most families that León visited. León says that saving money motivated families as well as the desire to reduce demand of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions – helping to combat climate change and air pollution often seen in their communities.

In addition to putting their energy savings toward other things, such as school supplies or family activities, the major takeaway from this community work is the family's commitment to applying their new habits over the long term as they understand their role in protecting the health of their home, neighborhoods and the planet.

To evaluate your own energy usage, conduct a home energy assessment or Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. today.

 

Although we use pesticides to get rid of unwelcome home guests, they are toxic to both the intruders and the people who live there, especially children. The use of pesticides indoors is extremely risky considering ventilation in most homes is relatively poor and people spend many hours a day at home, breathing these chemicals in long after they've been used.

pesticides

Pesticides are not the only way to control pests in your home. Follow the toxic-free pest control method and protect your family without the use of pesticides!

1. Use preventive methods first: Start by sealing food in tight-fitting containers, not letting dirty dishes pile up, taking the trash out regularly, groom pets and routinely sweep and vacuum.
2. Monitor your pest population to discover when, why and where they come from: Look in drawers, along walls and under the kitchen sink for their droppings or trails.
3. When preventive measures are not providing enough control, use the least toxic methods.

Depending on which pest is giving you a problem, there are several different options.

Ants: Diatomaceous earth (look for the garden grade, not the pool grade) is a dehydrating powder that kills insects on contact. Sprinkle it in carpets or around doors and windows.

Fleas: Effective control of fleas requires an organized plan with attention to fleas in the carpet, on the animal and in the yard. Soap and water traps for flea control in the house are extremely effective. In recent years, new products are available over the counter or from a veterinarian for use directly on pets such as Frontline Top Spot, Revolution or Advantage. Experience shows animals tolerate these well, but they aren't entirely non-toxic so keep them away from small children. For outdoors, an insecticidal soap product can be used to discourage flea growth in your yard.

Cockroaches: Boric acid is a moderately toxic, noncorrosive powder found in many commercial brands (look for 99% boric acid) carried in hardware stores and garden centers. Sprinkle it in cracks and crevices and behind furniture. IT IS TOXIC BY MOUTH: do not put it where children and pets can get to it.

Termites: Termite exterminators currently rely on Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride) for whole house fumigation and Dursban (chlorpyrifos) for spot treatment – both of which are toxic to the nervous system. EHC suggests removal or repair of infested wood, whole house heat, cold treatment and spot treatment with electricity, limonene or other citrus derivatives. Call EHC for more information on termite control.

Garden Pests (insect and weeds): Adhesive products and traps with sticky barriers are good for catching unwanted garden insects. Soap and water, inorganic dusts and oil spray are also good solutions to eliminate most insects, fungi and weeds.

Pesticides should be a last resort for pest management. Please contact EHC for more specific information on controlling unwanted guests without sacrificing the health of your family members and your home.

Parents, back to school is here --that means summer is coming to an end! Now is the time for your kids to shift back from play time to study time. And, as a parent, you want the very best for your child in everything: education, fun and health.

Have you thought about how clean is the air in your child's school?
Do you know if your child's indoor environment is safe?

One way to improve the indoor air quality in your child's school is to eliminate the use of cleaning supplies with toxic chemicals and use alternative cleaning methods which work just as well without catalyzing asthma and respiratory problems.

Help make your child's classroom bleach free- Ask the teacher NOT to spray chlorine bleach on your the desks, as this causes asthma in young kids. Water, soap and vinegar can replace bleach when cleaning and disinfecting your child's desk. 

Share Environmental Health Coalition's Multi-Purpose Non-Toxic Cleaning Solution with your child's teachers:

1 Spray Bottle
2 Cups of Water
½ Spoon of Liquid Dishwashing Soap
3 Spoons of White Vinegar
Mix all together in a bottle

A few small changes can make your child and their school healthier. Help children breathe easier and get ready for school by staying asthma free. Children with asthma and other respiratory problems will thank you!

Click here for information about green cleaning and safer disinfectants, wall paints, computers, office equipment, and art supplies.

salsa

La respuesta puede ser afirmativa. 

Cuatro de nuestras salsas populares contienen altos niveles de plomo.  El FDA estará trabajando con uno de nuestros aliados (durante nuestra batalla con los dulces) para establecer un nivel seguro para las salsas.  Mientras tanto, por favor de evitar el consumo de estas salsas.

El Pato Salsa Picante
Salsa Habanera
Salsa Picante de Chile Habanero
Bufalo Salsa Clasica

Lea más aquí.


Kids Playing Outside 3As the days get warmer, your kids and your inner child will head outside to enjoy the outdoors! Do you know if your play area is safe for your family? 

Playing outside is great fun and exercise, but dirt around older homes can contain lead. Unfortunately, lead was used in gasoline many years ago and can now be found along our curbs and yards - especially homes near freeways. 

Lead is a heavy metal and a poison to the human body; It is the #1 environmental health threat impacting children under the age of six. Lead poisoning can cause brain damage, hyperactivity, learning disability, and aggressive behavior. Without an identifiable smell or taste, it is up to us to take precautions to protect ourselves.

Here are some tips to keep the kiddos happy and safe!

  • Cover bare soil with grass, mulch, wood chips, stones, bark or gravel to avoid exposure to lead, which may be in the soil.
  • If you have bare soil, it's time to do some planting!
  • If you are planning on making home improvements to the exterior of your house (i.e. repainting), make sure you or your contractor use lead-safe work practices. This includes: safely containing any dust, thus avoiding lead contaminated dust from filtering into indoor of your home. For more information about lead-safe work practices, contact EHC.
  • If you are at a new play area and you do not know if the bare soil is contaminated, tell your kids to stick to the #1 Play Rule: Play in the grass, not in the dirt!
  • When it is time to go inside your home, ask your children to remove their shoes or wipe them off at the doormat.
  • When heading outside to play, be sure to turn off all of your household lights to save energy, save money, and help our planet!

Ten Ways to Be Toxic Free and Energy Efficient: The Spring Cleaning Edition

EHC's Toxic Free Cleaning Kit from Home Safe Home

May is here and Spring is in full force. What better time than now to discuss how your Spring cleaning can help ensure you have a green and healthy home? Here's a list of ten quick and easy tips to be toxic-free and energy efficient with your Spring cleaning:

  1. As a general rule of thumb, try to use non-toxic cleaning products when spring-cleaning. One easy and effective recipe can be achieved by mixing white distilled vinegar, dish soap, and water.

  2. Clean out the dust from your windowsills with this mixture or just plain vinegar.

  3. Toss out unused prescription pills and expired pain medications. With fewer pills lying around, your kids will be safer at home. Questions about disposal? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222

  4. Wash your curtains, and open them up to let in daylight. Longer days mean less use of electric lights. This saves energy costs while eliminating any toxins that can blow onto your curtains from outside.

  5. Clean your light bulbs to conserve energy. Dust can cut light output by as much as 25 percent.

  6. Use baking soda before you vacuum to clean your carpet and area rugs. Spreading baking soda over carpet helps eliminate moisture and odors, absorb dirt.

  7. Get rid of old boxes! Roaches and other pests love them and come summer time, it's their favorite hiding place for lounging around and laying eggs.

  8. Clean your clothes-dryer lint filter after every load. Clogged filters drive up the drying costs and can be a fire hazard.

  9. Clean the burner pans on your stove. When clean, they will reflect heat more efficiently back up to pots and pans.

  10. Clean out food particles from your microwave. Without dust and left over food particles, it will cook food more efficiently.

In addition to this list of toxic-free cleaning tips, EHC can help with more tips and education. EHC also offers Healthy Homes kits which come complete with non-toxic cleaning supplies, roach traps, lead check swabs, and much more. Best of all, these cleaning kits are absolutely free if you qualify and sign up for a Healthy Homes Visit. For more information and help setting up your home for toxic-free cleaning, Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. at 619-474-0220 ext. 163.

blood lead testing king chavez 2013 2On February 26, 2013, EHC, the San Diego Housing Commission and La Maestra Health Center hosted a blood lead testing event for kids at King Chavez Primary Academy. This was our seventh blood lead testing event, testing 79 kids and bringing the total up to 542 for the program since October 2010. The testing events help families know if their children have any levels of lead in their blood and provide education on eliminating lead from their homes.

Blood-lead level testing is important because lead poisoning does not produce physical symptoms. Childhood lead poisoning is a silent disease. We don't see it. We don't smell it. Yet it is hidden in the paint of many of our older homes. There is no safe level of lead exposure.

Blood-lead levels can be detected easily with noninvasive portable blood analyzers. The blood analyzers require only a small pinprick to a child's finger and provide results within three minutes. Families with children who test positive are referred for further medical evaluation.

The blood lead testing events are a part of the "Home Safe Home" program. Visit the San Diego Housing Commission's YouTube channel for a video about the event.  Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. at EHC for more information on future events.

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Winter is officially here, so we should be pro-active in reducing energy use before we turn our heaters and furnaces on. These simple tips will allow us to take control of our energy bills and be more responsible for our energy use. You can save money on utility bills and reduce demand on power plants to decrease greenhouse gasses.
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  1. Layer your windows to keep drafts out and heat in. Use the existing drapes and curtains at night to add layers.
  2. Because winter-time brings more time indoors and less hours of sunlight. When we’re indoors, we should take advantage of natural light available. if you haven’t replaced all of your home’s incandescent bulbs with CFLs yet, make that one of your New Years resolutions. Replacing your bulbs can save 30% on your energy use immediately.
  3. Televisions, DVD players and Cell phones chargers all use energy even when they’re not being used This is called “vampire energy” To stop the Vampire from sucking your energy, use a smart power strip, which completely disconnects some appliances from taking energy from the outlet.
  4. Use a shower timer like this to ensure you take less than five-minute showers and avoid the temptation to take longer, hotter showers in the winter because it's cold. It takes a lot of energy to heat water, so you're paying more for your water bill and your energy bill.
  5. A refrigerator thermometer is helpful to ensure your refrigerator is operating properly. Best operating temperature to help save energy is at 28 degrees. Colder than that can waste energy and warmer than that may indicate that your door seals need to be replaced or you may need a new, more efficient appliance.
  6. One of your best tools is your energy bill. Read your energy bill and track your month-to-month usage and set conservation goals for you and your family. It’s fun to work together to save energy and save on our utility bills.

Happy Holidays everyone! Get outside, have fun and enjoy San Diego. If you have any questions or want information on free energy audits contact us at (619) 474-0220

As part of our Healthy Kids Campaign, EHC won passage of the first state law to ban the sale of lead-contaminated candies which significantly threaten children's health. The lead-free candy law went into effect in 2005.

Unfortunately, the threat of lead in candy still exists in California.

Red Vines Lead Candy

The CDPH sent a warning out last month telling parents and families that makers of Red Vines® Black Licorice  Twists, Family Mix, Mixed Bites and Snaps containing black licorice had lead levels exceeding California standards. The products have been recalled.

EHC asks you to be careful and discard any candy that is on the list below:

• Black Licorice Bar, 2.5 oz.
• Jumbo Black Licorice Hanging Bag, 8 oz.
• Black Licorice Tray, 5 oz.
• Black Licorice Laydown Bag, 7 oz.
• Black Licorice Laydown Bag, 16 oz.
• Black Licorice Jar, 4 lbs.
• Mixed Bites Hanging Bag, 8 oz.
• Mixed Bites Bag, 16 oz.
• Family Mix Laydown Bag, 24 oz.
• Family Mix Laydown Bag, 32 oz.
• Snaps Hanging Bag, 5.5 oz.
• Snaps Theater Box, 4.5 oz.
• Snaps Tin, 12 oz.

Remember to pay attention when buying any products for your children and families and look for EHC updates and information that will help keep you safe from lead poisoning.

You can help EHC with its efforts to continue working on making neighborhoods healthy and lead-free by donating here.

 

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EHC and the San Diego Housing Commission offer free blood-lead testing to help ensure your children are safe from lead poisoning and to let you know if you may have lead in your home.

Exposure to lead-based paint can be harmful to your children. Depending on the age of your home, you may have lead in and around it without even knowing it.

If there is lead in your home, your children may be at risk of breathing or ingesting dust as lead-based paint comes off of your interior and exterior walls, doors and windows.

Our free blood-lead tests are easy and non-invasive and provide results within minutes. If your child tests positive for lead, we’ll refer you to further medical evaluation.

At the event, we’ll have helpful information on how to eliminate lead from your home, including offering fee home inspections and other resources.

Free blood lead testing will be offered on Thursday October 25, 2012 from noon – 4 p.m. at the Neighborhood House Association, 841 41st Street, San Diego, CA 92113. Download our flier with this information. (en español)

EHC is committed to protecting our communities from harmful pollutants like lead. Our efforts in the past include passing a City of San Diego lead ordinance in 2009. We are working to improve the City’s lead ordinance to protect more homes and more families from lead poisoning. Learn more about improving the City’s lead ordinance here.

A World War II-era Linda Vista home being remediated for lead-based paint was the backdrop today for the official presentation of a $2.48 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to the San Diego Housing Commission. It will help SDHC and its partners, that includes Environmental Health Coalition, continue our "Home Safe Home" program, which will test homes for lead-based paint and remove the hazard to protect children from lead poisoning.



This grant will allow 175 additional homes to be tested for lead-based paint hazards, and 135 to be remediated over the next three years. Additionally, four blood testing events reaching 500 low-income children will be held at select schools and communities by Environmental Health Coalition and conducted by La Maestra Community Health Center. The San Diego Housing Commission purchased the blood analyzers through the "Home Safe Home" program.

Additionally, 150 low-income households will receive "Healthy Homes" assessments for such problems as rodents, roaches, dust mites, mold and moisture and poor indoor air quality.


This week, KPBS recognized EHC’s Executive Director Diane Takvorian as its environmental sustainability community hero. 

For more than 37 years, Diane has empowered community members living in low-income neighborhoods of color.

She credits her passion for social justice to her own family’s struggles that stretch back to the early 1900s. Her grandparents survived the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and came to the United States two years later. Diane and her parents lived in Pasadena, where she says she experienced some discrimination because of her ethnic background.

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As the founder and executive director of Environmental Health Coalition, Diane now dedicates every day to ensuring we all know the power of our voice to influence decisions that bring environmental justice to the people that need it most. Diane believes that every person has the right to a healthy and safe place to live, work and play -- and so do we.

Congratulations, Diane.

Want to keep reading about our hero? Click here to see the full story. Want to keep up with Diane? Follow her on Twitter.

Environmental Health Coalition stands in solidarity with the people of Charlottesville and everywhere who stand on the side of justice in the face of hate.

The bigotry, hate and violence by white supremacists in Charlottesville and encouraged by our president, underscores the urgency of our movement for justice and democracy. We know that to combat hate, we have to build long-lasting, sustainable people-powered movements.

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That means growing the power of everyday people to build and defend vibrant and free communities.

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EHC leaders organize every day in the most challenging and dangerous circumstances – from human rights abuses to environmental and public health assaults.

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Living in the most polluted neighborhoods in the San Diego/Tijuana region, our leaders stand up to environmental racism with grace, determination grit and persistence.

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Every year, EHC celebrates our members and leaders at a community picnic. This Saturday, August 19, we will do so again. Kids will play, parents will share stories and we will all be grateful for a moment to enjoy each other.

Community Celebration 2017

This year we will also observe a moment of silence for those we lost in the struggle for justice – those who died, those who were torn from their families by deportation, those who suffer from illnesses and those who live in fear.

We invite you all to join EHC as we celebrate and mourn and restore ourselves to fight again. Please join us.

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SALTA provides community leaders with skill-building training in community organizing, policy advocacy and effective communication.

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From mothers who envision a healthier future for their children, to community advocates that want to gain new tools to be leaders in their own neighborhoods, our SALTA graduates now have the skills necessary to move our region toward environmental justice.

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The 2017 class reminds us that every one of us is a leader, and leadership is best cultivated from the ground up. Congratulations to all our community leaders and graduates – we’re very proud of you and look forward to all that we will achieve together. #IamEJ #YoSoyEJ

Want to keep reading about our leaders? Click here to read more incredible stories.

Alicia Sanchez, a National City resident, came to an EHC community meeting nine years ago to learn about a proposed affordable housing project. She left inspired and determined to make the project a reality. This April, Alicia stood proudly at the grand opening of 201 affordable housing units in her neighborhood.

Every one of us is environmental justice. We may not know what challenges lie ahead, but with your help, our community leaders – our heroes – will be ready. Please donate today.

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June 20 was a very important day – San Diego City Council proclaimed Tuesday, June 20, 2017 as Diane Takvorian Day.

When she was 11 years old, Diane Takvorian, Environmental Health Coalition’s executive director, was asked to interview someone in a career she admired. She chose a social worker. In high school, she got involved in the civil rights movement and by college she was organizing communities.

Diane has been a powerhouse in driving environmental justice for our communities for more than 37 years. She has dedicated her life to shedding light on our most vulnerable neighborhoods with the unwavering belief that everyone should have a healthy and safe place to live, work and play.

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Thank you to everyone who joined us at Por Vida to celebrate and congratulate Diane. If you couldn’t make it, we invite you to make a contribution to EHC and become a member today. Your donation empowers EHC to lift up others to become leaders for environmental justice, just like Diane.

If I had to summarize the SALTA 20-Year Reunion in three words, I would say empowered, united and ready.

The energy at the reunion was powerful. I saw some old and some new SALTA graduates from so many different pockets of our communities. Every person felt engaged in what SALTA has taught us and wanted to share how it helped each of us to develop the leadership tools and refine the qualities we already possessed to become effective leaders. 

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SALTA Community Leaders

I'm of the opinion that SALTA doesn't make leaders --  instead, it helps those of us that are leaders realize what we have within us to create change. It teaches us how to take the appropriate action and gives us the platform to get started. 

Because of SALTA, I feel empowered to lead my community of City Heights toward a happier, healthier and safer future. In doing so, I know I'm not alone, and others like me walk beside me in the fight for environmental justice.

Mahalo, 

Roddy Jerome

City Heights Resident

EHC Board Member

My name is Georgette Gomez.

While many of you may know me as your Councilwoman Elect for District 9, here are a few things you may not know about me.

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I grew up in Barrio Logan.
The culture and the community shaped me into a person passionate about everyone’s right to a healthy community.

I started working at Environmental Health Coalition 13 years ago.
During that time, I have seen hundreds of my friends and neighbors graduate from SALTA, EHC’s leadership training program. I even participated in and facilitated SALTA myself.

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SALTA taught me that leadership comes in all forms and is essential to our communities.
The parents next door who raise their voice about toxic pollution are just as much leaders as city councilmembers. Every person has a story to tell and an individual path to making change. SALTA ignites the power that already exists within them.

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I believe in a future of leaders united for justice.
Right now, you can help EHC build a generation of community leaders committed to healthy, safe and toxic-free neighborhoods.

Donate to EHC today and invest in our future.

My name is Leticia Ayala.

Twenty-one years ago, I graduated from college and moved to San Diego in search of a job that would allow me to serve the Latino community. I found EHC where I discovered my life’s passion of bringing health and smiles to children and their families.

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I was one of the first SALTA graduates.
Hungry to learn more about EHC’s work, I joined SALTA, EHC’s leadership development program. Little did I know that I would become the coordinator of the program a few years later.

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In 20 years, I’ve seen thousands of SALTA graduates reclaim the word “leader.”
Through SALTA, community members learn that you can take action to make your community a healthier place – with or without a title.

Please donate today.

I speak on behalf of past and future SALTA graduates when I say thank you for your contribution to our movement that empowers leaders.

My name is Carolina Gamez and I am 22 years old.

My neighborhood, Colonia Chilpancingo in Tijuana, has struggled with high levels of air pollution for as long as I can remember.

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SALTA, EHC's leadership development program, helped me realize the power of my own voice.
I joined SALTA to learn about the environmental issues in my community, but I got so much more than I bargained for. I found out that all of the inspiring leaders I met had started just like me – as concerned residents looking for change and willing to do the hard work.

Will you empower leaders like me?
SALTA taught me that every good leader listens to the needs and opinions of the people they lead. Your donation shows that you support us and helps us bring environmental justice to us all.

 

My name is Bea Barraza.

I joined EHC 31 years ago for the same reason that I'm still involved today - we lift up leaders. When we make leadership our foundational element, we build a movement with lasting impact.

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We started SALTA to bring leaders to life.

First, we mobilized leaders to tackle household toxics - everyday items that make families sick. Then we targeted public health issues, such as air pollution, with one goal in mind: empower community leaders to stand for their neighborhoods. It worked.

We built a sea of EHC teal.

We were showing up to city council meetings, protests and conferences with droves of community leaders taking leadership into their own hands. I remember looking at the crowd - a unified sea of courageous leaders wearing EHC's teal-colored shirts. It was, and still is, breathtaking.

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We're not done yet.

Your donation empowers EHC to continue building on its foundation of leadership. When you give, you tell our community members that leadership starts in our communities, and that their voice can make justice a reality.

My name is Tuong Bui.

In my Vietnamese-American neighborhood of City Heights, we deeply feel the impacts of climate change. We struggle with poor air quality and limited transportation options. For so long, I didn’t realize that I could do something about it. 

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My community needed leaders, so I became one.

When I graduated EHC’s SALTA leadership training in 2014, I felt empowered to use my voice to change my community for the better. I wanted to protect trees, improve air quality and teach people to save energy in City Heights and beyond. These issues felt massive, but I now have the tools to combat them.

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With a donation today, you can help me build grassroots leadership in City Heights.

Your donation to EHC will open the eyes of community members like me, who don’t realize they have the power to make a difference. Please donate today.

Meet Leticia Ayala, Maria Moya and Tuong Bui. As they experienced environmental injustices firsthand, they turned to EHC's SALTA leadership program where their voices were lifted.

Your continued support helps us build future leaders within our communities of color and ensure the visions of our neighborhoods become a reality. Please donate today.

EHC Empowers Community Leaders

Our communities become #healthyhoods when we unlock our most powerful tool – our voices.

Our leadership training program, SALTA (Salud Ambiental, Líderes Tomando Acción - Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action) does just that, and it has turned hundreds of community members into environmental justice leaders. Last year, SALTA became accessible online for community members to enhance their skills to become the powerful leaders they were meant to be.

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Here are a few reasons why we’re celebrating.

1. Local leadership is at the heart of social and environmental justice.

Community victories come to fruition when local leaders speak up and encourage neighbors to do the same. Last year, after strong demand, we developed this free, online and bilingual curriculum for community members anywhere in the world to turn their skills, passion and vision into action, power and change.

2. We’re sharing our most effective leadership tools with you.

After decades of fine-tuning SALTA with in-person trainings, we’re sharing what we’ve learned to help you use your voice for change. Our training is field-tested and proven, featuring best practices and case studies from real people working to make our neighborhoods healthier. Available for download in English and Spanish, this curriculum builds lasting power in our communities.

3. Our leaders make a difference.

Over the past year, 308 people from around the world downloaded SALTA and learned to be leaders and advocates for safe and healthy communities. Today, we celebrate being one year and 308 people closer to our goal of creating #healthyhoods for all people.

Click here to register and bring SALTA to your community.

La semana pasada se graduaron del SALTA Lideres alrededor de 30 personas en nuestra oficina en Tijuana. La mitad son mujeres residentes de la comunidad, madres de familia que empujan a sus seres queridos cada día para seguir avanzando y creciendo. La otra mitad profesionistas en temas ambientales, activistas, periodistas y gente de toda la ciudad dedicada a buscar sistemáticamente el desarrollo sustentable en la ciudad.

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Estamos felices de haber podido hacer este SALTA en la comunidad del Chilpancingo porque desde el 2007 no habíamos tenido la oportunidad. Pero estamos más contentos porque esto nos conecta. Nos sigue conectando con la comunidad, con los aliados y nos hace más fuertes y con raíces más profundas y extendidas.

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Ahora tenemos la oportunidad de crecer y de seguir las reuniones para seguir trabajando por la Justicia Ambiental en las comunidades que les es más urgente.

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“Ruth Heifetz is really the mother of Environmental Health Coalition. Without Ruth, there would not have been an Environmental Health Coalition. When I think about it, Ruth really changed my life.” – Diane Takvorian

Ruth Heifetz is a co-founder of Environmental Health Coalition and has been a member of the board of directors for 35 years. She is an educator, a doctor and an endless supporter of environmental justice and public health.

We asked her perspective on the organizations transition over 35 years of fighting for environmental justice in the region. Here is a bit of history from Ruth.

What is your relationship with EHC?

I was involved from the very beginning, back when we used to meet at Diane’s house and then operated out of a small storefront that has since been converted to an art gallery or something much more hip. I had been working with the San Diego Committee of Occupational Safety and Health and this was the opportunity to merge occupational health and environmental issues.

It's funny, I can't recall the “ah-ha!” moment when Diane and I first met, but it was due to the work we were both part of, and it clearly happened for a reason.

How has your role at EHC evolved over the past 35 years?

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It’s not so much that my role has changed, but the issues EHC works on have grown and changed.

Our first real action, as I recall it, was related to an empty lot in Southeastern San Diego where toxic waste had been dumped in a residential area. Some of the people who lived there were overcome by the fumes- there was no doubt that it was really toxic. No one really did much about it.

So we went to the County Health Department and kept insisting they do something about it and find out what the toxins were. Slowly and reluctantly - because it was a public health problem – the health department began trying to figure out what was wrong.

This was the beginning of one of our earliest themes, which was the right to know. There had been worker right to know laws, but we wanted to have a community right to know law so people could know what was being produced in the factory next door, or dumped in the vacant lot on their street.

We became one of the first counties to have a community right to know law and this was an extremely important thing. We changed the existing situation and out of that, and out of our leadership in the community, the County Health Department developed its own department of environmental health, and a number of us sat on the early advisory committee for that.

What stands out as a great accomplishment in the last 35 years?

We have many to choose from, but I think one of our greatest accomplishments is the training of our promotoras and the community leaders born from our leadership programs. The first promotora program focused on toxins in the home. This concept grew beyond the home and eventually into the community, where we continue to develop advocates today. I guess I’m just very inspired by that program.

I remember the first group of women who came to our first promotora training. They were leaders in their own community but weren't used to advocating. During our first session, we tried to get each of the women to introduce themselves and they were so shy they couldn't even speak in front of each other. At the end of the ten weeks, nothing could hold them back. You saw this transformation of people developing confidence and becoming even greater leaders in their communities.

EHC has moved with the issues and the concerns but we've always stayed within the environmental justice realm and always stayed within the community.

What do you think is EHC’s biggest strength?

I think the amazing success of EHC has to be attributed to the people who have been involved. One of our strengths is that a number of staff and some of our organizers and volunteers have been around for a very long time, including myself. In most organizations people come and go but EHC still has its founding members doing work in the community.

I also think Diane is quite amazing. With her skills and what she's accomplished she clearly could have moved on to a national level, but she's such a dedicated grassroots person. We've been incredibly fortunate to have that sustained leadership.

How would you describe EHC to another person?

To me, it would depend a lot on that person. Right now, the issue of climate change is so crucial, so I would try and get them interested in that aspect of our work. I would let them know that the people most impacted by climate change are the people we largely work with; the poorest people and the people with least resources.

In general, I would tell someone interested in EHC that we work in communities where people and toxics mix in an unhealthy way and that our work makes communities safe for people to live, work and play.

To donate to EHC, please click here.
To watch a video honoring Ruth’s contributions to EHC and the community, please click here.

Letty Ayala

Leticia Ayala (middle) has worked with Environmental Health Coalition for close to 20 years, spearheading the organization’s work to raise awareness about lead in homes and candies and help residents live toxic-free lives. We asked Leticia about her time at EHC, and this is what she recollected.

When and why did you begin working with EHC?

I remember the exact date. It was February 6, 1995, and I wanted to be of service to a non-profit in my community.

What was the organization like in 1995?

Fun! We were a small group but totally dedicated die hards.

What was your role when you first began?

At the beginning I was the office manager. Now I’m the director of the Healthy Kids campaign. But my favorite title ever was given to me from the Union-Tribune as “Co-Worker of Laura Hunter.” We got a good laugh out of that.

Share a milestone that stands out to you.

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I see our lead-free candy work as one of our biggest accomplishments. It began in one of our Healthy Kids Community Action Team meetings and was truly a grassroots effort. EHC and partners spearheaded the early 2000s movement to regulate lead levels in candy. After a thorough investigation, lawsuit and a statewide law, California now requires candy manufacturers operate within strict legal standards and undergo regular audits to ensure compliance.

As a result, candy sold in stores today has been tested for lead levels and certified as lead free.

It is a true a Latino public health victory, and I'm so proud to have been spearheading this amazing part of EHC history. Today children are eating candies, not poison. The burden on children and parents has been lifted and we can all enjoy our candies and piñatas the way we should.

If you had to describe EHC to someone new, what would you say?

I would tell them we are a bi-national community organization making a big difference in bringing about a healthy, toxic-free environment for our children, families and all living on mother earth. Everyone and everything matters. Si se puede!

To donate to EHC today, please click here.
To learn more about Leticia's work, click here.

Laura Hunter

Laura Hunter (far left) spearheaded EHC’s work for more than 20 years to clean up the San Diego Bay. Her dedication, determination and drive for environmental justice in our communities has inspired many. We asked Laura to tell us more about her time working with EHC, and this is what we heard.

When did you begin working with EHC, and why?

It’s quite interesting because 20 or more years ago, I used to be a professional musician. I remember driving to the symphony and feeling so depressed by the time I got there after seeing the air pollution and the bad homes in certain neighborhoods. I knew something was very wrong, and I wanted to do something, so I began volunteering at the organization my friend recommended as the best in town –EHC.

That was great, but it wasn’t enough.

I wanted to do something more. I almost applied to law school, but before I did I found out EHC had a job opening for director of its clean bay campaign. I applied and by some miracle, was hired.

I would say I quickly found out the greatest difference between being a musician and an activist: when you’re a performing artist you walk in the room and everyone loves you. As an activist, you walk in the room, and it’s the opposite.

Why did you stay with EHC for so long?

I feel like this organization saved my life. It was the perfect place for me because it turns out civil rights and environmental justice were true passions of mine, and I didn’t even know it until I began working with EHC. I get chills thinking of what my life would have been if I hadn’t found Diane Takvorian and EHC.

Can you describe the early days?

My first office was in the conference room, and Diane was in an office the size of a tiny closet. The organization shared one computer, and we had big floppy disks. I worked on the clean bay campaign for close to 20 years, where my role focused on water and land pollution in and around the bay.

What are you most proud of from your time at EHC?

I think I’m most proud of stopping the methyl bromide fumigation plant and fighting for the cleanup of many sediment contamination sites in the San Diego Bay that continues today.

Mostly, I’m proud of us because we did the hard stuff.

We never did any of the easy things. Everything we did was very, very hard. I’m proud that we existed in that environment and did the effective work, not the easy work. But the whole struggle was really beautiful.

How would you describe EHC to someone who knew nothing about the organization?

These are principled change makers. If you want something to change, or improve, this is the organization that has all the tools. They’re smart, credible, principled and perhaps most importantly, you can trust them with something as important as your community and our environment. You can trust them.

To donate to EHC today, please click here.

Bea Barraza

Beatriz Barraza has been with EHC for nearly 30 of its 35 years. She is currently serving as chair of the fund development committee. We asked Bea about her time at EHC. This is what she had to say.

Describe EHC when you began.

I began working with EHC in 1987, after I met Diane in my fitness class. I brought a petition to stop the Navy Development in Florida Canyon that was going on at the time, which got Diane and I talking about my dedication and deep-rooted passion for public health issues. When she told me about what EHC was doing to help local, low-income communities, we clicked instantly. I have since been an active long-time supporter and board member.

Why did you choose to be part of EHC?

EHC fights for social and environmental justice. I was inspired by EHC’s work in communities exposed to pollution and chronic illness like asthma, heart problems, skin diseases and many other preventable illnesses.

What excites you most about being involved with EHC?

The most exciting thing is our companionship with and dedication to the Latino and southern San Diego communities. EHC works hard for the communities that need environmental justice most - such as National City, City Heights, Barrio Logan and Tijuana - and then reaches out to work with the community directly.

Share a milestone that stands out to you.

Wow. There are many inspirational milestones and achievements to mention, but the one that most of us can relate to is the first SALTA graduation. It was such a tremendous victory to see the promotora model in action. I was so glad to have had a role in developing it. And now, nearly 20 years later, over 2,000 residents have graduated. It’s truly astonishing.

To donate to EHC today, please click here.
To learn more about Bea, click here.

Thirty-five years ago, a small group of health, environmental and civil rights advocates created EHC. At that time, community members didn't know about the toxins in our neighborhoods, but we did know that people have the right to be informed and empowered to transform our communities.

Every day since 1980, EHC has fought for environmental justice. Our successes have only been possible because of you. Thank you for believing in us and helping us look forward to our next 35 years.

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Amelia Simpson (far right) has worked as the border environmental justice campaign director and grant writer for EHC since 2002. We asked her about her 13-year-and-counting journey with the organization. This is what she had to say.

What was EHC like when you began?

I started as EHC's Border Environmental Justice Campaign director. Magdalena, now the director, was the community organizer at the time, and she did an amazing job. She organized our Tijuana Community Action Team - there were two groups at first that called themselves "los grupos de Nena [Magdalena]."

Soon after I came on, we rented a little house in Colonia Chilpancingo and turned it into a meeting space. They chose the new name Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental. Most of the same women are still active today along with many new women. Many of their daughters and sons are in the Jóvenes Pro Justicia Ambiental Youth Group organized by Aníbal.

They're the next generation of environmental justice activists in Tijuana.

What brought you to work with EHC?

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I was working as a Mexico specialist with Amnesty International when I heard about EHC's opening for a director in the border region. I saw EHC as an organization that defended human rights in Mexico, like Amnesty, and I was very happy to be hired.

What do you enjoy most about working with EHC?

The most exciting thing is having the opportunity to be with the community; the opportunity to get to know people, hear their stories and work together to make changes that truly matter.

Do any milestones stand out most to you?

The campaign to clean up the American-owned Metales y Derivados maquiladora assembly plant was a tremendous achievement for the community. Not only was the neighborhood protected at last from the dumping of 42,000 tons of toxic waste, but the effort also brought together supporters from both sides of the border, including community residents and government agencies. This was an unprecedented collaboration to address a serious human rights violation.

To donate to EHC today, please click here.

2014 Holiday photoAs we launch a new year I want to thank you for the incredible work you do for environmental justice. EHC is an amazing team of board, staff and community leaders and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with all of you and I am inspired by you every day.

As I think about the coming year and my own new year's resolutions I'm reminded (again) of Don Miguel Ruiz's Code for Life – The Four Agreements - which seems like a good way to start the new year!

  • Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
  • Don't take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
  • Don't make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
  • Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Happy New Year!

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Congratulations are in order for latest graduates of our SALTA leadership-training course. SALTA (Salud Ambiental, Líderes Tomando Acción – Environmental Health, Leaders Taking Action) is a nine-session program that provides skills training on organizing, advocacy, power, and media relations. Since 1995, more than 1,500 Community Leaders have graduated from SALTA including EHC staff members Rodrigo, Tuann, Aurora, Maria Sagura and Monique.

This SALTA course is the first ever to be taught in three different languages: English, Spanish and Vietnamese. 

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“Each time I facilitate a SALTA session I am amazed and inspired by the community leaders who attend. This session was no different,” says SALTA facilitator Sarah Furman. “These women and men take hours out of their lives each week to learn how to make their communities healthier and more united - something that doesn't go unnoticed by EHC staff and members. Because of these community leaders we continue to be a strong voice and force in the San Diego region, improving our communities one action at a time.”

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Student and EHC staff Aurora Zabish was equally inspired, "I liked seeing that there are people in the community that care enough about their communities to participate in a training like this." 

Associate Director Leticia Ayala comments, “SALTA empowers community members by sharpening their skills as leaders and organizers. With those abilities developed, we can take action to build power and win justice in our neighborhoods so that our communities are a clean and healthy place to live, work and play.

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But SALTA is not just a leadership-training course. It is also designed to motivate community leaders to take strong and direct action for environmental justice. Ayala says, “One of SALTA’s key goals is to help all residents to see themselves as community leaders and then make a pledge to join our cause. They can use their own power and the power of their communities collectively to move and influence decision makers. After SALTA, these leaders can create the real change we all want in our neighborhoods.”

Your passion for environmental justice made Barrio Live! a wonderful event. The afternoon began with a fully packed bus and a guided tour to environmental justice sites around San Diego.

barrio live 2014 busFirst we first stopped in National City to see where the community will get 201 affordable housing units and easy trolley access without destroying Paradise Creek and this beautiful open space.

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We drove through the Port of San Diego to learn how pollution directly affects air quality and asthma rates of children in neighboring communities and how we can work together to make the Port a healthy neighbor.

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We got off the bus in Cesar Chavez Park to hear Policy Advocate Kayla Race explain how low-income communities feel the most significant impacts of climate change. Kayla says, "This is about reducing pollution while creating healthy communities and a healthy economy."

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The tour ended at Strozzi’s SoCal Italian with almost fifty attendees and staff enjoying appetizers, drinks and each others’ company.

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David Alvarez joined the party to talk about how, with the help of EHC and dedicated community members, Barrio Logan will continue to move forward building safe and healthy neighborhoods, beginning with a Barrio Logan Community Planning Group.

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Thank you to all who attended our Barrio Live! tour and mixer. We appreciate your involvement and enthusiasm in achieving climate justice and #healthyhoods for all.

View more photos of the tour on our Facebook page.

sid voorakkara and rafael castellanos for port commissionThe San Diego City Council will be choosing two new City appointed members to the San Diego Port Commission today. EHC's 30 years of working with with the Port and representing our members who live in communities adjacent to the Port tidelands gives us an important perspective on these appointments. Port Commission decisions have a direct impact on the health and well-being of all residents who live near the San Diego Bay.

EHC supports appointments of Sid Voorakkara and Rafael Castellanos to the Port Commission. Mr. Voorakkara's considerable experience in job creation and public health make him uniquely qualified to ensure the Port acts consistent with community health. Mr. Castellanos' expertise in real estate transactions will be invaluable to ensure more green and sustainable business practices at the Port.

We believe San Diego Port Commissioners should have experience in green practices so that the Port grows and operates in a way that protects the health of neighboring community residents. They must have a commitment to public and worker health and safety, protecting San Diego Bay, and to making the Port a regional leader in energy policy.

Specifically, the community is looking to the Port to support projects and planning to offset negative impacts of Port operations on neighbors in Barrio Logan and passage of an effective Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan. These actions are crucial to meeting environmental and health goals of an exemplary Port. Sid and Rafael should surely be in line with these goals.

EHC opposes the appointment of Richard Vortmann based on the legacy of pollution he was responsible for as the President of NASSCO for over 20 years. During Mr. Vortmann's tenure, NASSCO fought efforts to clean up toxic sediment and fought regulation of water and air pollution from its leasehold without consideration of the impacts on the health of neighboring communities. His legacy is not one that the City Council should allow to be continued at the Port.

We’ve said time and time again, and I’m sure you’ve heard from everyone else, that this election is one of the most important elections in many years. Sure, we can all make the statement, but where are the facts?

We’ve got them right here.

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EHC’s map shows the influence of our communities of color. A majority of communities south of I-8 have a majority of voters of color.

For instance, in the City of San Diego, 63% of voters of color live south of I-8, while in National City, 68% of all voters are voters of color.

These facts and our map show that if voters in our communities get out and vote on Election Day, we can be the margin of victory to pass propositions and elect a mayor that foster healthy communities. 

With that in mind, we ask you to please get out and vote and use our EHC Voter Guide to ensure your vote protects the health of your family and community. We only support state propositions that support healthy communities, clean air and environmental quality.

Our EHC staff and community members put together a message for voters out there, young and old, to encourage everyone to participate in this election. Watch, vote and tell us you voted on our Facebook Page. Show our region that the communities of color south of I-8 are the margin of victory and should be considered as some of the most powerful communities in San Diego.

 

 

 

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El día de las elecciones es el martes, 6 de noviembre. La EHC está trabajando arduamente para que nuestras comunidades voten. Aquí están algunos consejos para ayudarle el día de las elecciones:

1. Lea acerca de las propuestas y los candidatos. La EHC tiene una Guía para Votantes, y lista las propuestas estatales que apoyamos para continuar con nuestra misión de mantener a nuestras comunidades y medio ambiente saludable.

2. Conozca su lugar de votación. Si aún no sabe cual es su lugar de votación, visite el Registro Electoral de San Diego para averiguarlo. También recuerde que los lugares de votaciones estarán abiertos de las de las 7:00 a.m. a las 8:00 p.m. Haga los arreglos necesarios para asegurarse de tener suficiente tiempo para ir a votar.

3. Asegúrese de contar con cuidado de niño y ayude a cuidar los niños de sus amistades.

4. Conozca sus derechos. Todos los votantes tienen derechos. Por ejemplo, si usted no está en la lista de votantes registrados o si alguien le pide su identificación para votar, usted tiene opciones. Antes de ir a votar, lea los derechos de los votantes del Estado de California.

5. Usted puede llevarse una muestra de la boleta con la lista de los candidatos impresos a las urnas. También puede llevarse una lista de respaldos, siempre y cuando no incluya anuncios de campañas.

6. Si necesita ayuda para votar, a usted se le permite llevar a un miembro de su familia, un amigo(a) o a su cuidador con usted en las urnas para que le ayude.

7. Si no está seguro(a) de algo que está en la boleta, pida ayuda de un empleado de las elecciones. Que no le de vergüenza pedir ayuda.

8. No se sienta apurado. Tómese su tiempo cuando entre a las urnas.

9. Prepárese para esperar en línea. Es muy probable que en algunos lugares tenga que esperar en línea para votar.

Recuerde que si tiene preguntas puede comunicarse con la EHC llamando al (619) 474-0220 o puede enviarle un correo electrónico a Franco al Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. para mayor información. Asegúrese de ir a votar y de animar a los demás para que también salgan a votar.

 

solargrovewebAfter digging into recent statewide polling from the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV), EHC found that more San Diego Latino voters support environmental initiatives including renewable energy and protecting the environment to create jobs than the rest of California.

Our Latino population in San Diego County is growing. That also means we have a growing number of environmentally conscious voters that can make big impacts in the upcoming election.

The statewide data show this about San Diego Latino voters:

  • 94% agree that we can protect the environment and create jobs
  • 82% consider themselves “conservationists”
  • Over 90% support energy conservation and renewable energy
  • Over 80% feel that pollution is threatening their family’s health

These results show that our communities will have an overwhelming voice in how the environment is considered at the polls this election.

We already knew this. Our Voter Empowerment team and our Community Action Teams meet and talk with community members on a regular basis. We’ve been doing this work for over 30 years. Here’s what else we know - no matter where you live, how much you make or what color your skin is, we should all care about clean air, water and energy in our neighborhoods – especially at the ballot box.

Because we know our communities care about the health of their neighborhoods and environment, every person at EHC is working around the clock to educate voters and get them out to vote. We’re making sure “environmentally friendly” is the magic word voters think about when they’re making choices on November 6.

Please make sure you get out to vote on November 6 and check out the EHC Voter Guide for info on propositions we support. Your Vote. Your Voice.

 McGovern3Yesterday, former presidential candidate and Senator, George McGovern died at the age of 90. McGovern will be remembered for his compassionate values and his fight for a better quality of life for everyone.

 

In the midst of our current contentious election we've lost this great leader who gave his life to social justice and human rights and who said on many occasions: “I will go to my grave believing that the country would have been better off if I had been elected instead of Richard Nixon.”  It was not an immodest statement – merely factual for anyone who then lived through the continuation of the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and assaults on civil rights.   

 

I volunteered for the McGovern presidential campaign that year in 1972. By the time I returned home from precinct walking and poll watching on election night, it was all over. McGovern had only won in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. It was considered the worst presidential election loss in history.  But, despite the loss, an entire generation of activists was inspired to keep working for justice. This was my first time to be highly involved in a political campaign, starting my future fighting for healthy communities. 

 

Today we have a new generation of activists working to elect leaders, who share McGovern’s passion for justice for all people. Our current generation of young people, families, moms, dads, are all continuing to fight for some of the same things that were fought for in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Summarizing his views on many issues in his 2011 book, the last of twelve written, he said, “Be compassionate. Put government to work to help the less fortunate. End hunger. Spend more for education. Protect the environment.”

 

Let’s show our compassion for our neighbors and communities and work hard until November 6 on today’s campaign, 40 years after McGovern’s devastating loss. We cannot look back on this election as a lost opportunity – let’s recommit ourselves in these last days to elect candidates who will carry on his legacy.

 

Si se puede!

i voted stickerDid you know that the last day to register to vote is October 22? Or, that you don’t have to have an I.D. in order to cast your vote?

It’s very important that you know your voting rights before you go to the polls on November 6, because unfortunately, not everyone is aware of them.

It’s been said before, but this election is one of the most important in our history as a community and an environmental justice organization. EHC would like you to go to the polls feeling excited that you’re doing your part as a citizen – and comfortable knowing the rights you have as a voter. EHC is working hard to make sure that everyone who can vote does vote, because our communities are key to supporting environmental justice in San Diego.

For instance, you may not know what to do if you show up to your polling place and find that you’re not on the voter list. What are your options?

  • First, ask the poll worker to check again. There are a lot of names on that list, so a quick double check is always helpful.
  • Secondly, call the voter registrar to make sure that this is the correct polling location for you. This just takes a few minutes by calling 1-800-345-VOTE (8683).
  • Finally, ask for a “provisional” ballot. This allows you to vote at any location, so long as you’re a registered voter.

Additionally, here are a few key dates you should know about before the election:

  • October 22, 2012 at midnight is the last opportunity to register to vote in the November 6 election. If you haven’t registered or don’t know if you’re registered, you can do this online at www.sdvote.com.
  • October 30, 2012 is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot, which allows you to send in your ballot through mail, if you’d rather not go to the polls.
  • November 6, 2012 is election day. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. You can find your polling place at www.sdvote.com.

Check out the ACLU of San Diego’s Voter Rights Guide to follow simple instructions to help you make a difference on November 6 or download the Voter Rights Postcard.

For more in-depth information, visit the ACLU of California’s Voter Rights page.

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We have a vision. We bring our voices to the polls to ensure that vision prevails, to resist oppression and to engage in the most powerful demonstration of our collective strength as communities of color.

Thank you for joining us on April 19 to celebrate our dedication to civic engagement and shifting the culture of voting at our 2018 Annual Awards Celebration: United to Vote.

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We kicked off #UnitedToVote with an intimate conversation with Mustafa Santiago Ali, senior VP of the Hip Hop Caucus, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) senior advisor for environmental justice and our environmental justice champion awardee.

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Mustafa spoke about the necessity for action to achieve environmental justice and the power we have when we come together. He reminisced about his young days as environmental justice was just beginning to earn attention at the national level and how the movement has grown to become more important than ever. 

"Our vote translates into power, and sometimes we forget that," he told us.

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Afterward we were joined by more than 400 of our allies in the environmental justice and civic engagement movement. With our incredible keynote speaker Senator Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore and San Diego City Councilwoman Georgette Gomez, we recognized our 2018 awardees:

  • Mustafa Santiago Ali - Environmental Justice Champion Award
  • Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher - Spirit of Justice Award
  • National City Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo-Solis - Spirit of Justice Award
  • National City Councilwoman Mona Rios - Spirit of Justice Award
  • California Environmental Justice Alliance - Building Power Award
  • Engage San Diego - Building Power Award

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Twitter buzzed with #UnitedToVote inspiration throughout the evening as our guests chronicled their favorite moments. 

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It will take all of us to change the culture of voting. Thank you for helping us celebrate the trailblazers at the local, state and national level championing environmental justice and the right of all people to have a safe and healthy place to live work and play. 

See you next year!

Annual Awards Celebration
UNITED TO VOTE
Thursday, April 19, 2018 - 5:30-8:30PM at the Jacobs Center 


2018 – an election year like no other.
Let’s celebrate the power of voting and our vision of justice.

Join us and be inspired. For tickets click here

EVENT ATTENDEES - What to expect

Location: The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation  - 404 Euclid Ave, 92115.  

For Directions click here 

SCHEDULE

5:30PM - Outdoor reception with live music, beer from Stone Brewery, organic CA wine from Quigley Fine Wines, and a delicious meditterranean dinner (self-serve vegetarian dinner from 5:30 - 6:50PM)

7:00PM - Program begins in Celebration Hall

8:00PM - Coffee and Dessert in Celebration Hall

8:30PM - End of event


Keynote: Senator Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore-designee

Guest Speaker & Awardee: Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior VP, Hip Hop
Caucus; former EPA Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice

 

AWARDEES

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-FletcherSpirit of Justice Award

National City Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo-Solis - Spirit of Justice Award

National City Councilwoman Mona Rios - Spirit of Justice Award

Mustafa Santiago AliEnvironmental Justice Champion Award

California Environmental Justice AllianceBuilding Power Award

Engage San Diego -  Building Power Award

 

Awardee Information:  click here

Sponsorship Information: click here

For event or sponsorship questions, please email Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. 

Passion is contagious. Don't miss our 2018 Awards Celebration: United to Vote with keynote speaker Senator Toni Atkins as we recognize the following environmental and social justice leaders.

With limited seating and a history of selling out, be sure to buy your tickets today

Mustafa Ali Awardee

Mustafa Santiago Ali: Environmental Justice Champion Award

Ali has worked to alleviate the impact of air, water and industrial pollution on vulnerable communities across the nation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 24 years. He was instrumental in developing the U.S. EPA Office of Environmental Justice and sent a strong message to the current administration upon his resignation in March 2017.

 

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Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher: Spirit of Justice Award

As the first Latina in California history to chair the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the first woman and person of color elected CEO and Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, she has championed the needs of our community with state legislation that set national precedents. Her leadership has resulted in protection for children from lead in water at schools; supported women by combatting sexual assault; and fought climate change by expanding urban tree canopy. In 2017, she lead the passage of AB 805, that reforms SANDAG and enables transportation justice efforts to grow rapidly.

 

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Councilwoman Ale Sotelo-Solis - Spirit of Justice Award

As Councilwoman of National City, her efforts have had enormous benefits, especially through her tireless work to ensure a historic Westside Specific Plan to protect both community health and business and her leadership that resulted in 201 new and affordable homes for National City residents. At the state level, her advocacy to gain adoption of California’s first environmental justice element requirement is unparalleled.

 

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Councilwoman Mona Rios - Spirit of Justice Award

We applaud her lifetime work and to transportation justice as Councilwoman of National City. Rios’ tireless work to ensure passage of AB 805 is enabling transportation efforts to grow rapidly, particularly in transit-dependent communities. Her commitment as Vice Chair of Metropolitan Transit System is a momentous opportunity for a regional reset to transit and clean air, especially in the South Bay.

 

CEJA logo header California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA)  - Environmental Justice Champion Award

For their commitment to environmental and social justice in California has had enormous benefits to the San Diego-Tijuana border region. CEJA’s leadership is unsurpassed and has lifted the environmental justice movement to new heights to address climate change, air pollution, healthy neighborhoods, clean and accessible energy and so much more.

 

Engage San Diego - Building Power Award

Engage San Diego is a regional civic engagement network whose mission is to build power to win social and economic justice through integrated voter engagement and community organizing. Engage San Diego seeks to build a culture of voting and achieve equitable vote share across all demographics in San Diego County. Engage brings together local organizations with diverse issues, constituencies and organizing styles and provides them with the space and leadership for innovative and effective civic collaboration.

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On October 19, EHC invites you to support community efforts preserving neighborhood character, reducing air pollution and combating displacement in Barrio Logan.

Please join us for the BarrioLive! Tour - our environmental justice tour of Barrio Logan.

Together, we'll explore the many victories and challenges in the community, including:

  • The shutdown of Master Plating
  • The creation of the Chicano community herb garden and mural
  • The community plan update, and much more.

Can't make it to the tour? Join us at Border X Brewing from 5:30 - 7 p.m. to enjoy wine, beer and yummy vegetarian tacos for a suggested contribution of $10.

This is an intimate tour that few people get to experience. Please reserve your seat today by clicking here or contacting Giuliana at 619-773-2132 or Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

On April 20, our annual awards celebration, Leaders United for Justice, recognized the everyday advocates making our communities better places to live, work and play.

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This year, we forgot the seated dinner party of the past. Instead, we treated guests to an evening of outdoor mingling, social media sharing, live music, inspiring photo displays and, most importantly, the stories of people leading our neighborhoods toward a healthier future.

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Elected officials and community leaders spent the night celebrating the progress of our leadership development program, SALTA, and helping us award three icons of environmental justice.

  • Keynote Speaker and Spirit of Justice Award: Dolores Huerta
    • As a civil rights activist and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, Huerta helped champion the rights of workers in agricultural fields. Her legendary work continues to empower communities to demand equality and social justice.
  • Environmental Justice Champion Award: Georgette Gomez
    • San Diego City Councilwoman Georgette Gomez grew up in Barrio Logan, where environmental injustices shaped her future in advocacy. Prior to her election to City Council, Gomez served as EHC’s associate director for policy where she spearheaded the effort for a new community plan for Barrio Logan and fought for climate justice.
  • Leadership Empowerment Award: Beatriz Barraza
    • Barraza was instrumental in developing the “promotora” model for peer-to-peer community health promotion, which EHC adopted for SALTA. Twenty years later, SALTA has trained more than 2,500 community members to become leaders for environmental justice in neighborhoods around the world.

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Now that the lights have dimmed on a spectacular evening, we want to say thank you. Thank you to every guest who attended and shouted “sí se puede” with us in unison. Thank you to each sponsor for heartfelt dedication to growing leaders from the ground up. Thank you every person who now proudly wears "I am EJ" or "Yo Soy EJ" pins. Thank you to those who could not attend to the event, but still want to make a donation to continue this important work.

Want to relive the celebration? Us too. Visit us on Facebook to see more photos from the evening.

From our social justice awardees, our 2,500 SALTA graduates, our community members and our team at EHC – thank you and see you next year.

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Irma believes, “anyone can be a leader,” even those who can’t read or write.

Irma and her fellow EHC leaders don’t put up walls around their communities – they open doors and pathways to leadership for everyone. With her infectious energy, Irma inspires her neighbors to get involved, raise their voices and make Barrio Logan a safe and healthy place for all people to live, work and play.

On April 20, please join us to honor Irma and her fellow visionaries at our awards celebration, Leaders United for Justice.

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To Margarita, environmental justice means, “staying informed about what’s happening in our city,” and empowering her community to have a voice in the process. 

 

Margarita lives in National City, where poor air quality threatens the health of children and families. She goes door-to-door with EHC to inform her neighbors about the toxics in the air they breathe and she encourages them to demand change.

On April 20 at Leaders United for Justice, we’ll introduce you to leaders like Margarita who embody community leadership. Purchase your tickets today.

To Roddy, environmental justice means, “everybody has an equal right to clean air.”


As a City Heights resident, Roddy refuses to stand by while his neighborhood suffers from poor transportation options and air pollution. He channeled his concerns into action at EHC’s SALTA leadership-training program and has been a powerful advocate for his community since.

At our annual awards celebration, Leaders United for Justice, we’ll celebrate leaders like Roddy, who work every day to make our communities healthier places to live, work and play.

Will you join us on April 20? Click here to purchase your tickets today. 

If you attended our annual awards celebrationOne People, Una Frontera, you met our very special guest speaker Sergio De La Torre, co-producer of the documentary film Maquilapolis. Since the event, we've received many inquiries about his film, which tells a compelling story and highlights important issues in border justice.

Maquilapolis resonates very strongly with us and our communities. EHC has worked in the border region on social and environmental justice issues for more than 20 years. We collaborated extensively with the Maquilapolis film crew more than ten years ago – we even had one of our Community Action Team leaders as a protagonist in the documentary: Lourdes Luján.

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While the film was released ten years ago, the issues it addresses the ongoing and ultimately imporant environmental and social justice issues in our communities.

Please join us for EHC's first-ever screening of this eye-opening documentary on Wednesday, July 6, at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park (2921 El Cajon Blvd, 92104). 

With only 40 seats available, reserve yours today for a suggested contribution of $8. Click here to share the event on Facebook and invite your friends, and to learn more about Maquilapolis, click here.

On April 14, our Annual Awards Celebration, One People, Una Frontera, recognized the individuals and groups that have dedicated their lives to building a healthy, unified border region.

EHC Award Winners

With a room full of people passionate about cross-border environmental justice, we celebrated One People, Una Frontera and EHC's 36th Anniversary with an uplifting night of inspiration, awards and friendship.

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Elected officials and community leaders alike spent the evening celebrating the progress of our Border Environmental Justice Campaign and helping us award those spearheading cross-border efforts. These heroes include:

  • Spirit of Justice Award
    • These government agencies worked to confine more than 42-tons of lead-contaminated waste from a Tijuana battery plant. This award recognizes their leadership and steadfast commitment to the health and safety of our neighborhoods.
      • SEMARNAT
      • EPA Region 9
    • Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins: As the leader of the California Assembly, Speaker Atkins received a perfect score for environmental justice bills in 2015. Her own bills created seats on the California Air Resources Board for environmental justice representatives and directed new resources from penalties to be directed to impacted communities.
  • Environmental Justice Champion Award 
    • From producing powerful documentaries to ensuring healthy development practices on the Alamar River, these awardees display unparalleled professional effort and commitment to equitable, balanced development in cross-border communities.
      • The Rodriguez Griswold Family
      • Vicky Funari and Sergio De La Torre
      • Enrique Medina
      • Ana Elena Espinoza
      • Saúl Guzmán
  • Healthy Neighborhoods/Barrios Saludables Awards
    • These groups have offered opportunities for concerned Tijuana citizens to get involved in their communities. Their advocacy and organizing efforts have led to toxic site cleanups, preservation of declining natural space and a strengthened concept of environmental justice in the border region.
      • Consejo Consultivo Para el Desarrollo Sustentable
      • Tijuana Calidad de Vida
      • Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental
      • CICEA Papalotzin
      • Red de Ciudadanos para la Mejora de las Comunidades (RECIMEC)
      • Colectivo Chilpancingo
      • Jóvenes Pro Justica Ambiental
    • Neighborhood leaders: 28 adults and youth were recognized for their outstanding civic engagement in the struggle for healthy neighborhoods.

 One People Una Frontera award winners

The celebration was highlighted by a video sharing the victories, challenges and vision for the future of the San Diego/Tijuana region.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors, including our presenting sponsor, Pacifica Companies, for your support and leadership in merging two cultures into one unique way of life.

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To everyone who attended, contributed and volunteered to make One People, Una Frontera a success, we can’t thank you enough. Because of your dedication, we are closer than ever before to creating a region where all people can live, work and play in a healthy and safe environment.

View more photos from the event on Facebook.

Thank you, and see you next year.

Communities on an international border have the great privilege and responsibility of transcending boundaries and merging two cultures into one unique way of life. Join us on April 14 to celebrate communities spearheading crossborder environmental justice and rebuilding the natural world we share. Reserve your seats today and join these sponsoring organizations as part of One People, Una Frontera.

 

Pacifica Companies

Presenting Sponsor 

Ash Israni founded Pacifica Companies 31 years ago. He saw every real estate project as a chance to improve the quality of life in the community and preserve and protect the natural environment. Pacifica Companies develops real estate projects that improve the quality of life for the end user and those in the surrounding community on both sides of the border and around the world, respects the ideas and concerns of everyone whom the development affects, and preserves and protects the natural environment.

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Tijuana Duty Free 

Platium Sponsor

Tijuana Duty Free is a family business that looks forward to helping build healthier communities along the region where they work.

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UETA

Platinum Sponsor 

UETA is an international business with locations on the San Diego international border. They are a new event sponsor, and want to support EHC’s Border Campaign to contribute to a healthier future for the region’s community.

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San Diego Airport Authority

Gold Sponsor 

The San Diego Airport Authority is committed to operating San Diego’s air transportation gateways in a manner that promotes the region’s prosperity and its quality of life.

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IBEW Local 569

Gold Sponsor

Representing over 3,000 power professionals in the region, the IBEW Local 569 provides training for their members.

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Port of San Diego

Gold Sponsor

The Port of San Diego works to protect the Tidelands Trust resources through a balanced approach to the economic benefits, and community enjoyment.

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SIMNSA

VIP Table 

SIMNSA sets a high goal to bring quality and cost-effective healthcare to both the employer and their cross-border workforce.

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Planned Parenthood

VIP Table

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest's motto is, "Care. No matter what." It is no surprise they would care about our border region.

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Quigley Fine Wines

VIP Table 

Quigley Fine Wines is a wine importer and winery specializing in small production, artisan wines from Italy, France, Spain and California. Its wine consultants work one-on-one with clients to give them access to these wines and provide them with knowledge and insight into the wine world. It is Quigley's goal to bridge the gap between the winemaker and the wine drinker — to keep the stories behind the wine alive until the cork is popped and the wine can speak for itself.

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Tijuana Te Quiero

Community Sponsor

TJTQ is a nonprofit on the Tijuana border to improve the border crossing experience. We are so glad to have them supporting our border work.

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La Maestra

Community Sponsor

La Maestra is all about health for underserved communities. Since 1991, La Maestra has provided culturally and linguistically competent care.

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San Diego Convention Center

Community Sponsor

The San Diego Convention Center provides an arena to advance the economic potential of the communities, and bring a global clientele to the region.

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San Diego City College

Community Sponsor

With programs in Social Justice, and programs looking at the border community, we are proud to have City College as a sponsor, and an educator for our region.

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The Center

Community Sponsor

The mission of The Center is all about health, civil liberties, and a diverse community. It is not surprise they would want to sponsor health along this diverse border region of San Diego.

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Tosdal Law Firm

Community Sponsor

Tosdal Law Firm advocates for their clients in many areas of civil litigation, but they are partners in environmentalism with their work in energy law. They hope to protect the environment and incorporate new technologies in the green energy sector.

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Ryan Brothers Coffee

Community Sponsor

Ryan Bros Coffee is a staple of our community and always engaged in their impact on our neighborhood and in our environment. They love to serve coffee because they love people, and they embody the spirit of our border campaign.

Ryan Brothers

 

 

Who will be San Diego's next great City Councilmember? 

San Diego City Council District 9 is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city. There are multiple candidates in the running to succeed Councilmember Marti Emerald and it's up to us to ensure that the next Councilperson is another champion for progressive values. We need a candidate who will stand up for working families, bring good jobs and housing to our neighborhoods and protect our health, government and right. 

That's why we're joining Engage San Diego and other local organizations to host a District 9 Candidate Forum on Wednesday, October 14 from 5 - 7:30 p.m., at Ly's Chinese Restaurant (4350 54th St, San Diego, 92115). Please join us. 

D9 candidate forum

We've already told you what 35 years of EHC means to us. But we wanted to show you.

On Saturday, September 12, we hosted a community celebration to celebrate the community members, supporters, neighbors, friends and family that make 35 years of environmental and social justice possible. With great people, great food, great music and great weather we had the perfect day.

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To view more photos from our celebration, visit us on Facebook.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Cafe Moto for sponsoring our celebration and being a great supporter of the work EHC does. Thank you, Cafe Moto!

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SOMAH Drives Climate Resiliency in Environmental Justice Communities 

Frozen Texas City

The need for bold action on energy justice was made devastatingly clear through the recent Texas energy crisis, which exposed tens of millions of people to the chill of a historic winter storm. This climate disaster was made even more dangerous by failures in the state’s isolated energy network and insufficient weatherization that left vulnerable families across the state without heat, clean water, or power for days after centralized power plants went offline.

 

What happened in Texas is all too familiar to us in California, as worsening climate disasters disproportionately impact the most marginalized communities as a result of historic divestment in community resources and resilience. Just last summer, we also saw failures in old, fossil fuel dependent energy systems, causing rolling blackouts through dangerous heat and wildfire air pollution. We need new solutions to put us on the pathway towards building energy resilient communities with decentralized, local energy production. That starts with investing in renewables, like rooftop solar, for populations who have often not been able to benefit from solar.

 

From the wildfires in California to the winter storms in Texas, we’ve seen community based organizations directly serving the needs of those communities by organizing relief funds, distributing masks, offering multilingual outreach, and more. CBOs have deep roots in the communities that we serve, which is why our voice in shaping policy and implementation is vital to ensuring that programs - like the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program -  continue to serve the needs of environmental justice communities, and in particular renters in disadvantaged communities, who bear disproportionate pollution burdens. The SOMAH program has an annual budget of up to $100 million for ten years to bring the economic and environmental benefits of solar to California’s low-income renters, and provide an entry point for careers in clean energy.

 

SOMAH serves as an implementation blueprint for all policies and programs that aim to address disparities in under-resourced communities to ensure that even in the face of disasters, there is not only immediate support for our communities but also long-term community-lead solutions for resilience. SOMAH is the first of its kind to resource and develop strong relationships with CBOs as critical partners in the implementation of a program that is aimed to directly serve environmental justice communities.

 

EHC’s work on the implementation of this program, alongside the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA), Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), and Self Help Enterprises (SHE) has helped low-income renters access solar, putting our communities on the path to developing clean energy resilience in the face of a changing climate. To date, the SOMAH program has 386 active applications with an overall capacity of 68 MW AC (production capacity in megawatts). These applications account for 32,049 affordable housing units with an average 90% allocation of solar energy to tenant units.

 

We’re proud of the first couple of years of SOMAH implementation, but we know there’s still so much work to do to build the resilience our communities need. Especially now, as we mark a full year of the pandemic’s devastation and utility bill debt mounts to new highs, the need for energy bill relief and locally generated, abundant, sustainable energy is urgent.

 

Climate disasters like the deep freeze southerners experienced this winter and the heatwaves we endured locally are predicted to increase in frequency and severity in coming years. EHC will continue to drive investments in climate resilient clean energy through SOMAH and other advocacy efforts, and we’re looking for EJ champions from the community to get involved. If you are a renter and you want the benefits of renewable energy sourced at your building, please contact SOMAH coordinator Monica de la Cruz at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

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Environmental Health Coalition's statement on California State Auditor report on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.

Environmental Health Coalition appreciates the leadership of Assembly member Gloria to request this investigation and thanks the Auditor’s office for its comprehensive research. Read full press release from Assembly member Gloria.

This report validates the experiences of residents who live in the communities most impacted by poor air quality.  Their voices have not been heard as complaints languish for months, monies have not been spent appropriately to reduce pollution and San Diego’s air quality is worsening.  EHC looks forward to working with the new Air Pollution Control Board to rectify these problems.

We are dismayed by the corporate subsidies of nearly $4 million that have been provided to industrial polluters.  The permit program should be a ‘full cost recovery’ system with permit holders paying for the total cost of regulating them.  We are concerned that permit fees have been kept low to accommodate demands from industry.  The public’s vehicle registration funds were used to subsidize these companies. Those funds should have been used for programs to reduce air pollution throughout the region and particularly in those communities that are most impacted.

Lack of public participation has been an ongoing and decades long concern.  APCD has improved its community involvement with the Community Air Protection Program but the lack of authentic participation in the advisory board and at APCD board meetings is stunningly poor.  Most board decisions are on consent with only 3 public commenters in 3 years.  The APCD website is not user-friendly and lack transparency.  These are issues that are required to be managed by the passage of AB 423 that creates a new board structure and requirements for improvement.

 

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This March, our lives were completely changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Public transit ridership plummeted and unemployment skyrocketed. The pandemic spread, and by April 20, nearly 100 transit workers in the US had died from the coronavirus due to the lack of basic safety measures. The world came to an abrupt stop and we all pivoted to adjust to our new reality.

EHC’s transportation justice work had to pivot as well. Along with community members and partner organizations, we had worked tirelessly for the past two years advocating for MTS to prioritize equity and environmental justice (EJ) communities as it shaped the Elevate SD 2020 ballot measure. Then in April, MTS took Elevate SD 2020 off of the November ballot in response to the pandemic. The potential for an infusion of $24 billion in transit funding over the next 50 years – gone!

The pandemic is still with us. Clean and safe transit is still a critical need. So despite the loss, EHC and the San Diego Transportation Equity Working Group (SDTEWG) have continued our work for transit justice.

And, we are making progress!

On June 18, MTS strengthened its commitment to zero-emission buses by unanimously approving our recommendations to improve its transition plan, which lay out how the agency will move from dirty to clean buses:

  • Prioritize environmental justice communities to get zero-emission buses first
  • Provide a meaningful community engagement process
  • Include workforce training and safety for transit workers
  • Develop more optional scenarios that accelerate the transition
  • Develop greenhouse gas emission reduction analyses to meet state goals

Our communities need and deserve a just recovery. They cannot afford a “return to normal” that locks in decades of toxic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which will lead us into another health crisis from worsened air pollution and climate change. EHC stands ready to work with MTS and our transportation justice allies to ensure a just recovery for all communities.

Image credit: MTS

 

Below please find the text of a letter sent to Governor Gavin Newsom from members of the State Legislature regarding environmental and health regulations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (Download the PDF).


 

April 27, 2020

The Honorable Gavin Newsom Governor,
State of California State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Urgent Need to Defend Environmental and Health Regulations

Dear Governor Newsom:

Our state is facing an unprecedented public health crisis and many of our residents are experiencing extreme health and economic hardships due to COVID-19. We know firsthand how this crisis is impacting our communities that are complying with the shelter-in-place mandate in Executive Order N-33-20. Additionally, we know this is forcing the Administration and its Agencies to continue to implement regulations and programs that safeguard and protect public health, our environment, and natural resources. We are concerned by recent accounts in the press, as well as letters that the Legislature has received from regulated industries, that are using this public health emergency as an attempt to stop, delay, or otherwise weaken California’s environmental and public health protections. In light of this emergency, it is imperative that we resist efforts to roll back any current protections, and that we instead focus on raising awareness on the importance of healthy lungs, healthy immune systems and maintaining safeguards and health protections in place.

The health of millions of Californians -- many of whom already bear the greatest burdens by living in our state’s most polluted cities -- relies on you maintaining momentum in implementation and defense of clean air and climate protections, including those recently passed by the Legislature and signed into law. Our disadvantaged communities in particular, which would most benefit from regulations to clean up our air, are more at risk from COVID-19 due to harms from consistent air pollution exposure to their respiratory systems. We know that maintaining these safeguards will be important as our state is likely to experience more unpredictable and unforeseen events in the future. Maintaining resilient government institutions must continue to be a hallmark of California public policy, even as we are acutely challenged by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

We have taken a leading role in addressing air pollution and the climate crisis by setting model standards for the rest of the world. We cannot stop. Undoing or delaying these regulations would not only damage our health but also our economy. Scientists warned of a pandemic and the climate crisis -- it is critical that we move towards combating and protecting people from both. Our agencies must resist attempts by polluting industries to exploit our current crisis to loosen, rollback or delay the adoption of vital environmental regulations that protect the health and safety of Californians. We ask that you continue to move forward on critical rulemakings with an emphasis on maximizing equitable and meaningful public participation and community-based feedback. Now more than ever, even as the Federal Administration works to dismantle fundamental regulations, we must uphold our commitment to safeguard Californians’ wellbeing.

We appreciate your continued hard work during these times, and we look forward to working with your agencies to defend California’s life-saving regulations.

 

Vision Builder Challenge

Your voice is important in planning the future of transit in San Diego.

MTS wants to know how YOU would invest in San Diego’s transit. They have launched a public outreach tool called Vision Builder to collect feedback on the type of projects that should be funded by a new tax measure. The tool mimics an online shopping experience. Users can add projects to their cart and spend up to 1,000 coins.

Tell MTS to prioritize Transportation Justice by selecting a mix of the following projects for up to 1,000 coins:

TJ Coins

Download our Transportation Justice Shoppers Guide for more information.

Shop Now Button


LEARN HOW THE VISION BUILDER TOOL WORKS

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Environmental justice (EJ) communities are the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) number one customers, but the system does not serve them the way it should. In 2020, MTS will have a tax measure that can fund the transformation of San Diego’s inequitable, car-centric transportation model into an equitable public transit network that:

  • Connects EJ communities to jobs
  • Makes it affordable to ride the bus and trolley
  • Ensures the region meets regional climate goals

Health inequities are strongly related to issues such as unemployment, poverty, underfunded schools, and a lack of affordable housing. The Healthy Cities, Healthy Residents (HCHR) project was launched to address these inequities, notably in terms of community-driven policies on healthy food systems, safe streets, active transportation, and active living.

On September 12, 2019 EHC, Circulate San Diego, the County of San Diego, and community partners hosted a pop-up event to celebrate the conclusion of the three-year HCHR grant funded by the County of San Diego and managed by EHC. The event focused on engaging and educating National City community members on important issues related to sustainable changes in city planning, policies, and neighborhood environments.

National City Mayor Sotelo-Solisand Councilmember Ron Morrison attended the community event where community partners, SANDAG and other agencies showcased their work. The event coincided with a half-day at Kimball Elementary so that students and their parents could participate together.

 

HCHR Community Pop-Up Event

MTS Board Meeting 2020 Ballot Measure

Residents in environmental justice (EJ) communities are the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) number one customers, but the transit service doesn’t serve them the way it should. EJ community residents are at higher risk of disease due to transportation-related air pollution emissions and the current transit system doesn’t get them to their jobs. Seventy-percent of jobs are unreachable within 90 minutes by public transit. 

That’s why, we proudly stood with the San Diego Transportation Equity Working Group at the MTS board meeting to demand a 2020 MTS ballot measure that leads with transportation equity which: 

✔️Connects EJ communities to jobs
✔️Makes it affordable to ride the bus and trolley
✔️Ensures San Diego meets regional climate goals
✔️Includes meaningful community engagement

Read our full MTS 2020 ballot measure fact sheet here

Want more? See our media coverage from Televisa or read about our Transportation Justice work here.

We know that our families suffer first and worst from the harmful impacts of climate change due to discriminatory  transportation planning that comes at the expense of historically neglected communities.

We also know that environmental justice is the right of all people to live, work and play in a healthy and safe environment. 

That's why EHC works on transportation justice to bring more accesible, affordable and safe pedestrian, bike and transit improvements to the neighborhoods that need them most.

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We know we deserve climate justice and #healthyhoods and less asthma hospitalizations for our children. 

Our community leaders traveled to Riverside to tell the Air Resources Board we deserve better from SANDAG - our region's transportation planning agency.

That's why we asked for the Air Resources Board to require SANDAG cut its emissions by 25 percent by the year 2035.

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 Our Executive Director Diane Takvorian, who also sits on the Air Resources Board, proposed a higher emissions-reduction target for SANDAG. Board members Dean Florez and John Gioia supported her amendment before the 19-percent target was finalized.

“The lack of strong statewide leadership behind SB 375 simply means local, grassroots organizations have more work to do,” says Ana Reynoso, EHC transportation justice policy advocate. “Residents who journeyed to Riverside for last night’s vote know first-hand that the effects of climate change disproportionately impact communities south of the I-8 freeway and that we needed at least a 25 percent reduction in pollution by 2035 to alleviate that.”

Moving forward, we promise to team up with local allies including Climate Action Campaign, San Diego 350 and more to ensure SANDAG meets the 19-percent reduction standard for San Diego in an equitable and transparent way.

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“We intend to work very closely with the Air Resources Board to ensure it holds SANDAG accountable to implementing SB 375 in a way that prioritizes the communities that need the most immediate help,” says Reynoso.

Learn more about transportation justice here, and click here to get involved.

SB 375 Community Leader 

When our region provides affordable and accessible transportation options - such as walking, biking and transit – we can reduce the pollution that we breathe every day, reduce the harmful impacts of climate change and improve the quality of life in our communities.

We recently brought this intention to the California Air Resources Board, where we told state leaders that we need strong laws, like SB 375, to reduce pollution in our neighborhoods.

What Is SB 375?

SB 375 is Senate bill that holds our regional transportation-planning agency, SANDAG, accountable for reducing its pollution. Our communities demanded SANDAG reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by the year 2035.

Why SB 375 Matters to All of Us

For years, SANDAG’s transportation planning has long neglected to meet the needs of our families and neighborhoods. SB 375 would require SANDAG to ditch its current transportation plan in favor of one that significantly decreases greenhouse gas emissions and ensures our communities don’t continue to shoulder the burden of air pollution in the region and in the state.

Joined by a variety of organizations across the region, we submitted this letter to state leaders to explain why SANDAG’s operations and planning need to change.

Support a Strong SB 375 to Protect Our Communities

Many San Diego organizations have joined us to demand California decision makers hold SANDAG accountable. Learn more about SB 375 here.

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Thank you for your commitment to transportation justice. We did it!

We signed petitions. We spoke at press conferences. We attended meetings. We talked to our neighbors about why our communities need AB805 -- the statewide bill to bring us one step closer to transportation justice in the neighborhoods that need access to transit and safe places to walk and bike most.

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And when Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law this month, we cheered and rejoiced at our community-earned victory.

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Thank you to Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher for championing this effort and bringing our communities one step closer to transportation justice. We look forward to a new SANDAG – one that creates an equitable transportation system that works for all people in San Diego.

Congratulations. We could not have done this without you.

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On August 15, residents of Old Town National City joined us to demand National City Council prohibit pollution from local auto body shop Perry Ford.

Perry Ford has been operating without permits and against zoning requirements established by National City’s Westside Specific Plan, which passed in 2010.

Residents of the Paradise Creek Park Apartments approached City Council one by one to express frustration about Perry Ford operating close to homes and schools in the neighborhood.

Alicia Sanchez, a longtime community member who was initially involved in drafting the Westside Specific Plan, took a moment to remind everyone how imperative it is to prohibit pollution in communities if we truly want #healthyhoods.

Promotora Maria Villanueva testifies against Perry Ford

Thank you to National City Councilmembers Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Mona Rios, Jerry Cano and Albert Mendivil made the right decision to uphold the Old Town National City Westside Specific Plan and prevent toxic businesses from contaminating where we live, work and play.

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Thank you to every community member who made this victory a possibility and put us one step closer to achieving our vision of environmental justice in National City.

To join our movement, please click here.

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Last month, our staff celebrated the introduction of their very own bikeshare program to promote transportation justice and healthy living in the workplace.

Now, you may spot EHC staff pedaling around National City for meals, meetings – or maybe just for fun.

By installing bike racks and working with the San Diego County Bike Coalition to teach safe biking to our team, we hope to slowly but surely reduce the number of cars the streets in our neighborhood and encourage our community to use alternative modes of transportation. Now, we’re talking the talk and biking the bike.

Want to learn what you can do to bring transportation justice to your community? Click here.

Transportation justice Roddy sign

Freeways can wait - people can't. Sign here to demand transportation justice, and read more below.

San Diego lags behind most major regions in California for an accessible, affordable and comprehensive transportation system. San Diego’s Transportation Planning Agency – SANDAG – has ignored the demands of the public for an effective system. SANDAG needs to be reformed.

Sign this petition to tell your legislator to support AB 805 (Gonzalez-Fletcher) to authorize the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit Agency to raise revenue to create an equitable system that achieves:

  • Transportation justice: Investments in transit, bicycling, and pedestrian infrastructure in San Diego’s most impacted neighborhoods first.
  • Democracy: Voting authority based on population size to ensure fair representation.
  • Reduced air pollution and climate change resilience: Protect public health and the environment from toxic air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Accessibility: Better and more abundant transportation options and increased affordability give community member's greater access to jobs, housing and services.

Click here to learn more about AB 805 and how it make our communities healthier and safer places to live, work and play.

On November 8, we're voting no on Measure A to protect our children’s health. Executive Director Diane Takvorian explained in the San Diego Free Press why San Diego should say no to a deceptive 40-year tax increase that pays for freeway expansion and air pollution.

Click here to read her full article on the environmental justice argument against Measure A. 

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Measure A is More Bad News for Low-Income Communities

Voters Should Reject Measure A – This year San Diego voters have an opportunity to take a critical first step towards bringing San Diego into the 21st century. Right now, San Diego has an outdated and obsolete transportation system. Measure A will perpetuate that system for another 40 years!

Two generations of San Diegans will be stuck with this backward system instead of clean and just transportation if voters don’t give a resounding NO to Measure A on November 8.

While all San Diegans suffer from this outdated and ineffective system, some people are much more affected than others. Measure A doesn’t do much good for anyone in the region but it is particularly bad for those communities that are already inundated by pollution and surrounded by freeways.

Measure A is Bad for South Bay Communities

More Pollution/More Disease – National City, for instance, is one of San Diego’s poorest cities, with a per capita income under $17,000 per year. Over 90% of the residents are persons of color. The community is highly polluted by heavy freeway traffic on I-5, I-15, SR 54, I-805 and its residents suffer multiple health problems caused by vehicle and truck emissions. As a result, CalEnviroScreen, the state’s tracking tool for pollution impacts, includes the west side of National City, Old Town, among the 10% most polluted communities in the state.

San Diego County remains among the top major urban counties in California for poor air quality. The countywide rate of asthma hospitalizations increased from 9 to 10.3 per 10,000 residents aged 0-17. The rate for National City children is twice as high as the county average.

SANDAG’s freeway expansion obsession doesn’t work! – Instead of using this data to inform transportation planning, SANDAG is ignoring it. Our region’s goal should be to avoid adding more pollution to San Diego overall but particularly in the most impacted communities. But no, despite the already high level of traffic pollution, SANDAG will use Measure A funds to expand the I-5 corridor through National City with four new lanes, one general purpose and one express lane in each direction. The agency’s forecast is that this will result in an average of 238,000 vehicle trips per day. While there are different data for current traffic levels, that is an increase of between 17 and 30%.

Moreover, freeway expansion doesn’t relieve congestion or reduce driving – two oft-cited goals of the regional transportation plan. In October 2015 UC Davis’ National Center for Sustainable Transportation reported that “Increased roadway capacity induces additional vehicle miles traveled in the short-run and even more in the long-run.” More roads mean more traffic in both the short- and long-term. Adding 10 percent more road capacity leads to up to 10% more vehicle miles over many years.

Local Infrastructure – Residents living in a low-income neighborhood in the City of San Diego are ten times more likely to be hit by a car than those that live in most other neighborhoods. Southern San Diego residents not only suffer from high levels of air pollution and correspondingly high rates of respiratory disease, these communities, including Barrio Logan, City Heights, National City, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach, live with crumbling infrastructure like broken or nonexistent sidewalks, a lack of crosswalks to safely navigate traffic and a lack of bike lanes common in many traditionally funded communities.

Well-maintained local infrastructure is a key component to an effective transportation system and should be included in transportation funding.

Finally – To be clear, transit and infrastructure funding are included in Measure A. That funding is badly needed and could benefit the most impacted communities and the entire region. But the price is way too high. Miles of freeways will be built in the worst locations before affordable and accessible transit becomes a reality. Measure A forces lower income San Diegans to subsidize use of our roads with higher taxes and damaged lungs. Measure A will increase disease, air and water pollution and traffic congestion.

Don’t support a tax measure that builds on a flawed plan that will not bring San Diego into the 21st century and will make climate change worse. We have come to the decisive moment when scientific reality must trump politics. We are out of time for half measures.

Our communities deserve better, our children deserve better – smart transportation investments that will ease traffic, address climate change, and reduce disease should come first.

Vote No on Measure A.

This fall, the Governor of California said yes to #healthyhoods and signed four climate justice bills into laws. That’s four incredible reasons to dance.

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With these victories, we’re transforming our communities into #healthyhoods by:

  • Fighting climate change
    With SB-32, we set an unprecedented goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California – 40 percent below 1990 levels.
  • Better air quality and transparent leadership
    With AB-197, we increased transparency for the California Air Resources Board and required it to publish more data about air pollution.
  • Creating #healthyhoods
    With AB-1550, we put our neighborhoods first in line to receive more funding to become healthy, thriving communities.
  • Planning for environmental justice
    With SB-1000, all general plans must prioritize communities hit first and worst by climate change.

Celebrate justice

We’re proud of our community leaders and our partners at the California Environmental Justice Alliance who mobilize and empower our communities throughout California. These statewide victories prove that when we raise our voices together, we can create lasting change for justice. 

We know our communities are hit first and worst by the impacts of climate change and air pollution, and today the fight for climate justice has never been more urgent. 

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Together, we're making incredible progress for climate justice in our communities. Click here to learn more about our goals and visions for climate justice in the region for the next few years.

Here are three ways EHC proudly leads this effort in the San Diego/Tijuana region.

Our focus is unique.

EHC is the only binational environmental justice organization in a cross-border region with a population of nearly five million people. This gives us a responsibility to speak up for climate issues in our communities.

Our communities deserve better.
Everyone has a right to live, work and play in a healthy and safe environment. With grassroots advocacy, we lift up the community voice and, together, urge our leaders to prioritize social equity in their response to climate change.

We are setting a precedent.
We have worked directly on energy and climate issues for more than a decade, and on air pollution issues for more than 30 years. In 2008, we launched a new campaign to focus specifically on climate justice. Thanks to the momentum we’ve built, our grassroots advocacy efforts have secured local, regional and state policies that protect the most impacted communities from the effects of climate change. We hope these policies can serve as models for similar regions throughout the country.

Learn more.
Click here to learn more about our progress to address dangerous impacts of climate change in our communities.

Last week, more than 100 community members joined a public workshop in Barrio Logan to tell the California Air Resources Board how climate change and air pollution impact everyday life in our neighborhoods.

ARB Workshop1

Mary Rose, a local resident, said, “Our friends in Sacremento don’t live in our neighborhoods, and they don’t understand what’s going on here. That’s why we’re having this meeting – so everyone can hear what it’s like to live here.”

At a series of table discussions, we told the California Air Resources Board that our communities need improved transit options and better air quality. We described how our neighborhoods are hit first and worst by the impacts of climate change. We shared stories and brainstormed solutions. Now, our voices will be used to guide an update to statewide climate change policy.

Thank you for joining us on July 14. We are powerful when we come together to share, listen to each other and offer solutions to prioritize neighborhoods that need help the most.

ARB Workshop3

To continue making your voice heard, join us to thank the Air Resources Board for visiting Barrio Logan and other low-income communities of color to build policy that we can depend on for #healthyhoods. 

If you use Twitter, please click here to thank our leaders.

Want to learn more? Watch, read and listen to Executive Director Diane Takvorian discuss the harmful impacts of climate change in our communities witKPBS and San Diego Union-Tribune.

On July 14, we have the opportunity to talk about an issue that’s impacted all of us: climate change. For the first time in history, the California Air Resources Board will host a public workshop in Barrio Logan to openly discuss the effects of climate change on our communities, and it’s up to us to share our stories and make our voices heard.

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What we want the Air Resources Board to know:

What happens next?

The Air Resources Board hosts several more workshops in neighborhoods of color across California and uses community input to revise state laws on climate change and update the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Our job is to ensure new regulations prioritize neighborhoods hit first and worst by climate change.

Are you in?

Invite your friends, family and neighbors to attend this history-making workshop to make your voice heard for environmental justice.

Thursday, July 14 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Cesar E. Chavez Campus – San Diego Continuing Education, 1901 Main Street, San Diego, 92113.

Can’t make it? You can still make your voice heard.

If you use Twitter, please join us in thanking the Air Resources Board for coming to Barrio Logan and tell them about issues our communities face.

  • Tweet: Effects of #climatechange hit our communities hard. Thanks @AirResources for visiting #BarrioLogan to talk #climatejustice 
  • Tweet: #Climatejustice in #BarrioLogan matters to me because my kids deserve clean, safe places to play. @AirResources @ARBespanol 
  • Tweet: #Climatejustice means clean air, more transit options and renewable energy in our communities. @AirResources @ARBespanol

Meet the Built Environment Team.

EHC, in partnership with City Heights Community Development Corporation, International Rescue Committee and Proyecto de Casas Saludables, joined forces five years ago to develop an advocacy curriculum, identify advocacy priorities and develop strategies to meet the needs of City Heights residents.

The Built Environment Team was created to work with residents to develop the community driven action plan. This multi-year plan empowers local residents to be central leaders for change with the support of community organizations and existing leaders. Today, EHC continues to collaborate and co-facilitate the progress of the grassroots group.

EHC BET Justice copy

Over the past five years, EHC has collaborated with BET to accomplish key victories, including:

Through this leadership, we’ve established our community members as local leaders on mobility issues in City Heights.

Every week, diverse groups come together to advocate for justice in their neighborhood. They hold regular meetings to discuss important local issues in English, Spanish, Karen and Vietnamese.

Community members like Tunn, pictured below, step up to lead EHC’s community action teams. Tunn invites volunteers into his home for meetings and he writes poetry to raise awareness about causes that matter to his neighborhood.

BET Tunn Community Leader copy

We’re proud to see the Built Environment Team grow because we know community change starts with local leadership.

To get involved with the Built Environment Team, please contact us at 619-474-0220.

While pollution affects all of us, it hits low-income communities first and worst.

The City of San Diego has unveiled a plan to reduce our city's pollution over the next 50 years and in the spring of 2016, Mayor Kevin Faulconer released a strategy for meeting the plan's goals. 

The proposed plan lacks a strong focus on social equity – protecting our neighborhoods that already suffer disproportionately more than other neighborhoods.

That's why Policy Advocate Monique López delivered this letter to Mayor Faulconer on the importance of equity in San Diego's climate action plan, and now we want to share it with you.

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May, 2016

Mayor Kevin Faulconer
City of San Diego
202 C Street
San Diego, CA 92101

Re: City of San Diego- Climate Action Plan Implementation Report

Dear Mayor Faulconer:

The Climate Action Plan (CAP) "Implementation Report" is a good first step describing the planned expenditures for each CAP strategy proposed for the FY 2017 budget. The plan asserts that more than $127 million will be dedicated to CAP implementation in FY 17.

However, an implementation road map that further defines what are all the activities that need to take place in the next five years, ten years, and fifteen years which goes beyond the year to year budget analysis is needed in order to ensure that the City is on a trajectory to meet its Climate Action Plan goals. Such an Implantation Plan can institutionalize practices in the various departments, and identify a timeline for ordinances and actions that need to be pursued.

What are the associated green-house gas reductions? An analysis should be provided that highlights where specifically these investments are being made and where greenhouse gas emissions are being reduced, in both the short term and long term.

Where is the equity? In the current Implementation Report, the social equity requirement in the CAP is not acknowledged nor is there an allocation of funds based on CalEnviro Screen or any other method of ensuring equitable distribution of resources. The impacts of a changing climate are most detrimental in neighborhoods such as Barrio Logan, City Heights, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights and San Ysidro that suffer from damaging air quality, burdensome energy bills and inaccessible public transit.

The CAP recognized these challenges and included a mandate to prioritize the most impacted communities for mitigation and investment. The CAP States, “The General Plan includes policies to pursue environmental justice in the planning process through greater community participation, to prioritize and allocate citywide resources to provide public facilities and services to communities in need, and to improve mobility options and accessibility for the non-driving elderly, disabled, low-income, and other members of the population……The City interprets the Council Policy to include the use of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) CalEnviroScreen tool to identify under-served communities and prioritize the CIP in census tracts ranking in the top 30% of CalEnviroScreen scores, which may be locally normalized.” In order to comply with this requirement, the CAP Implementation Plan must, incorporate specific equity strategies in each element. For example: the Energy Conservation and Disclosure Ordinance should include specific actions such as providing assistance to low income households for energy reduction and access to renewables; and directing new tree planting to those areas with limited tree canopy.

Include staffing for equity and implementation. We are supportive of the hiring of one additional staff to assist with the implementation of the Climate Action Plan; however, in most cities where implementation of a Climate Action Plan is given priority there is often multiple staff working on this issue. Therefore, in addition to this staff person, we encourage hiring at least five staff people, in which one is fully dedicated to equity, be included in the budget allocation. An Equity Specialist should be included to ensure compliance with this important CAP requirement. An Equity Specialist can help analyze and prioritize low-income communities of color in the struggle against climate change and the implementation of this plan.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with City staff to move the Climate Action Plan forward.

Sincerely,
MONIQUE G. LÓPEZ 

To download a PDF of this letter, click here.

A recent KPBS article reports that The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the organization responsible for planning the transportation in San Diego County, spent close to $1.5 million on a publicity strategy for the regional transportation plan.

The plan, passed last October, put freeways before people, ignoring recurring community requests for improved transit, biking and walking infrastructure before expanding freeways.

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The article exposed SANDAG's developing media talking points to support the regional transportation plan; talking points that made the plan sound like a good option for our communities.

In reality, the plan is not a good option for our communities, and no media strategy or talking point covers this up.

Today, the truth remains the same: The regional transportation plan does not meet the community's needs, and it is not a good plan to improve the public health, safety and sustainability of the San Diego region.

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Our communities will only improve when our government listens to the community and stands united with them.

Our communities don’t have millions of dollars to run a media campaign about the need for transportation justice.

Our communities have the truth. We have our stories. We have our heart. 

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Do you know where we find our talking points?

We find it in Alma from Sherman Heights, who used to take public transit two hours in each direction to get to work every day and support her family.

It’s Brent from Barrio Logan, who tirelessly advocates for accessable sidewalks and safe crossing near Chicano Park.

It’s Boo Paw, a Karen Refugee living in City Heights. She and her daughter were struck by a car on a road near her home because of the lack of safe places to walk.

It’s the mother and father in Westside National City. They stay up late every night with their child who has asthma - which is triggered by the pollution from the neighboring freeway.

They, and many others, are our inspiration. They live our talking points. Their lives are our message, and that message is this: 

We must put the health and safety of our communities first.

This is one message that has never changed.

At EHC, we talk about transportation justice often. We know that how we move in our communities has an impact on our quality of life. But how are our communities spreading the word? How are we starting a movement?

Recently, 130 ninth-graders at e3Civic High School turned transportation justice into an outlet of creative expression.

Transportation Justice Art

EHC worked closely with the high school’s science, humanities and math teachers to provide students with necessary informational materials and mentorship. The students then took it upon themselves to discover what transportation justice means to them.

From their own research, students developed infographics to help easily explain transportation issues such as public health and infrastructure. Some even explored their home neighborhoods to take photographs of broken or nonexistent sidewalks, automobile congestion, transit opportunities, safe routes and more. These photographs eventually developed into beautiful stained glass images.

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During the school’s “Winter Exhibition of Student Learning,” all 130 students stood alongside their projects and presented them to parents, teachers and community members. As more than 200 adults stopped to take in each piece of art, the students greeted them with information about the current transportation injustices happening in their own backyards.

“When you add lanes to freeways it doesn’t relieve traffic congestion in the long run,” said one student to a classmate’s parent. “It just adds more pollution in the neighborhoods.”

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“Some neighborhoods don’t have sidewalks, so they are ten times more likely to get hit by a car than if they lived in a wealthier neighborhood,” explained another student. “This is a transportation justice issue.”

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The students also shared their own transportation justice stories. Some could not afford to pay for transit while others felt unsafe crossing streets by their home. One student stood by her stained glass image of a broken sidewalk and told a story of how the poor conditions of the sidewalks and lack of ADA curb cutouts leave her grandmother unable to get around the neighborhood in her wheelchair.

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When the students learned that SADAG had a survey requesting input on the type of transportation projects a potential ballot initiative should fund, they saw an opportunity to raise their voice. They placed a computer at the event for attendees to take the survey and urge SANDAG to support public transit, funding for transit passes for youth and say no to freeway expansion.

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The majority of the students at e3 Civic High School live in San Diego’s urban core and grew up thinking that transportation justice issues were normal aspects of life. Now, these students know that they have the power – and the responsibility - to change the status quo. With knowledge and passion, San Diego now has 130 transportation justice ambassadors equipped to make a difference for years to come.

To learn more about transportation justice, click here. To get involved, please email Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. or call (619) 474-0220 ext. 130.

Through the process of advocating for a Regional Transportation Plan that prioritizes affordable and accessible public transit, biking and walking, our communities grew stronger and more united. Doing much of this advocacy work in partnership with City Heights CDC and MAAC Project, we organized community support in unprecedented ways. We brought the concept of transportation justice to our neighbors, to community meetings, to City Council and SANDAG. We led bike rides to celebrate a future where pedestrians have safe places to ride bikes and walk. We taught each other the importance of having transportation alternatives to improve our quality of life and encouraged each other to get involved in the planning process and build healthy neighborhoods

We accomplished the following by raising our voices and spreading hope for the past two years. 

  • A Transit Pilot Project on the 94 Freeway. $31 million will go toward a pilot project to assess the feasibility of using the existing median for public transit on the 94 Freeway. SANDAG stated that results of the demonstration project would be shared with the Federal Transit Administration for potential use nationwide.

MLK freeway environmental justice

  • A Golden Hill/Sherman Heights Bus Stop. Golden Hill and Sherman Heights residents will get a much-needed bus stop, a $66-million investment, near the 94 Freeway and have better north-south transit access to communities from Otay Mesa to Escondido.

EHC says thank you

  • 94 Freeway Environmental Impact Report (EIR). SANDAG had proposed two alternatives to add lanes to the 94 Freeway to increase car capacity, which would increase climate change and air pollution. We were able to successfully halt the process and incorporate two community-supported alternatives which put transit before freeways to be analyzed in an Environmental Impact Report.

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  • Purple Line Trolley. The purple trolley line, slated for the year 2035, will connect the communities of San Ysidro to Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City as well as become the first trolley line to go through City Heights and up to Kearney Mesa. This trolley line wasn’t included in the first Regional Transportation Plan, but our community members raised their voices about the necessity of a north-south bound trolley line through our neighborhoods. This new trolley line will require an investment of $5.471 Billion, making it a major victory for the community.

EHC speaking at meeting

  • City Heights Rapid Transit. $78 million will fund a rapid transit line through the City Heights neighborhood traveling up 54th street. Originally in the Regional Transportation Plan for 2050, our community members got it slated to be operating by 2025.

SANDAG protest

  • Community Bike Ride. We hosted our first-ever community bike ride for City Heights residents to pedal in support of the new bike infrastructure planned for 54th, University Avenue and Orange Avenue. More than 100 people attended this community bike ride to celebrate, support and raise awareness for bicycle and pedestrian improvements that include bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks and more. The bike ride also gave our allies a platform to share stories and build new partnerships in the community in the interest of safe streets. Everyone had a great time. Residents who hadn’t ridden a bike in years decided to join and many loved it so much they made plans to begin biking regularly again.

biking in san diego

TJ Ride

  • National City gets Safe Routes to School. The popular route to Kimball Elementary school underwent improvements to implement a community vision for a safe and healthy way for children to get to school. With the addition of stop signs, traffic-slowing infrastructure, bike lanes, bike racks, sidewalk maintenance and an improved student pick-up and drop-off area, getting to school is now safer and more enjoyable for nearly 400 students in our communities.

Kid on bike

  • Affordable Housing Near Transit. National City broke ground on 201 Paradise Creek affordable housing units. This development, nationally recognized for being transit-oriented and sustainable, is a perfect example of what can happen when residents come together and get involved in the planning of their communities.

EHC dispays transportation

  • Community Involvement. With a common interest of making the region more accessible for everything, EHC and the Built Environment Team hosted a total of 19 community meetings. Residents gave public testimony at 12 total meetings, including SANDAG committee meetings and board meetings, City bike corridor and climate action plan meetings and neighborhood workshops. More than 600 community members signed EHC’s petition to protect the 94 freeway from expansion.

Community empowerment workshop

  • One Regional, Unified Voice. Advocating for a Regional Transportation Plan that prioritized transit, biking and walking improvement before freeway expansion brought San Diego’s regional environmental community, social justice, community based organizations, transportation advocacy and labor organizations together for the first time to go on record in opposition to the regional plan. This was the first time all these organizations united over a common cause.

The fight continues for transportation justice. With your help and your commitment to #healthyhoods, we will continue to advocate for the transit, biking and walking improvements our communities need to have a safe and healthy place to live, work and play.

The Quality of Life Coalition

We all need to move. How we get from place to place is deeply connected to our quality of life. Unfortunately, not all communities have the same access to healthy, safe, reliable and affordable transportation options, such as public transit and biking and walking paths. That means some people don't have access to the same quality of life, just because of where they live. Transportation justice is the equal access of all people to the transportation they need for a better quality of life.

LEARN MORE

READ OUR VISION

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Now, SANDAG has proposed a half-cent sales tax increase slated for the November 2016 ballot to generate new money for transportation projects in San Diego County. SANDAG is developing a list of projects that the tax increase would fund. Should its countywide tax increase pass in November’s election, SANDAG’s predetermined list of projects will become a blueprint for decades of regional growth. The projects we decide on now will undoubtedly impact us for the rest of our lives.

SANDAG must seize this opportunity to invest in a sustainable future to meet the needs of our communities.

Press conference at 24th Street trolley

We stand in solidarity with more than 20 other organizations that represent environmental, social justice, labor union, climate action, affordable housing and transit advocates from throughout the San Diego region and call for SANDAG to invest public money in a socially and environmentally equitable manner.

It is going to take visionary leadership to meet the mobility, economic and climate action challenges of the 21st century.

Our vision benefits residents throughout the county, positions San Diego communities to leverage state and federal funds and accelerates regional efforts to invest in better transit, safer streets for biking and walking, good jobs and clean air.

The Coalition urges SANDAG to avoid duplicating the unsustainable vision it approved in the Regional Transportation Plan. In October, 2015, SANDAG cited that there was a lack of funds for transit and infrastructure to make our streets safer and passed a plan with major freeway expansion projects and minimal investment in transit, biking and walking infrastructure for the next 30 years. SANDAG’s prospective ballot measure provides another opportunity for San Diego County to make progress toward a sustainable future. New money and old thinking doesn’t mix, and the San Diego region cannot afford to spend this money on freeway-centric investment and planning contributes to air pollution and has proven not to alleviate traffic congestion in the long run.

The Coalition hopes to work with SANDAG to build San Diego County into a vibrant and inclusive economy that lifts up families, addresses climate change and creates healthier neighborhoods and good jobs instead of continuing down a path of increased air pollution, harmful effects of climate change, poorly paying jobs and insufficient transportation options.

Seize your opportunity to tell SANDAG how you would you want your tax dollars spent.

Monique at Quality of Life press conference

Click here to tell SANDAG what matters to you and ask it to prioritize:

SANDAG will offer public input opportunities from January 27 through March 25.

Want to make your voice heard in person? We encourage you and hope you will join us at the SANDAG transportation committee meeting and regional planning committee meetings on February 5, at 9 a.m. and noon at 401 B Street, San Diego, Floor 7.

Want to join our movement? Please Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. or call (619) 474-0220 ext. 115 to get involved.

EHC presents at CAP hearing

On December 15, 2015, we made history.

San Diego City Council voted to approve a precedent-setting climate action plan with strong social equity requirements. This plan aims to create a healthier future for San Diegans by reducing pollution, bringing more clean energy, increasing transit, walking and biking opportunities.

We joined nearly 1,000 San Diegans and fifteen organizations to tell City Council to begin in communities hit first and worst by climate change – and they listened.

Today, San Diego is the first city in California to adopt a climate action plan that utilizes a statewide monitoring tool called CalEnviroScreen. The tool identifies communities overburdened by multiple sources of pollution and will be used to direct investment and benefits to our neighborhoods.

“The impacts of a changing climate are most detrimental in neighborhoods such as Barrio Logan, City Heights, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, San Ysidro and Southeastern San Diego that suffer from damaging air quality, burdensome energy bills and inaccessible public transit,” says Associate Director Georgette Gómez. “We applaud Council for this decision that makes San Diego the first city in California to adopt a climate action plan with CalEnviroScreen at its core and a commitment to implement the plan in communities where its impact is highest.”

EHC hopes this decision will inspire other cities in California to adopt climate action plans that utilizes CalEnviroScreen and to advocate for strong action on climate that prioritizes communities impacted with high levels of pollution in the face of climate change.

We also thank you. Thank you for your commitment to #healthyhoods and your dedication to building our communities into the thriving places we know they can be.

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It’s no secret that climate change has challenged San Diego to rethink large environmental concepts, such as regional pollution and sustainability. As part of this process, the City of San Diego is in final revisions of the draft climate action plan – a plan that outlines how San Diego will address the harmful impacts of climate change in the next 50 years. This plan has strong goals that, if achieved, will create a healthier future for San Diegans by reducing pollution, relying more on clean energy, increasing transit, walking and biking opportunities, increasing our urban tree coverage and reducing waste.

EHC knows that certain communities in San Diego feel the impacts of climate change more imminently than others, particularly the neighborhoods already struggling with unhealthy levels air pollution, high energy bills and lack of access to transit, biking and walking.

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As the effects of climate change worsen, neighborhoods in San Diego’s urban core suffer significantly more because these neighborhoods:

• Have the highest rates of asthma hospitalization among children in the city
• Breathe the most polluted air from trucks, freeways and industrial sources
• Live in old, unhealthy homes lacking energy efficiency and solar energy needed to reduce unaffordable energy bills
• Lack access to safe, affordable and convenient transit, bicycling and walking options to access jobs, health care, parks, and cooling centers
• Face the highest rates of unemployment, underemployment and low-wage jobs

Ultimately, a plan with strong goals does not suffice if the plan doesn’t ensure that communities hit first and worst by climate change are helped most immediately.

That is why EHC urges San Diego City Council to recognize that not all neighborhoods in San Diego are impacted by equally and to prioritize resources accordingly to address these inequities.

That is why EHC says, “Start here. Start now.”

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In coalition with CERF, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, San Diego Coastkeeper, Sierra Club, IBEW, MAAC, California Nurses Association, San Diego 350, Climate Action Campaign, Center for Policy Initiatives, San Diego Audubon Society, Union Yes- Environmental Caucus, and City Heights Development Corporation we have gathered nearly 1,000 signatures supporting climate change solutions that ensure equity in the climate action plan.

This looks like:

  • Transportation justice: Invests in transit, bicycling, and pedestrian infrastructure in overburdened neighborhoods neighborhoods first, and puts people before freeways
  • Energy justice: Puts solar in overburdened neighborhoods, gives San Diegans a clean energy choice, and makes new and existing buildings energy efficient
  • Good jobs: Creates good-paying jobs for local residents
  • Climate change resilience: Protects our natural resources, wildlife, coastline, infrastructure, and public health from the harmful impacts of climate change

Together, we ask that the City of San Diego take action now, beginning in the neighborhoods impacted first and worst by climate change.

Will you join us?

For more information, please click here.

To get involved, please contact Monique López at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. (619) 474-0220 ext. 130.

The following op-ed, written by Policy Advocate Monique López, ran in San Diego Free Press on September 28, 2015.

Monique López speaking to community members protesting the Regional Transportation Plan outside of SANDAG

We all need to move, and how we move influences our quality of life. The time of our commute, the safety of our sidewalks, the quality of our air and the type of transportation options we have determine how well we live our lives. On October 9, 2015, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will decide how to invest $204 billion into our region’s transportation infrastructure.

This decision is critical to our livelihood. That much investment will have a tremendous impact on the lives of everyone in our region, particularly the lives of those in San Diego’s urban core where freeways intersect neighborhoods and transit, biking and walking infrastructure is scarce.

How these funds are invested will determine whether our region takes a step toward becoming a forward-thinking, sustainable place or whether we remain driving in circles, stuck in the incessant traffic jam that is our car-first mentality.

SANDAG’s current Regional Transportation Plan labels itself as a “balanced approach.” It claims to give equal attention to transportation options for people traveling by car as it does to those traveling by bike, bus and on foot. It claims to balance the need for better air quality with the need for efficient transportation.

In reality, SANDAG’s plan is anything but balanced.

After decades of prioritizing investment in freeway expansion and ignoring the needs of the most impacted communities, SANDAG should be investing the lion’s share of funds in underserved communities for transit and infrastructure that makes biking and walking safer.

People who live in traditionally underserved communities, including Barrio Logan, City Heights or parts of National City, Chula Vista or Imperial Beach, live with broken or nonexistent sidewalks, a lack of crosswalks to safely navigate traffic and a lack of bike lanes common in many traditionally funded communities. Residents living in a low income neighborhood in the City of San Diego, are ten times more likely to be hit by a car than those that live in most other neighborhoods. This horrifying statistic shouldn’t be a reality when we have $204 billion going toward local transportation improvements.

In San Diego, four freeways (I-5, SR-94, I-15, I-805) run through South Bay neighborhoods, and it’s no coincidence that these communities experience elevated cases of asthma, cancer and heart disease. SANDAG says it is “investing in strategies to relieve traffic congestion which causes air pollution in these communities, such as expanding freeways for carpool lanes and for transit.” This means, SANDAG plans to add freeway lanes to an already well-developed freeway, particularly in communities South of I-8.

Research shows, however, that adding more lanes doesn’t eliminate traffic congestion. This is not a solution, and not something the community wants. Building more lanes on the freeway will only lead to more cars on the road and more toxic pollution, which harms nearby communities the most. If you build it, they will drive.

Travel times between cars and public transit only furthers the obvious imbalance. In San Diego, the average commute time by car is typically 25 minutes. The same commute can take up to two or three times longer on public transit.

The Regional Transportation Plan should prioritize investment in transit to improve travel times, encouraging sustainable options and providing real travel options.

More cars driving on the road mean more fossil fuel emissions. More fossil fuel emissions mean more greenhouse gases, and more greenhouse gases mean more harmful effects of climate change.

SANDAG’s plan to expand freeways directly contradicts the City of San Diego’s Climate Plan goals to reduce local emissions and slow the effects of climate change. Instead, SANDAG should be striving to investment in transportation options that move the most people, in the most efficient, sustainable, healthy and equitable way. If SANDAG can acknowledge the glaring transportation inequality across our region and listen to the unified voice of the community, we can use our $204 billion to make everywhere in San Diego accessible and safe.

Since SANDAG passed its Regional Plan in 2011, it has received hundreds of requests from community representatives across the region, especially in the urban core, for a robust transit network and more investment in infrastructure that will make biking and walking safer in all communities. Communities have requested SANDAG refrain from continuing to add lanes to freeways that only increase the amount of cars, toxic pollution and disease without relieving traffic congestion in the long run. Despite a clear and united resident voice, there has been little-to-no movement in reprioritizing money from freeway expansion projects to transit and active transportation projects.

The 2015 Regional Plan’s freeway lane addition list looks nearly identical to the plan passed in 2011, and that is not a plan we can support.

Just imagine of what $204 billion could do to make San Diego accessible for everyone, everywhere. Where you can take public transit without spending three hours each way in a bus seat. Where you can walk your children to school on a safe sidewalk, away from street traffic. Where you can bike safely on the road with cars.

SANDAG’s plan to expand every freeway south of I-8 is an injustice. Residents in the communities most overburdened by air pollution have said enough.

Enough air pollution. Enough traffic. Enough climate change.

Environmental Health Coalition urges SANDAG to listen to the voice of community and create a truly balanced transportation plan that puts our region on the path to healthy communities.

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Freeways can wait! Our communities and our environment cannot. EHC says "no" to SANDAG's Regional Transportation Plan. The Plan expands freeways that make it harder for residents to get to work on transit. Community members have continually said "no" to expanding four major freeways running through the South Bay, including I-5, I-805, I-15, SR-94. These freeways cut through communities and elevate levels of air pollution, asthma and the effects of climate change.

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SANDAG's plan for our region's transportation future doesn't include the changes we need to see in our neighborhoods: investments in public transit, biking, and walking infrastructure before freeway expansion. EHC urges the SANDAG Board to vote no on Friday, October 9. 

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Read our full letter to SANDAG Board Members.

 The Movement for a Balanced Transportation Future

Read policy advocate Monique López's op-ed, "The Movement for a Balanced Transportation Future."

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On a sunny Saturday, we hosted our first-ever community bike ride for City Heights residents to pedal in support of the new bike infrastructure planned for City Heights. The area slated for improvements, 54th, University Avenue and Orange Avenue, is lined with schools and green space. The bike improvements offer the freedom of movement residents have advocated for since 2012. Residents were thrilled and ready to celebrate the over $17 million in dedicated funds for the North Park Mid-City Bikeways, and with the enthusiasm and dedication of organizers, sponsors and participants, the bike ride quickly transformed into something incredible.

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More than 100 people attended this community bike ride in celebration and support of transportation justice. The ride raised awareness and support for bicycle and pedestrian improvements such as bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks and road diets to make the streets of City Heights safer. It also gave our allies a platform to share their stories and build new partnerships. Everyone was having so much fun, residents who hadn’t been on a bike in years decided to join, and many loved it so much they made plans to get back on their bikes regularly again.

The strength and enthusiasm of the ride showed SANDAG, the City of San Diego and elected officials how much we care about transportation and climate justice. The ride also highlighted the unsung heroes of climate justice who are living the goals of the Climate Action Plan in the City of San Diego by walking, biking, and taking public transit as their main mode of transportation. Most importantly, the ride became an opportunity to build a stronger community and reclaim our streets. The ride gave a face to the bicycle commuting community of City Heights.

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In City Heights residents are 16 percent less likely to have access to a car than the average San Diegan and therefore, are walking, biking, and taking public transportation more. However, they’re 23 percent more likely to get hit by a car while biking and 80 percent more likely to get hit by a car while walking.

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Thank you to everyone who participated, you made a difference. We’d like to give special thanks to the sponsors and organizers of the ride also.

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Special thanks to DECO Bikes for bringing 25 free bikes for residents to use and toSuper Cocina for the amazing food and accommodating more than 100 hungry people. Special thanks to our community partners The Built Environment Team, City Heights Community Development Corporation, Community Leadership Association (ALC) and Bikes Del Pueblo. Also, thank you to Bridget Enderle of SANDAG for giving the residents an update on the North Park Mid-City Bikeway project.

Thank you, 

Monique Lopezsmaller
Monique López
Policy Advocate

EHC knows justice is achieved when empowered communities act together. In the last month, we've urged the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to put people before freeways when planning our region's transportation future and we've recently seen our hard work pay off.

These victories are possible because of your passionately donated time and money. Today, we ask you to support more change for our communities. Please join EHC today.

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Spring 2015 appeal english

A revolutionary move for transportation justice is right around the corner.

For the past several months, the community has been asking for more bicycling and walking options and public transit accesss. In close partnership with City Heighs Community Development Corporation, we've asked for alternatives that don't grow freeways, but give us healthier transportation options and improved mobility.

Today, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) heard our voices. Instead of only moving forward with freeway-focused planning that jeopardizes the health of our neighborhoods, it recommended the incorporation of $31 million for a test project that would allow public transit to run on the shoulder/in the median along SR-94 and parts of the 805 freeway during high-traffic times.

To make public transit more accesible, SANDAG is also looking into putting a bus stop in the Sherman Heights/Golden Hill neighborhoods.

With a strong and unified voice, today the community's recommendations for a healthy transportation future have become valid and potential options as SANDAG has agreed to include them in the review process.

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Policy advocate Monique Lopez says, "This starts the conversation in the region of how we do transportation planning. There's other ways that are more innovative and the community can stand behind than expanding freeways."

Working closely with City Heights Community Development Corporation, The MAAC Project and many community residents who live along the corridor, we would like to thank our elected officials who showed leadership in supporting innovative community-supported approach to improving mobility on the Martin Luther King, Jr. freeway corridor. Thank you Councilmember Alvarez, Councilmember Gloria, Councilmember Emerald, Councilmember Cole, Assemblymember Gonzalez and Assemblymember Weber. Additionally, we would like to thank SANDAG and Caltrans staff for their work on the project, for the continued open lines of communication and for being responsive to the community concerns and requests.

On Friday, July 24, SANDAG makes its final decision about transportation justice improvements in our communities. Until then, thank you for having a voice for a future of #healthyhoods and #familiesbeforefreeways. Follow us on Twitter and stay tuned.

We all need to move, and how we move influences our quality of life. Unfortunately, not all communities have the same access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation options such as public transit and biking and walking paths. That means some communities don't have access to the same quality of life just because of where they live.

Transportation justice is the equal access of all people to transportation options and in turn, an equal chance for a healthier life.

Here, a few of our community members define transportation justice in their own lives.

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To get involved, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, come to our next community meeting and contact Monique López at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. (619) 474-0220 ext. 130.

When the San Onofre power plant shut down, San Diego had an opportunity to power our city with clean energy that makes our communities healthier and builds thousands of local jobs. Instead the California Public Utilities Commission voted to meet two thirds of our new energy needs with a polluting natural-gas power plant in Carlsbad, and only one third of our energy with clean sources. 

This recent decision locks San Diego into at least 40 years of air pollution, high energy bills, climate change and a minimized opportunity to create thousands of local jobs. Of the five commissioners on the California Public Utilities Commission, only Commissioner Sandoval voted against the polluting power plant. Sandoval acknowledged that there is no legal basis to support a rushed approval of a dirty gas plant at the expense of clean energy solutions. 

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According to Policy Advocate Kayla Race says, “The Commission says they’re moving us toward a clean energy future, but it’s hard to believe when so many of their decisions takes us three steps backwards. This power plant locks San Diegans into higher energy bills for more pollution, which doesn’t make sense when we have cleaner options available that create local jobs and make our communities healthier.”

We need programs and policies that invest in local communities to create career-track green jobs and create a new clean energy economy. Maximizing energy efficiency and conservation, rooftop solar and other forms of local renewable energy should be California’s first priority in meeting the state’s energy needs. Only after all clean resources are exhausted should new, polluting power plants and transmission infrastructure be allowed.

Join the fight for climate justice by:

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Caltrans have proposed a plan to expand the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway (SR 94) that benefits none of the communities that it damages. Children who live in adjacent communities will likely have more asthma episodes as a result of the increased car pollution and the plan offers very minimal improvements to make biking and walking safer for people who live and work in and visit these communities. The freeway will carry a new transit line without a single bus stop in the communities it runs through.

The irony of the plan is glaring. The freeway named after one of greatest champions of equality is being expanded at the expense of lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words could not be any truer today than they once were. He said,

“Urban transit systems in most American cities, for example, have become a genuine civil rights issue – and a valid one – because the layout of rapid-transit systems determines the accessibility of jobs to the black community [and other communities of color]. If transportation systems in American cities could be laid out so as to provide an opportunity for poor people to get meaningful employment, then they could begin to move into the mainstream of American life.”

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This injustice may continue if the community’s voice is not heard by SANDAG.

Better plans exist that benefit all San Diegans.

We should apply innovative community-based solutions by turning existing freeway space into transit only lanes or convert an existing general purpose lane for carpool and transit-only use.

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We should improve transit options for all by having bus stops in all communities.

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We should adequately invest in adjacent communities to improve safety conditions for people walking, biking and transit use.

SANDAG and Caltrans will give an update on the plan and its impacts to surrounding communities on May 20th at 2 p.m. If you believe in transportation justice and clean air for all communities, sign our letter, contact Monique at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. and attend the meeting.

Did you know: Every time you purchase a non-food item at the store, a percentage of the taxes you see on your receipt go to fund local transportation projects?

This sales tax is called "TransNet." The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), collects the tax and distributes a small amount of that funding to cities in San Diego County.

The City of San Diego gets close to 30-million dollars each year, in addition to other federal and state funds, to decide what type of improvements to local streets and sidewalks.

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Start Here - Overburdened Communities Need Help Most

We recommend that the City prioritize transportation projects in communities that are:

  • most impacted by air pollution due to cars and trucks on local streets and freeways;
  • have greatest percentages of children with asthma; and
  • have the greatest risk of being hit by car while walking or biking.

These communities include City Heights, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Barrio Logan and San Ysidro.

Start Now - Here's How

So how can the City of San Diego use its funds for transportation justice? It can begin by transforming streets and public space into a place where it is safe for people to walk, bike, take transit and drive, or as we like to call it: "Complete Streets."

Complete Streets means streets are not just built for cars, but for all modes of transportation. When a city builds infrastructure that accommodates more than automobiles, it's been shown to increase other modes of transportation drastically.

Complete Streets have roundabouts to slow down traffic, wide sidewalks to encourage walking, protected bike lanes to separate bicyclists from traffic and streetlights to name a few.

The City needs to dedicate funding to make Complete Streets possible.

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Everyone Wants Clean Air

Currently, the City of San Diego has a draft Climate Action Plan that sets goals to increase biking, walking and public transit. This is important because 55 percent of the pollution contributing to climate change comes from people driving alone in their car.

To reach our goal of more walking, biking and taking public transit, the City should at least match their transportation budget to the amount needed to build the streets and sidewalks it takes to accomplish climate goals.

Your Community, Your Voice

There are a number of projects that need to move forward in our communities to make it safer and more convenient to walk, bike, or take public transit. If you know of a transportation need, such as a dangerous intersection, missing crosswalks or bike lanes in your community, contact Monique Lopez at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

We must work together to ensure that our community priorities are included in the City's budget and build #healthyhoods one bike lane, sidewalk and transit stop at a time.

You may have heard the buzz about the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan, but what does it mean and why does it matter? We’ve broken it down so you can understand how our city is handling climate change and how to get involved.

The problems with climate change

Climate change hits our neighborhoods first and worst

What is a Climate Action Plan?

What does the draft Climate Action Plan leave out?

Our solution

Take action

What they’re saying

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The problems with climate change

Climate change can't be seen or touched, but every day our families are affected by it and the pollution that causes it. The thick, dirty air from cars and industries harm our environment and make us sick. And climate change effects, from sea-level rise along our coast, to extreme heat waves and drought, impact our region and our lives more each day.

Learn more about the harmful effects of climate change in San Diego here.

Climate change hits our neighborhoods first and worst

All neighborhoods in San Diego are impacted by climate change, but not all neighborhoods are impacted equally. As the effects of climate change worsen, some urban neighborhoods such as Barrio Logan, City Heights, and southeastern and southern San Diego suffer significantly more.

Climate change hits hardest in the neighborhoods that:

Without immediate action in our communities, we will see more heat waves, drought, worsened air quality, increased energy bills and more freeway pollution. The time to start is now, and the place to start is here.

What is a Climate Action Plan?

The City of San Diego is developing a plan to reduce the pollution that causes climate change--which mostly comes from cars, trucks and dirty power plants—and boost our resilience in a changing climate. San Diego’s plan will reduce pollution by relying more on clean energy, increasing transit, walking and biking opportunities, increasing our urban tree coverage and reducing waste.

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What does the Climate Action Plan leave out?

The current draft of the Climate Action Plan falls short in two major areas:

  1. It fails to prioritize neighborhoods most impacted by climate change for transportation and energy benefits, and
  2. It doesn’t do enough to reduce energy use in buildings.

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Our solution: Start here, start now! Put our neighborhoods first in the Climate Action Plan!

The City of San Diego should take action on climate now, starting in the neighborhoods impacted first and worst by climate change. Sign our letter to tell the Mayor and City to strengthen and approve an enforceable and comprehensive Climate Action Plan that achieves:

  • Transportation justice: Invests in transit, bicycling, and pedestrian infrastructure in our neighborhoods first, and puts people before freeways
  • Energy justice: Puts solar in our neighborhoods, gives San Diegans a clean energy choice, and makes new and existing buildings energy efficient
  • Good jobs: Creates good-paying jobs for local residents
  • Climate change resilience: Protects our natural resources, wildlife, coastline, infrastructure, and public health from the harmful impacts of climate change
  • Bold goals, state laws and the City General Plan: Achieves the draft climate plan’s goals to cut carbon in half, use alternative transit for half commutes, use 100 percent clean energy, increase our urban forests, and reduce waste

Put Our First

Take Action

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What They’re Saying

City Councilmembers join the community in demanding the City’s Climate Action Plan start here and start now, in our urban neighborhoods most impacted by climate change.

Irma Ortiz, resident of Logan Heights, said:

“Residents in my neighborhood already suffer from air quality that’s damaging to breathe, energy bills that are difficult to pay and public transit that’s hard to access. My community has needed the City to act on climate and pollution for a long time, and I hope the mayor’s plan ensures we will see action soon.” 

Councilmember David Alvarez said:

“Neighborhoods in my district and others like it have been waiting their turn for investments in solar energy, affordable and convenient public transit, bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure, efficient and healthy homes and improved air quality. We can’t afford to wait any longer. We need to act here and now to ensure our neighborhoods are resilient against climate change impacts.”

Councilmember Marti Emerald said:

“I positively support the adoption of a strong Climate Action Plan for the City of San Diego. Climate change impacts disadvantaged communities, including many in District 9, hardest. We need to make sure that the economic, transportation and public health needs of the citizens in disadvantaged neighborhoods are adequately addressed by the plan.”

Councilmember Myrtle Cole said:

"San Diego's working families must be equipped to be resilient in a changing climate and create healthy, sustainable investment and quality jobs in communities that have historically been underserved.” 

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When I speak about transportation justice to SANDAG, I keep hearing the same buzz phrase: “balanced approach”. SANDAG claims the transportation plan for our region is a “balanced approach” because some funding is going to public transit, bicycling and walking improvements.

I think we have different opinions on what it means to be “balanced”.

Let’s imagine there are two children. Let’s say I give one child two pieces of chocolate and I give the other child twenty. The child who gets two may say, “Hey, that’s not fair,” and he may be right.

To remedy the situation, I give them both twenty more.

Does that make it balanced? Does that make it equal?

No. The children still began at a place of imbalance. If I continue to give them both the same amount of chocolates, one will still have more chocolate than the other because they didn’t begin at the same place. They were imbalanced from the start.

This example isn’t so different from the transportation conversation I’m having at SANDAG.

Where do we see imbalance?

1. Neighborhoods

Just like the chocolates, when one community begins from a place of very little transportation access, poor sidewalks, dangerous bike paths, poor air quality, and more (two chocolates) and another community has plenty of transit access, wide sidewalks, paved bike paths and toxic-free air, (twenty chocolates), investing the same amount in both communities who are severely imbalanced from the start doesn’t make it balanced. Ignoring the glaring deficit of one community in comparison to another is unjust and, as the child with two chocolates may say, unfair.

2. Funding

For the past few decades, freeways have received significantly more funding than infrastructure that supports public transit, bike paths and sidewalks. We know this to be true because it is difficult, sometimes impossible, to get to certain places without a car.

3. Travel Time

When it comes to competitive travel times between modes of transportation the imbalance is obvious. In San Diego, the average commute time by car is typically 25 minutes while it can be up to two or three times longer on public transit.

4. Public Health

As a result of freeways running through or near their neighborhoods, certain communities experience elevated cases of asthma, cancer and heart disease. SANDAG may say, “But we are investing in strategies to relieve the air pollution in these communities, such as expanding freeways for carpool lanes and for transit.” But this is not a solution to toxic air pollution because we know freeway expansion only worsens air quality and the effects of climate change.

5. Safety

Sadly, residents in low-income San Diego neighborhoods are ten times more likely to be hit by a car. Walk around San Diego’s underserved communities and see the broken or nonexistent sidewalks, lack of cross walks and public transit stops or pedestrian-friendly infrastructure for yourself. You don’t have to be a city planner to know that certain neighborhoods have considerably “less candy”, so to speak.

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Transportation justice means true balance.

When EHC talks about transportation justice, we’re talking about the need for true balance and we are disappointed that SANDAG proposes a plan that only perpetuates a legacy of imbalance.

If SANDAG really wants a balanced transportation plan for the region, they will:

  • Build efficient transit, bike and walk infrastructure
  • Prioritize transit, bike and walk projects first before freeway expansion
  • Make taking transit not an inconvenient form of travel
  • Apply innovative transportation solutions that improve the air quality in low-income communities
  • Fund transit, bike and walk infrastructure first in overburdened communities that have been neglected for too long

We can have a balanced transportation plan in our region, but it will require a new approach to what the term balance means and recognition of communities that have been behind from the start. If one child has two candies and one child has 20, why not give the first child 18 more and implement the values of equity and justice?

Thank you for supporting transportation justice.

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To get involved, please Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. today.

Monique Lopez, policy advocate

SANDAG board meeting 3

Today, more than 30 community residents and allies traveled two hours and 60 miles to Barona Casino to make their voice heard. They traveled to tell SANDAG board members not to gamble away the region’s future by continuing to heavily invest in freeway expansion projects when the community is longing for improvements to public transit, bicycling and walking. They’re longing for #transportationjustice.

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Today we heard from community members, students and local organizations including City Heights Community Development Corporation, BAME Community Development Corporation, Center on Policy Initiatives, Cleveland National Forest Foundation and the San Diego Housing Federation.

  • Alma, a resident of Sherman Heights, spoke about the need to move away from freeway expansion by telling her own story. Alma lives near the SR-94, where there is a proposal to build extra lanes. Alma’s kids already suffer from asthma, much in part triggered by the air pollution from cars on the freeway neighboring her home.
  • Avital Aboody from BAME Community Development Corporation spoke about the need to make transit ridership a viable option compared to driving in a car. In San Diego the average commute time by car is about 25 minutes, whereas transit may take two to three times as long. By investing in public transit systems we can make transit a more realistic option for residents.
  • A student from San Diego State University spoke about the need for better bike and pedestrian infrastructure. He rides his bicycle to and from school every day and often finds himself in dangerous situations due to the lack of good quality and safe infrastructure.

These are just a few examples to show how SANDAG’s prioritization of freeway expansion is not in the best interest of the community. Residents continue to demand a plan that prioritizes transit, bicycling and walking infrastructure projects before any new freeway projects.

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While SANDAG has taken small steps toward building a more sustainable Regional Transportation Plan, the community’s needs remain unmet. The region continues to ask that SANDAG:

  • Create a plan that deprioritizes freeway expansion projects to prioritize and invest in public transit, bicycling and walking instead. This leads to greater transportation access and significantly reduces air pollution in communities already overburdened from the air quality impacts of freeways in their neighborhoods.
  • Once this plan is developed, treat it as a legitimate option by putting it through the same environmental review process as the freeway-centered plan. Without this review process, our #transportationjustice plan doesn’t stand an equal chance.

To get involved in demanding transportation justice, please contact Monique Lopez today: 619-474-0220 x 130 or email her at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

 

With your help, we’ve been calling for SANDAG to create a #transportationjustice plan for our communities for years. Transportation justice means all neighborhoods have equal access to public transit, bicycling and walking opportunities and no one is overburdened with the pollution from cars on neighborhood streets or freeways.

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Finally in September 2014, SANDAG agreed to look into the costs and benefits of such a plan. Now in January 2015, they released a potential plan but it still lacks the needs identified by the community.

So transportation justice advocates ask that:

  • SANDAG create a plan that deprioritizes freeway expansion projects to prioritize and invest in public transit, bicycling and walking instead. This leads to greater transportation access and significantly reduces air pollution in communities already overburdened from the air quality impacts of freeways in their neighborhoods.
  • Once this plan is developed, SANDAG treat it as a legitimate option by putting it through the same environmental review process as the freeway-centered plan. Without this review process, our #transportationjustice plan doesn’t stand an equal chance.

What are they saying?

  • SANDAG claims there is not enough funding to support operations and maintenance for more public transit, bicycling and walking paths. But the truth remains that SANDAG doesn’t have enough funds to support operation and maintenance for freeway infrastructure, yet they still vote to expand freeways. This makes it clear that if there is a will for funding there is a way, SANDAG just has it’s priorities wrong.

We need you to help them focus on what really matters: Accessible and affordable public transit. Safe infrastructure for bicycling and walking. Less freeways, cars and trucks. Cleaner air. Lower asthma rates. Healthier San Diego. Sustainable future.

Here are two things you can do to make your voice heard:

  • Attend the SANDAG hearing

SANDAG is discussing the plan publicly on January 29 and we need your voice to be heard and your presence to be felt. To get involved in demanding transportation justice, please contact Monique Lopez today: 619-474-0220 x 130 or email her at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

  • Tell SANDAG that we demand transportation justice.

Right now, you can tell five of the SANDAG board members who will be evaluating the transportation plan. You can start with the message below, feel free to alter the content to make it meaningful to your own neighborhood.

City of San Diego
Todd Gloria, Council Member
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City of Chula Vista
Hon. Mary Salas
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City of Encinitas
Hon. Lisa Shaffer, Councilmember 
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City of Santee
Hon. Jack Dale, Councilmember 
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City of Solana Beach
Hon. Lesa Heebner, Mayor
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Email template:

Dear _______,

My name is _______. I am deeply concerned by the transportation scenarios proposed by SANDAG.

The freeway-heavy plan is unjust and doesn't meet the community's needs for transportation justice.

Transportation justice means all neighborhoods have equal access to public transit, bicycling and walking opportunities and no one is overburdened with the pollution from cars on neighborhood streets or freeways.

The plan builds more freeways that will continue to pollute our air, raise the rate of childhood asthma, and will not ease traffic congestion. I ask you to advocate for a plan that deprioritizes freeway expansion projects and invest in public transit, bicycling and walking instead and treat it as a legitimate option by putting it through the same environmental review process as the freeway-centered plan.

Thank you for representing the people’s demands for transportation justice.

Freight1Clean air is a human right. And right now is a key time to make sure our state’s leaders make a decision with that fact in mind.

California’s trucks, trains and ships emit a tremendous amount of pollution into the air we breathe, robbing us of our health (especially the health of children) and contributing significantly to climate change. But we can change all of this for the better with just one signature.

Freight3The California Air Resources Board has developed a strategy that shifts what our trucks, trains and ships use to a much cleaner and much healthier system so we can breathe easier -- literally. Now, we need to show our support.

We need your help to tell California how much we need clean air. Join EHC and clean air avocates around the state in urging California to adopt a strong policy that shifts trucks, trains and ships away from pollution and creates #healthyhoods for us all.

Please sign the petition now!

 

Last week, SANDAG has had their Regional Transportation Plan (passed in 2011) rejected a second time by an appeals court for failing to offer plans that address how future planning will decrease air quality and contribute to climate change

The court has stated, as our community has advocated for, that San Diego needs a plan that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from car traffic. 

SANDAG will be making a decision soon on whether or not to use more of our public funds to challenge the court’s ruling. Or, SANDAG can chose to do the right thing and move forward with a plan that prioritizes transit, biking and pedestrian projects first.

Choosing to fight the courts' findings will continue to waste taxpayer funds and further entrench the San Diego region in an unsustainable, unhealthy and inefficient transportation future.

TJ 

freeway smallThe San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) recently voted to expand our freeways by adding carpool lanes and bus-only lanes. Research shows that even coupling freeway expansion with carpooling and transit is not an effective way to relieve traffic congestion. As transportation justice advocates we know the solution to our meeting our transportation needs in a clean and healthy way means increased public transit, bicycling and walking paths before we resort to freeway expansion.

Freeway expansion doesn’t relieve traffic congestion.

Expanded freeways lead to more driving, more pollution and more greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere. Freeway expansion does not lead to less traffic. Repeat: Freeway expansion does not lead to less traffic. A study at UC Berkley covering thirty California counties between 1973 and 1990 found that for every ten percent increase in roadway capacity, traffic increased nine percent with a four years’ time. If we build the roads, cars will fill them.

Freeway expansion doesn’t support our economy.

Did you know expanding only one to two miles of state route 94 costs a whopping $500-600 million? Alternatively, this money could go to significant public transit upgrades that would stimulate our economy much more than freeway expansion. Research affirms that for every $10 million invested in public transit...freeway small2

  • Over 570 jobs are created in transit operation
  • Business sees a $30 million increase in sales
  • $15 million is saved by both highway and transit users

Freeway expansion worsens air quality and the effects of climate change.

Adding lanes to a freeway (even carpool lanes) still increases the amount of pollution each freeway emits. More lanes mean more cases of asthma, heart disease and cancer for communities near freeways who are already overburdened with poor air quality.


Why building new roads doesn't ease congestion (An excerpt from Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream). By. Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck. North Point Press, 2000, pp. 88-94. 

Litman, Todd. Generated Traffic and Induced Travel Implications for Transport Planning. 24 April 2014. Victoria Transport Policy Institute. 

Snyder, Tanya . Study: Building Roads to Cure Congestion Is an Exercise in Futility. May 31, 2011. 

Downs, Anthony. Why Traffic Congestion Is Here to Stay... and Will Get Worse. Access. NUMBER 25, FALL 2004

Public Transportation and the Nation’s Economy: A Quantitative Analysis of Public Transportation’s Economic Impact; Prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. with Economic Development Research Group

 

Do you believe all neighborhoods should have equal access to alternative transportation and no communities should be overburdened with the pollution from cars on neighborhood streets or freeways?20140912 104004 small

Welcome to the team of transportation justice advocates. We need your help. 

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) plays a critical role in transportation justice because it determines what our streets look like. It decides where we get trolley stops, how much public transit costs and where bicycling and walking paths go, to name a few.

As transportation justice advocates, we demand to see transit and active transportation (biking/walking infrastructure) prioritized before we begin building more roads and expanding our freeways. We need what we're calling a transit first plan. Read below to learn more about how you can make your voice heard for your community.

recortada smallWhat does the transportation justice community want?

We want SANDAG to:

  • Adopt a plan for San Diego that prioritizes transit projects that specifically benefit overburdened communities
  • Postpone freeway projects to the end of the plan because they will most negatively impact overburdened communities
  • Put the transit first plan through the same review process as the other plans to ensure it's considered an equal option.

The good news:

SANDAG is developing a plan in response to the commnunity's demand for transit and active transportation (biking/walking infrastructure) projects in the early stages of the plan. This is a good thing and what the community has asked for. However, this plan hasn't completely reflected what the community needs.

The not-so-good news:

This plan falls short by scheduling freeway projects to be built at the same time as transit and active transportation options. 

This is a big problem.

Building freeways before transit and active transportation systems are fully functional is problematic for a variety of reasons.

It will deter people from using transit, negatively impact air quality and further contribute to climate change in our communities which already suffer from high air pollution and asthma rates. We want to see transit projects implemented before building freeways. This way, we can see the full the effect of our new transit systems and then evaluate if we need to expand freeways at all. 

Additionally, every plan has to undergo a thorough review process. If the transit first plan doesn't go through this, it cannot be an option for SANDAG to implement when the time comes. As of right now, only the freeway-heavy plans are being reviewed; meaning only the freeway-heavy are viable options.

We can't let the transit first plan become just another planning document that sits on the shelf. We demand it be reviewed and proposed as a real option for SANDAG to consider.

Want to get involved? 

We hope you do. Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. to join the transportation justice movement: (619) 474 0220 x 130.

 

 

SANDAG 5 1What is going on with transportation justice?

SANDAG is in the process of composing the Regional Transportation Plan which determines how, when and which transportation projects will get funding for the next 35 years. Currently, they're considering scenarios that prioritize freeway expansion while our community residents have prioritized bicycling, walking and public transit instead.

On Friday, September 12, nearly 50 community residents supported a transportation justice network scenario that puts people first by investing in transit, bicycling, and walking projects prior to freeway expansion. Despite great opposition, the SANDAG Board voted to move forward with a scenario focusing heavily on freeway expansion.

SANDAG 6As a result of the residents who protested the freeway-focused scenarios, SANDAG is considering developing a network scenario that puts bicycling, walking and public transit first, but it wouldn't be on the table for consideration to be implemented for at least another four years. For decades, Los Angeles invested in freeway expansion as a means of traffic congestion relief, yet this type of planning and investment only yielded more traffic, gridlock and air pollution. Let's not have the San Diego region learn the same hard lesson that our northern neighbor did. Let's be proactive and implement a plan that puts transit, bicycling and walking first.

A community resident from City Heights said it best, "Freeways can wait, but the community can't." Freeway expansion is hazardous to our region's health, safety, quality of life, economy and future. We need a Regional Transportation Plan that puts people first, not cars.

What can we do about it?
SANDAG 8Become engaged in developing a transportation justice network scenario, which puts transit, bicycling and walking investments first. We need you to join us in demanding San Diego prioritize public transit, bicycling and walking before freeway expansion. You can speak up today by sending the below email to advocate for transportation justice. Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

Suggested Text:

As a resident of San Diego, I support a network scenario that includes development of public transit, bicycling and walking projects first over the next ten-year period, halting any freeway expansion until the transit system is fully built and operational. I hope to see these initiatives focused first on the San Diego urban core and overburdened communities most effected by the lack of affordable and efficient transit options.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Recipients:

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For more information, contact Monique Lopez Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. or phone: 619-474-0220 x 130.

Thank you for supporting transportation justice!

 

Nearly two-thirds of San Diegans surveyed prefer to invest in public transit, bicycling and walking paths before freeway expansion, yet SANDAG has prioritized freeway expansion. At a press conference last week, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), 15 supporting organizations and residents asked SANDAG to consider a third transportation scenario that deprioritizes freeway expansion.

Transportation justice SANDAG 5

Speakers, including Monique Lopez of EHC, Bruce Reznik of San Diego Housing Federation and Alicia Sebastian of the MAAC Project, specified what a third scenario includes and explained why public transit, bicycling and walking paths are the first step toward transportation that works for all community members.

Transportation justice SANDAG 2

Transportation justice SANDAG 3

Transportation justice SANDAG 4The third scenario represents an opportunity to improve air quality and quality of life for residents of underserved neighborhoods who can't afford public transit, struggle with hours of daily commuting and can't safely walk or bike on existing streets.

It's time for the City of San Diego to secure a healthy future in the face of environmental changes. Tell the Mayor and City Council to prepare our communities for the effects of climate changeand read more information below.

Here's the not so good news:

Low-income communities of color have long been on the front lines of pollution from dirty energy, transportation and more, and now we're being hit first and worst by climate change. With a lack of financial resources and access to affordable healthcare, our community is most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This includes:Solar installs

Here's the good news:

We can take action now to reduce pollution and the effects of climate change in San Diego with simple changes in our daily lives. The choices we make today—like biking and walking more, using less water and energy and choosing environmentally sustainable products— are little things that have a large impact on our community's health.

We also need strong and immediate government leadership. EHC has worked for years with the City of San Diego on a Climate Action Plan that reduces pollution and protects us from the harmful effects of climate change. In February 2014, the City released a draft plan with strong potential to protect a healthy future for San Diego.

Transit photoNow we need your help to finalize the plan. Sign our letter and ask the city to prepare us for the environmental effects of climate change by approving an enforceable Climate Action Plan that: 

  • Gives San Diegans a clean energy choice
  • Puts solar in all communities
  • Makes our homes green, healthy and efficient
  • Ensures safe, clean, convenient and affordable public transit
  • Provides walkable and bikeable neighborhoods for all by investing in communities most overburdened by air pollution, transportation inequity and climate impacts
  • Creates good-paying, local jobs for residents

What will your community look like in 50 years? 100 years? Join other San Diegans in supporting a sustainable city- sign our letter today.

What is climate change?

Climate change can't be seen or touched, but every day our families are affected by it. The thick, dirty air and emissions from cars, industries and the generation of electricity harm our environment. The pollution causes heat waves, wildfires and flooding, putting public health at serious risk. Click here or on the image below to read our billingual brochure and learn more about how climate change affects your family and what you can do to can help.

La Maestra brochure cover

How does it affect your family's health?

Climate change makes it hard to breathe. The air triggers asthma attacks, causing children to miss school and parents to miss work.
Climate change creates longer and more severe heat waves. Hot weather makes it harder to spend time outdoors. Children, seniors and homes without air conditioning are threatening the most by the heat.
Climate change causes drought, reducing our access to fresh water and increasing the risk of wildfires.
Climate change adds to sea-level rise, which threatens out homes and coastal communities with floods.

Take action in your community.
Stand up for clean air and healthy changes in your community, such as:

  • La Maestra poster EnglishSolar panels on our rooftops
  • Safe and affordable public transit
  • Walkable and bikeable neighborhoods
  • Good paying, local jobs
  • Reduction of air pollution from industries

Take public transit or ride your bicycle instead of driving a car.

Take action at home.
You can reduce pollution right now by making your home energy efficient:

  • Unplug items when you are not using them, including cell phone chargers, TVs and coffee machines
  • Turn off the lights when not in use
  • Take five–minute showers
  • Use curtains to keep your house cool/warm

Together, we can reduce pollution in our community and at home. Contact your healthcare professional for more information. (Back to top)

 

Each of us is a commuter. We commute to work, to school, to the grocery store and to the homes of our friends and family, making transportation an important issue affecting our everyday lives. It is not why we commute, but how we commute that matters. 

Our transportation choices impact our public health, with cars polluting our air and catalyzing climate change and environmental health hazards. When we take public transit or ride our bicycle, we reduce our risk for pollution and pollution-related illnesses, such as asthma.

Unfortunately, not all communities have the same access to healthy and safe transportation options, such as public transit and biking and walking paths. Increased access to sustainable, safe and affordable transportation options means increased access to well-paying jobs, good schools and affordable housing options. In short, better transportation options mean better quality of life.

Green bike lane city heightsThese safe, reliable and affordable transportation options are what we call transportation justice. Transportation justice means all neighborhoods have equal access to alternative transportation and no communities are overburdened with the pollution from cars on neighborhood streets or freeways. It means that the risk of being hit by a car is reduced because bike paths and sidewalks are plentiful. It means public transit is affordable, accessible and convenient and families don't have to walk an hour to the grocery store because they can't afford to take the bus. It means a person does not have to travel two hours each way on the bus to get to and from work, when the same trip a car ride would only take 20 minutes.

Goals of the transportation justice movement include:

Accessibility – Increase transportation options and affordability giving community member's greater access to goods, jobs and services.
Increased public health and safety - Improve infrastructure that reduces air pollution and pedestrian and bicyclist collisions by cars. 
Equity in investment and benefits – Prioritize transportation investments for historically underserved communities and there is an equitable distribution of transportation benefits by providing high quality services to all.

In 2014, elected officials from the San Diego region work to determine how to best invest money in transportation and what the future of transportation options should look like. Get involved to make your voice heard and ensure transportation justice for all. Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. to learn more information or get involved: (619) 474-0220 ext. 130.

Please read the original post by California Environmental Justice Alliance here

President Obama recently announced his new plan to address climate change. The plan proposes new rules to cut carbon dioxide emissions from the nation's remaining coal fired power plants. Announced through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the President and the EPA propose to cut carbon dioxide pollution from the nation's existing power plants 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

The President's plan includes goals to accelerate clean energy through increased funding for technology and doubling wind and solar electricity generation by 2020. It intends to promote energy efficiency and conservation in homes, businesses, and factories by increasing loans for energy efficiency and conservation and setting targets for cutting energy waste in multi-family homes. 

Climate map US 2012

A climate plan needs bold environmental justice provisions

A successful national climate plan must start with the communities most directly impacted. Communities of color are often left out of the benefit of environmental and energy policies, while struggling with the health and quality of life impacts of fossil fuel use and production on a daily basis. Although President Obama's plan takes a big step forward and includes a section on environmental justice saying the EPA has taken comments from environmental justice communities nationally, it is vague in how it will address impacts on low-income communities of color who already bear the burden of dirty energy and are first in line to feel the impacts of climate change.

Especially as the Environmental Protection Agency just celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Executive Order on Environmental Justice and released a new "strategy" to achieving environmental justice, called "Plan EJ", Obama's plan merely says that "the EPA will consider environmental justice issues." The plan must be more specific and bold as to how it will address environmental justice.

In order for President Obama's Climate Plan to help our country make the transition we desperately need, it must start with the communities who are most highly impacted by our dirty energy economy.

Don't be fooled by natural gas

The President is also solely focused on transitioning off coal power plants using primarily natural gas, a fossil fuel and one form of dirty energy. While coal must be phased out, it is a dangerous and faulty move to replace coal with natural gas. Natural gas power plants are often located in poor communities and are extremely detrimental to our climate and health. Natural gas releases dangerous levels of greenhouse gases, including methane which has 20 times the global warming potential than carbon dioxide. The President and the EPA need to set aggressive targets to transition to 100 percent renewable energy, instead of relying on dirty energy.

By focusing on natural gas a "bridge fuel", the President and the EPA encourage extreme oil and natural gas extraction techniques. In California, communities experience extreme oil and gas extraction in examples such as the Chevron oil refinery in poor Laotian and Black communities in Richmond to fracking in Latino communities in the Central Valley and to the massive build out of dirty gas plants in Southern California. The Presidents' support for natural gas is particularly out of touch with environmental justice communities who have demanded to transition off of fossil fuel for years.

Yes to clean energy, but let's make it local

marianalopezkids1The California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) and EHC applaud President Obama for his goal of increasing solar and wind in the nation. We also challenge the President to increase local distributed generation (such as rooftop solar), especially in communities most impacted and disadvantaged communities. Low-income communities and communities of color rarely benefit from large scale solar and wind farms, and these projects can have their own negative health impacts. By focusing on local distributed generation, our communities can reap the health and climate benefits, and get the advantage of the local economic and job development.

CEJA and EHC appreciate Obama's plan to increase standards and funding for efficiency and conservation, and urge that the nation follow California's example by creating a clear "hierarchy" of energy saving strategies: prioritize conservation, demand response, energy efficiency and renewable energy, before any natural gas is considered.

CEJA and EHC applaud President Obama for his new climate plan, but encourages the President, the Environmental Protection Agency and Congress to make a clear commitment to two of the most critical elements to any successful climate change plan: ensuring benefits for the communities most directly impacted, and ending all dirty energy, including extreme oil and natural gas extraction. While the current plan takes important steps, only with these elements will we be able to truly save our climate.

The wildfires in San Diego recently have been nothing short of unpredictable and scary. For the past week we have been eyeing our backyards with suspicious caution and watching the news with angst. Our hearts go out to the families and communities that have been affected by these tragic fires.

These wildfires are one example of how much harm climate change is having on our region, and why we are asking San Diego to take immediate action on a strong climate plan that will prepare residents for the effects of climate change and reduce the pollution that causes climate change. 

But these effects are not only a concern to San Diego. On May 6, the White House released its third National Climate Assessment to give the most updated scientific report on how climate change is directly impacting different areas of the country. The report identifies impacts on the Southwest, including:

  • Snowpack and streamflow amounts are projected to decline in parts of the Southwest, decreasing surface water supply reliability for cities, agriculture, and ecosystems. (p. 78)
  • Increased warming, drought, and insect outbreaks, all caused by or linked to climate change, have increased wildfires and impacts to people and ecosystems in the Southwest. (p. 78)
  • Short-term (seasonal or shorter) droughts are expected to intensify in most U.S. regions. Longer-term droughts are expected to intensify in large areas of the Southwest, southern Great Plains, and Southeast. (p. 42)

For a comprehensive list of how drastically climate change is affecting our environment, our communities and our everyday lives, click here

Climate change is something that affects us all. These wildfires, the rising temperatures, the drought and much more are making it harder for us to enjoy where we live with the people we care about. Join us in urging the City of San Diego to adopt a plan that wastes no time in reducing the pollution that causes climate change and preparing us for the unavoidable effects of climate change. Click here to learn more and find out how you can do your part to reduce pollution and donate to EHC today to help us ensure our region takes strong and immediate action to combat climate change.

 

Come to tomorrow night's open house at the Port of San Diego and demand clean air, healthy communities and environmental justice become priorities for the next 50 years in San Diego. The workshop runs from 6-8 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (140 East 12th St, National City, 91950.) 

Click here for EHC's suggested talking points

Port sid voorakkara and rafael castellanos for port commissionWe have a great opportunity to get involved in shaping the future of our community. The Port is currently developing its guidelines and plan for the next 50 years. While it has taken some actions to address the negative impacts of its pollution on Barrio Logan and Old Town National City -- which experience some of the highest cumulative pollution impacts in the state-- we need it to adopt a clear commitment to clean air, healthy communities and environmental justice in San Diego. Clean air, healthy communities, and environmental justice are not too much to ask.

We want the Port to commit to taking all available action to reduce the cumulative health burdens on its neighbors as it continues to grow and develop.

Please attend on Tuesday, April 22 or Wednesday, April 30 and let the Port know we care about clean air, healthy communities and environmental justice today and for the future of our children. If you are unable to make the workshops, you can still make your voice heard by taking the five minute survey

Click here for more information on the open houses.

Did you know the Port of San Diego oversees 5,333 acres of public land? Of that 5,333 acres, 3,520 are water and 1,813 are land along the shore. Yet only eight percent of the 5,333 acres is parks, while 70 percent is currently "leasable land," also known as available space for big, industrial manufacturers or hotels and commercial operations.

Can you imagine how different San Diego would be if more than eight percent of the Port's 5,333 acres included parks, paths, benches, viewpoints and more for community members? 

Port of San Diego tenantsWe have a chance to tell the Port that is what we want. Now, the Port of San Diego is asking for our feedback as it drafts a new plan for land and water use for the next 50 years. Eight environmental organizations came together to recommend guiding principles to include in the Port's vision for the San Diego Bay, and now we must join them and make the community voice heard even louder. 

Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey (also available in Spanish) and let the Port know you want:

• Clean air
• Clean water
• Safe, reliable and accessible public transit
• Protection of natural resources in and along the Bay
• Increased recreational opportunities along the Bay, including access to the waterfront, parks and more

With your help, we can request the Port of San Diego lead the way in environmental justice. The Port has an opportunity to set an excellent example for the city by prioritizing nearby residential communities and pollution reduction, just as they did with the recent start-up of Shorepower on the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal. 

EHC has already prepared its recommendations, now it's your turn to recommend the Port take action by:

• Pursuing immediate action to improve public health by reducing air and environmental pollution
• Ensuring that Port and tenant operations don't continue to negatively effect the health and safety of adjacent residential communities
• Commiting to taking all available action to reduce the cumulative health burdens on Barrio Logan and National City
• Proactively ensuring that ecology of San Diego Bay is enhanced, not degraded, over the next 50 years
• Adopting clean air and clean freight policies that are aggressive and effective
• Implementing the Climate Action Plan and meet local pollution reduction goals and develop a plan to protect areas from sea level rise and other effects of climate change

Join us in specifically asking the Port to make San Diego's next 50 years clean, safe and healthy – a future we all deserve.

 

sunset at Mission BeachTired of seeing your energy bills go up while your air keeps getting polluted from dirty power plants? Brace yourself; we might be in for more of both. On top of the rate hikes proposed for low-energy users to help out the energy hogs, we're likely to see rake hikes from new gas plants too.

Here's the scoop:

A few weeks ago, the California Public Utilities Commission— the state agency that regulates large energy providers like San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)— voted in San Francisco to approve SDG&E's application for Pio Pico— an unnecessary gas power plant in Otay Mesa. This will cost SDG&E's customers (that's you) $1.6 Billion in rate increases, plus the rising cost of the gas itself, plus the 685,626 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year, or about 130,000 cars-worth of climate change causing pollutants.

Less than a week later, the California Public Utilities Commission announced a draft plan to let SDG&E replace the now-closed San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station with 1.6 times more power than we got from the generating station in the first place. What's worse is that they're proposing to allow SDG&E to produce that power with polluting gas. The Commission may vote on this proposal in just a few weeks, again in San Francisco.

So what's the problem?

We shouldn't pay to build more power than we need.
Pio Pico isn't necessary to keep the lights on, neither is the state's proposal to replace the generating station with way more energy than we need. Building more energy than we need—dirty or clean—comes at a cost because we'll be paying for all that infrastructure whether we use the power or not.

We shouldn't approve new gas plants during a gas shortage.
Somewhere in between the state's approval of gas-fired Pio Pico and the unveiling of the plan to let gas plants replace the generating station, SDG&E had to ask customers to reduce their energy use due to a shortage of gas reserves. Seriously.

San Diegans deserve to be heard by our public decision-makers. 
San Diegans and southern Californian's have made clear in polls and local rallies they want to see more clean energy in their neighborhoods, not fossil fuels. But our voices are not making it up to San Francisco, where the California Public Utilities Commission is deciding our energy future. Travelling to San Francisco to influence Commission decisions is business-as-usual for SDG&E and parent company Sempra, as is made clear by their lobbying report; but for the average resident the cost and time of the trek is prohibitive. We asked the Commission for a local hearing on Pio Pico and on the replacement plan for the generating station, but our requests have been denied. Is it fair that the utility and its gas-peddling parent company are the only "locals" who can afford to have their voices heard?
IMG 5144

What's the solution? 

We should replace the generating station with clean, renewable energy, when needed.
At a time when Californians— especially low-income communities of color— are increasingly feeling climate change impacts, we can't afford to allow more polluting and expensive gas plants that harm our climate, our health, and our wallets. Gas plant prices are on the rise and they pollute; clean energy costs keep dropping and it doesn't pollute our air. Shouldn't this be an easy choice? Let's make a firm commitment.

We deserve better.
For the sake of our health, our future, our wallets San Diegans deserve for our decision makers to make a firm commitment to clean energy, not leave the door wide open for the utilities to build more gas plants and hike our rates at their discretion.

And for the sake of democracy, local residents deserve to have a say in what kind of energy produced their region and powers their homes and businesses.

We demand better!
Join EHC, the California Environmental Justice Alliance, and communities around the state in demanding a clean energy future! Sign the petition today!

 


Port_of_San_Diego_Workshop_PlanningThe Port of San Diego is drafting its plan to guide land and water use for the next 50 years, and we must make our voices heard. On Tuesday, February 18 and Wednesday, February 19, community members have the opportunity to provide feedback at the two-night Integrated Planning Workshop.

We need your help to make sure the Port's 50-year plan steers San Diego towards a clean, safe and healthy future.

Join us to request the Port of San Diego lead the way in environmental justice and set an example by prioritizing nearby residential communities and pollution reduction. Together, let's ask the Port of San Diego to:

  • Pursue immediate action to address climate change by reducing air and environmental pollution.
  • Ensure that its operations don't continue to negatively effect the health and safety of adjacent residential communities.
  • Commit to taking all available action to reduce the cumulative health burdens on Barrio Logan and National City.
  • Proactively ensure that San Diego Bay is enhanced, not degraded, over the next 50 years.
  • Adopt clean air and clean frieght policies that are aggresive and effective.
  • Implement the Climate Action Plan and meet local pollution reduction goals.

Please join us!

Tuesday, February 18, 6-8 p.m.
B Street Cruise Ship Terminal
1140 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego 
(Parking is available on the Pier)

Wednesday, February 19, 6-8 p.m.
Norman Park Senior Center
270 F St, Chula Vista 

If you can't make the meeting but would still like to give input for the planning process, submit your comments here

Last week, I received an email alert from SDG&E announcing the Reduce Your Use Day and customers were asked to conserve energy. I was surprised  because these days typically occur on San Diego's hottest summer days, when energy-hogging air conditioners are running to maximum capacity. Reducing our energy consumption at those times helps SDG&E avoid the need to turn on additional polluting "peaker" power plants to meet demand and also avoid blackouts.

But it's "winter" now in San Diego and that means we have comparatively low energy consumption; so why did SDG&E call a Reduce Your Use Day?

SBPowerPlant.11 10 09 003

Because there's a nationwide shortage of natural gas—the fuel that powers most of San Diego's electricity— due to cold weather in other parts of the U.S., leaving SDG&E and other Southern California utilities scrambling for gas reserves.

The particular irony of this gas shortage is that it comes just several days after the California Public Utilities Commission approved SDG&E's 25-year contract for a new gas plant, "Pio Pico", in Otay Mesa. To make matters worse, when they applied for Pio Pico's approval, SDG&E told customers that gas-burning Pio Pico would make our electricity system more reliable, but now they're telling us they don't have a reliable supply of gas.

Which is it?

Last week's gas shortage should make the California Public Utilities Commission and our elected officials give serious consideration as to whether expanding our reliance on gas-fired power plants makes our electricity system more reliable, as the utilities claim, or if these all too common gas market fluctuations actually makes us more vulnerable to price shocks and potential outages.

Instead of rushing to approve more risky gas plants, our state and our utilities should prioritize reliable sources of clean, local energy like energy storage, solar and efficiency.

We still don't think Pio Pico should have been approved. But at the very least, the buck (the $1.6B buck) should stop there. Moving forward, let's use the retirement of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station as an opportunity to reduce dependence on risky gas-fired power and instead shift to reliable, local and modern clean energy technology.

Chula Vista SignChula Vista City Councilmember Pamela Bensoussan recently urged the California Public Utilities Commission to deny a fossil fuel power plant proposed for Otay Mesa, an area of existing high pollution levels,  known as Pio Pico. 

Councilmember Bensoussan's letter expresses concern that Pio Pico would further burden the community with additional pollution and "repeats a familiar pattern of concentrating the region's polluting activities in South County." She also cites concern about the project's impact on climate change and on the community's choice to secure clean energy.

Thank you Councilmember Bensoussan for standing up for health and clean energy in our communities!

Here's how you can take a stand and join her:

  • Sign this petition to tell our state's energy regulators you don't want the polluting Pio Pico power plant in San Diego.
  • Sign this letter to elected officials who represent the South Bay area to ask them to take a stand against Pio Pico.

Learn more about Pio Pico here. 

 

La semana pasada, escuché una noticia muy mala: una nueva planta de energía, que va a causar mucha contaminación, será muy costosa y es totalmente innecesaria se ha propuesto para ser construída cerca de mi comunidad. La Comisión de Utilidades Públicas de California – la agencia estatal responsable de asegurar que las compañías de energía como San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) den prioridad a la energía limpia – hizo una propuesta para aprobar la planta de combustible contaminante de SDG&E nombrada Pio Pico en Otay Mesa – a unas cuantas millas de mi casa.

Luz grankidsYo ya estaba muy preocupada por los altos niveles de contaminación del aire – que ya están reconocidos como unos de los peores del estado – y los problemas de salud que la contaminación trae. Pio Pico causaría aún más contaminación – el equivalente de la emisiones de 170, 000 automóviles cada año para los próximos 25 años. Esa contaminación podría tener un impacto negativo a la salud de nuestros niños y acelerar el cambio climático. ¡Mis nietos ya tienen asma y yo no quiero que estén expuestos a aún más contaminación proveniente de una nueva planta de energía sucia!

Para colmo de males, ¡SDG&E quiere subir nuestras facturas de energía para pagar el costo de $1.6 Billones de esta energía sucia! Mis vecinos han dicho muy claramente que quieren energía limpia, y hasta están dispuestos a pagar un poco más para tener energía limpia en sus comunidades. Sobre todo no quieren más energía sucia y más contaminación. Los votantes latinos de todo el sur de California han declarado lo mismo – queremos energía limpia, y la queremos ahora.

Lo que más me enoja es que esta planta eléctrica es totalmente innecesaria. Tenemos suficiente energía que viene de recursos renovables, eficiencia energética, almacenamiento de energía, y otras fuentes limpias por ahora y en el futuro para cubrir nuestras necesidades de modo seguro y rentable.

No entiendo por qué la agencia regulatoria del estado permite que SDG&E ubique esta planta de energía en el South Bay. Ya tenemos varias plantas de energía y líneas de transmisión y pésima calidad de aire.

¡Acompáñame en decir NO a otra planta de energía contaminante y exigir que las agencias y los funcionarios de gobierno protejan la salud de nuestras comunidades! Acompáñame en tomar acción:

  • Firma esta petición para decirles a los reguladores del estado ¡que no quieres la planta de energía contaminante Pio Pico en San Diego!
  • Firma esta carta a los funcionarios públicos que representan el área de South Bay para pedirles ¡que apoyen a la comunidad!

Last month, under the leadership of Ann Moore, the San Diego Unified Port District took a big step towards addressing climate change and pollution in San Diego when the Board of Port Commissioners unanimously adopted a Climate Action Plan.

port sunsetThe plan is so significant because it charts a course of action to lower the Port's greenhouse gas emissions-- the pollution responsible for causing climate change -- and sets an example for the rest of San Diego. Climate change and pollution from the Port both have huge health impacts on the region, especially neighboring low-income communities of color. With its location along the waterfront, as a center and facilitator of global goods shipping and a home to a mix of heavy, polluting industries as well as waterfront tourism businesses, the Port stands as a cause of climate change as well as a future victim.

Specifically, the Port's climate plan sets targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2035 and identifies strategies that may be used to reduce emissions from the Port and the 600 bayfront businesses to which the Port is a landlord. Some such strategies include:

• Making new and existing buildings more efficient
• Generating renewable energy along the bayfront
• Increasing use of clean vehicles, vessels and machinery

Next steps for the Port's climate plan will be identifying which specific emissions reductions strategies the Port will prioritize for implementing in 2014. Meanwhile, we'll continue urging the Port to take meaningful actions to ensure community health is at the forefront of Port decisions and the necessary actions are taken to achieve climate stability in San Diego. 

We've worked diligently over the past three years to ensure that the Port, landlord for many of the largest polluters in the region, secures adoption of a plan, and we applaud the Board of Port Commissioners for unanimously supporting it. Now, we can't wait to see this vision for San Diego's sustainable future put into action.

Power plants make our neighborhoods sick. Simple as that. They emit dangerous toxic pollution into our air making it hard for us to breathe, and making our families, our communities and our planet sick. 

SIGN THIS PETITION TO TELL CALIFORNIA'S ENERGY REGULATORS WE DON'T WANT PIO PICO.

SIGN THIS LETTER TO ASK SOUTH BAY ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST DIRTY AIR IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

Now, a new power plant is being proposed in San Diego by SDG&E. If approved, the new plant, titled Pio Pico, will operate in Otay Mesa -- a 2/3 Latino area already burdened with toxic waste and ranked in the top 20 percent of most polluted zip codes in the state. The location is only 1.3 miles from Tijuana - home to one million people.

Strela-No-Power-Plant-SIMPLEThe chemicals produced from Pio Pico, known as "particulate matter" are directly linked to respiratory illnesses, such as asthma. Over time, residents may experience school absences, lost work days, hospital admissions, asthma diagnoses and in some severe cases, even death.

The monetary harm will also be substantial, as Pio Pico will cost SDG&E customers $1.6 billion. And that is a fact.

Irreversable damage will be done to our communities. The amount of poisonous air from Pio Pico is equal to the annual emissions of 129,584 gasoline-powered cars or nearly 70 million gallons of gasoline. San Diegans will face costly bills, asthma hospitalizations and increased environmental impacts of climate change such as forest fires, sea level rise, drought and heat waves. (Read more about the causes and effects of climate change here.)

And once it's built, it's not coming down for a long, long time -- if at all. Pio Pico's contract is 25 years, meaning it will continue to physically harm and pollute the already dumped on neighboring communities for a quarter of a decade.

Is this how you see your future? 

If not, sign this petition to oppose Pio Pico and make your voice heard for healthy neighborhoods and breathable air now and for generations to come and read more about Pio Pico and your community. There is a better way.

We all have questions about climate change, especially regarding what's happening here in San Diego. Well you asked, and we deliver. Below we chat with EHC Policy Advocate Kayla Race on what causes climate change in San Diego, the implications it will have on our lives and what we can do to keep it from getting worse.

What are global warming and climate change? 

What causes global warming and climate change?

How will San Diegans be affected? 

Will some communities be impacted more than others? 

What is San Diego doing about climate change?

Can we do anything to reduce our risk? 

How can I help?

powerplant4

 

What are global warming and climate change?

Global warming is the recent and ongoing increase in global average temperature, causing climate patterns around the world to change. Global warming represents just one aspect of climate change, which refers to significant changes in climate that occur over several decades or longer. (back to top)

What causes global warming and climate change?

Global warming and climate change are caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases—such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and certain synthetic chemicals—in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere and make the planet warmer, hence the term "global warming." 

Over the past 200 years, concentrations of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere have increased significantly and at an alarming rate, mostly due to human activities like burning fossil fuels to produce energy and power cars and trucks, industrial processes, some agricultural practices and deforestation. Although greenhouse gases are naturally occurring, the unnaturally large increase that has occurred over a relatively short period of time in history will result in dangerous impacts to human health, safety and ecosystems. (back to top)

How will San Diegans be affected? 

Although it is difficult to predict the exact impacts of climate change in San Diego, it is clear that the climate to which we are accustomed is no longer a reliable guide for what to expect in the future, and we should prepare for threats to our infrastructure, our safety, our economy, and our health.

In fact, the California Department of Public Health and the American Public Health Association have identified climate change as one of the most serious public health threats facing our nation, warning that the impacts are occurring sooner than expected.

Some impacts San Diegans are likely to see are:

  • More frequent, intense, and prolonged heat waves and impair air quality, which puts public health at risk
  • Dwindling freshwater supplies and increased water costs
  • More frequent and intense wildfires
  • More frequent and intense storms
  • Potential disruptions in electricity
  • Stress on our agricultural industry and resulting rising food prices
  • Native plant and animal species emigrating from the region or reduce populations
  • Rising sea levels that threaten communities and businesses near our coastline

(More about climate change impacts in the Southwestern U.S.)

Will some communities be impacted more than others? 

marianalopezkids1

Yes. Low-income communities of color such as Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, City Heights and National City will be hit first and worst by the impacts of climate change. These neighborhoods already suffer the health consequences of the region's pollution and they lack community resources such as healthcare, air conditioning, urban parks and tree canopy and transportation, making it challenging to cope with worsening conditions.

We have actually already seen climate change disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities. During California's heat wave of 2006, 99 percent of the associated deaths occurred in zip codes where more than half of residents were below the poverty line. (back to top)

What is San Diego doing about climate change?

The City of San Diego is in the process of developing a climate action plan for reducing the pollution that causes climate change, and preparing residents, businesses, and our natural resources for the impacts of climate change. The Port of San Diego adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2013 and is working to implement the plan now.

Stay tuned for more updates on the City and Port of San Diego's Climate Plan progress. (back to top)

Can we do anything to reduce our risk?

Yes! Do you want the good news or bad news first?

The bad news is carbon dioxide can stay in the atmosphere for nearly a century, meaning Earth will continue to warm in the coming decades. So the choices we make today--from how we use and produce energy, to how we travel, to the food and goods we purchase-- all affect the amount of greenhouse gases that stay in our atmosphere for years to come.

The good news is, San Diego can reduce its risk if we act now to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and properly prepare for changes that are already underway!

What can I do to help?

We have many solutions within our grasp to reduce pollution and secure a healthier future for our planet.  

  • We can install solar panels on our rooftops and in our parking lots to reduce our reliance on dirty energy while creating local jobs at the same time. 
  • We can make our buildings more energy and water efficient, build better transit and make neighborhoods more walkable and bikeable, resulting in fewer car emissions. 
  • Reduce your daily impact on climate change at home and at work with small changes to daily habits -- like turning off lights and electronics and taking shorter showers.
  • Get the News and Alerts to Take Action: Subscribe to our email newsletter for all our upcoming opportunities to attend a public meeting or send a letter to tell City Council and Port Commissioners you want an enforceable plan that will improve our air quality and make our communities more resilient against climate change
  • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay in the know with energy news and upcoming advocacy opportunities
  • Donate to EHC to help us continue our work promoting climate action solutions
  • Reduce energy and water use in your home by following these tips

GEGJ&SC CEC-CPUC 7-15-13.jpg largeOn Monday, July 15, EHC's Green Energy/Green Jobs staff and community members made the trek to Los Angeles to ask the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission for a cleaner energy future.

The hearing was jointly held on Southern California's energy future following the permanent closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). We were joined by our allies at Sierra Club and Communities for a Better Environment.

The message we heard from our state agencies and utilities was clear-- they want to stick to their old ways of building dirty gas plants, no matter the cost to our health, our environment, our climate, and our future.

We're counting on you to help us continue pushing for a healthier, smarter energy future!

The results are in: Solar matters!

latino voters pollOn Thursday, poll results were finalized by the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI) to reveal the large majority of Latinos in Southern California support and want to see a shift toward rooftop solar energy in our communities. The findings are very similar to those of a survey done last year, and further support EHC's movement for green, clean energy and illustrate the increasing prioritization of solar panel energy in Latino urban neighborhoods most affected by air pollution and dirty energy.

Some key survey results include:

80% believe that our state legislators should make it a high priority to increase the amount of rooftop solar energy in California;
70% support the net metering law that allows owners of rooftop solar panels to receive fair credit for the excess energy they generate. Industry analysts credit net metering as the cornerstone policy for continued solar growth
• The core value statement behind the net metering law is even more popular: 74% agree with the statement "if customers are required to buy power from the utility at a certain price, the utility should have to buy excess power created by customers' solar panels at the same price";
More than half (54%) strongly agreed with the statement "growing the state's solar energy industry will create new jobs in California
60% of Latino voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate who opposed policies to support the green economy

Solar rooftop energy will have numerous positive effects on our communities by:

• Decreasing the carbon emissions catalyzing climate change
Creating more jobs and boosting local economies
• Transitioning neighborhoods away from dirty, toxic air toward clean, breathable air
• Reducing preventable health diseases (such as asthma) directly associated with poor air quality

This survey tells us that Latinos' priorities have become clean energy for both local economy and public health initiatives and solar power will be a major issue in future elections. It is clear our communities are ready for positive environmental changes to happen right in our backyards – or, in this case, right on our rooftops.

For more information on this survey and the results, visit http://causecleanair.org/what-do-latino-voters-in-southern-california-think-about-rooftop-solar/.

whack a mole energy strategyOriginally published in the UT San Diego, February 8, 2013.

In early February, we watched the implosion of the South Bay Power Plant— just one day after the California Public Utilities Commission heard public comments on two new SDG&E-proposed fossil fuel power plants in San Diego.

We're playing a game of Whack-a-Mole with our regional energy policy at ratepayers' expense. Though the demolition of the South Bay Power Plant is striking, we can't let SDG&E continue to turn a blind eye to the reasons why we don't need that plant anymore.

Reliance on fossil fuels has led to an Orwellian-esque era where each year is becoming the hottest on record and we are suffering through a series of costly and deadly weather events. In San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography warns us to expect hotter and more humid mid-summer heat waves that are worse than many inland areas while freshwater in the Southwest is becoming scarcer and our oceans are rising faster than expected.

So why is SDG&E proposing to build unneeded fossil-fuel power plants using the expensive, dirty and outdated centralized power plant model when we're barely scratching the surface of our clean energy and smart grid potential?

San Diego deserves better than this.

On top of the harmful impacts to public health and our climate from the greenhouse gases, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide that would be emitted by these two power plants, the nearly $1.6 billion dollar price tag of the power plants would be passed on to ratepayers over the next 20 years, according to the California Energy Commission.

Perhaps what's most perplexing about SDG&E's proposal, though, is that the energy from these plants is not even needed, according to both the Administrative Law Judge and the lead California Public Utilities Commissioner for the proceeding. Both have issued proposed decisions denying the plants due to a lack of need.

Even without San Onofre coming back online, SDG&E has ample power reserves to "keep the lights on." On the hottest day of the year last September, SDG&E had approximately 24 percent more energy than was needed. Further, the state agency that manages our energy grid, the California Independent Systems Operator, said the way to address the San Onofre shut down was through fixes to our transmission lines, not construction of new power plants.

Our regional leadership must embrace a strategy that prioritizes building a better future for our children by integrating demand management strategies, conservation, local clean energy generation, and energy storage into a smart modern grid that benefits all communities in San Diego.

In fact, San Diego is on the cutting-edge in this arena already. SDG&E proudly announced smart grid breakthroughs just last week that will allow them to prevent blackouts and integrate renewable resources seamlessly. UCSD has its own nationally recognized microgrid -- an on-site energy generation, distribution, and management network that balances renewable energy, electric vehicles, storage, and demand management. The microgrid is connected to SDG&E's grid but can disconnect and operate independently in "islanded mode" as needed, such as during the SDG&E blackout of September 2011, giving UCSD energy independence and security. Our local military bases are also investing in this new smart grid/microgrid approach to maximize the security and reliability of their energy needs. Naval Base Coronado and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar are both pursuing these new solutions/grid-independence.

Environmental Health Coalition knows from our recent educational efforts within the local communities that small changes to our daily habits can result in drastic reduction in energy use.

With a newly elected Mayor Bob Filner in the City of San Diego and other progressive elected officials who have pledged to pave a new pathway for our energy future, we are excited to build a new energy paradigm as part of San Diego's innovation economy. We look forward to working with our partners in local government, labor, the business community, the military and our educational institutions to create local, family-wage, career-track jobs while reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the health of every San Diego family.

It's time we put a stop to the Whack-A-Mole approach to energy. We must demand more from our energy utility so that it produces big new solutions to the big challenges we face.

Nicole Capretz
Green Energy / Green Jobs Campaign Director for Environmental Health Coalition
City Heights Resident

keystone xl climate change rally franco garcia speaks 2Low-income communities of color have long been on the front lines of pollution and dirty energy, and now we're set to be hit first and worst by climate change. Lack of financial resources, vulnerability to poor air quality from asthma, lack of access to affordable healthcare and transportation, and minimal urban tree canopy means that our communities will be most vulnerable to impacts of climate change like hotter summer heat waves in San Diego and impaired air quality, more frequent extreme storms, diminishing freshwater and increased water prices, and rapidly rising sea levels.

keystone xl climate change kayla race bicycle to rallyCommunities on the front lines know we must do everything we can to stop climate change and the dirty energy economy that exploits our natural resources, jeopardizes public health and safety, and threatens our climate stability. So why aren't our national and energy leaders on the same page?

Our President and federal government are considering approval of the huge new Keystone XL pipeline that would transport oil from the tar sands of Canada—one of the dirtiest sources of oil—all the way to the Gulf coast. And in San Diego, our local utility SDG&E wants to build two new dirty power plants.

Both sets of projects would come at great cost to public health and our climate.

It's time we stand up and say San Diego and the United States deserve better. We must demand more from our energy utilities and our elected officials to produce big solutions to the big challenges we face.

keystone xl climate change rally protestors san diego 2

Thanks to Diane Lesher for the photos.

Joy WilliamsOne recent workday when I had to drive to work instead of taking the bus, I found myself, not surprisingly, stuck in traffic. However, I had some great news to think over as I inched along - EHC's statewide game-changing victory at the PUC. This victory will create more energy efficiency education in more homes and help produce more green jobs for San Diego and California

Just before I turned off the engine of my Prius, I looked at the thermometer – winter is coming and the evenings are getting cooler. But I knew that once I got in the house it would be nice and warm. Nice and warm not from heating the house all day, but from all the energy upgrades we have done over the past two years. We put in new windows, and the white glove guys at ASI tested our house and figured how to make our house energy efficient. We got a new furnace and new heating ducts, and we got new insulation to keep our indoor temperature moderate.

We also got a nice check from SDG&E to help cover our costs. (Thanks to the ratepayers for that! You and I are funding SDG&E's rebate program – the funds don’t come out of their profits or the goodness of their hearts. They are required to spend money to help people reduce energy use).

I walked to the front door thinking about our $37 SDGE bill that I had just opened—all smiles. And there, right in front of the door, was a box. I saw that SDG&E sent it. My first thought was to write "return to sender" on it and send it back, but curiosity got the better of me.

Inside were “eco friendly” gifts and a note thanking us for our energy upgrades. We got a ball cap and a t-shirt with the SDG&E logo and the statement that we are energy efficient. I like to wear hats and T-shirts, but I don’t like to wear black hats or black shirts.

Rule number one in being energy efficient: black clothes absorb heat and make you hotter; light colored clothes reflect heat and make you cooler.

I looked at the tags and found out that the shirt was made in the Dominican Republic.

Rule number two: to reduce fuel consumption, don’t buy clothes shipped long distances to reach you.

But there was more: plastic herb garden containers, a plastic lunch bag, and a plastic water bottle.

Rule number three in being energy efficient, don’t buy things you don’t need as it takes energy to make the product, energy to bring the product to you, and energy to bring the product to the landfill.

Memo to SDG&E:

We don’t want more “stuff.” Stuff creates greenhouse gases. Moving it around creates more. We also don’t want three more fossil fueled power plants in our region. What we DO WANT from SDG&E is for them to move quickly toward a sane energy future, with policies and resources that put local, renewable energy sources ahead of fossil fuels. EHC's victory at the PUC in early November established groundwork for those improvements. No, we didn't suggest that t-shirts be a different color, or that they give out lunch-boxes instead of lunch-bags. We said that low-income families benefit more from one-on-one education vs. radio commercials to help save energy. We said that more middle-income families like mine need access to energy upgrade rebates. We said to expand green job training and get people back to work.

Beyond our recent victory, I'd like SDG&E to get out of the way of progress and let localities form their own nonprofit electric cooperatives that offer choices to residents about what kinds of energy solutions they want.

That would be the perfect gift to thank me for energy conservation.

low-income-communities-san-diego-need-solar-tooI live in a condo in La Jolla and see solar installations sprinkled around my neighborhood. That's a good thing.

What would be better? If I looked around and saw solar on every rooftop in La Jolla— including my own— and in every neighborhood. That vision is both possible and feasible.

But despite the fact that costs are going down exponentially every year, new data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows that San Diego County is using less than 3% of the solar potential SDG&E estimates is possible.

What's worse is that on my bike ride down the coast to work, I see less and less solar as I glide through Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and Downtown. And by the time I get to Barrio Logan and then my office in National City, I don't see any solar.

The NREL data shows that my eyes are not deceiving me and the green divide is very much a real thing. Low-income, highly polluted neighborhoods like Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, and National City have very little solar compared to wealthier neighborhoods like La Jolla and Rancho Bernardo.  In fact, La Jolla has nearly 4 times as many solar installations and over 2 times the solar kilowatts as Barrio Logan, National City, and Sherman Heights COMBINED. Rancho Bernardo has nearly 7 times as many installations and 2.4 times the kW capacity as Barrio Logan, National City, and Sherman Heights combined.

Don't believe me? See for yourself by exploring The Open PV Project website.

We don't need to let our clean air, climate, health, and economy be threatened any longer by existing or new expensive dirty power plants like the ones recently proposed near University City and Mission Trails—which were supported by our own, purportedly "smart" utility, SDG&E.

There is huge untapped potential in San Diego's low-income neighborhoods, especially on commercial rooftops, and there's even still potential for more solar in La Jolla and Rancho Bernardo. We have the technical potential to meet the County's peak energy demand using just rooftop solar, according to study co-authored by SDG&E.

So what are we waiting for, San Diego? It's time for energy independence.

-Kayla Race

IMAGE CAPTION: A visual display of the solar divide: The region's highest-income areas like La Jolla, Rancho Bernardo, and Scripps Ranch, and the City of Del Mar pop out in dark red, indicating the highest numbers of solar installations per capita. Lower-income neighborhoods in the City of San Diego, like Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, and City Heights, are left in the dust with light yellow indicating their dismal number of solar installation. Click on the image to get a full-sized image.

"Maria Martinez de - "Arriba Barrio Logan!" - we want community 2 speak for themselves & she nailed it. So proud

In less than 160 characters, Nicole's tweet sums up an inspiring and educational trip for our staff and community members to Sacramento to rally support for AB 1990. This two-day event filled with meetings with decision makers, educational forums and an energetic rally on the capitol steps also brought together environmental justice advocates from across the state. We formally refer to this group as California Environmental Justice Alliance. And together, we made a statement that all communities deserve clean energy and green jobs. This is what we call Solar for All.

Learn more about this historic statewide bill that is heading to the senate for a vote. And enjoy a few photos from our trip to Sacramento.

solar-for-all-2solar-for-all-3solar-for-all-4solar-for-all-5solar-for-all-6solar-for-all-7solar-for-all-7solar-for-all

MCC Trucks ESP Twitter


Dígale al Puerto de San Diego ¡ALTO A LAS MUERTES POR DIESEL!

La empresa Mitsubishi Cement Corporation (MCC) propone construir y operar un mega almacén de cemento en la Terminal Marítima Tenth Avenue en Barrio Logan. Si lo aprueba la Junta de Comisionados Portuarios, se estima que el almacén aumentará los viajes mensuales de camiones de diésel en un 50%, agregando al menos 2,000 viajes, ¡hasta 8,700 viajes en años venideros!

¡Por favor tome acción hoy! Dígale al puerto que proteja la salud pública al exigirle a MCC que use camiones eléctricos limpios que reduzcan la contaminación atmosférica por diésel.

Barrio Logan ya está en el 5% superior en Materia de Partículas Diésel (PM), un contaminante que puede causar graves problemas de salud, como cáncer de pulmón y asma.

Barrio Logan y National City también tienen tasas desproporcionadamente altas de infecciones por COVID-19 – una enfermedad que empeora por la mala calidad del aire. Nuestras comunidades no necesitan que la industria y el Puerto de San Diego empeoren la situación exponiendo a los residentes a riesgos aún mayores de complicaciones de salud.

TOME ACCIÓN

El Puerto debe rechazar la propuesta del mega almacén de cemento de MCC a menos que la empresa cumpla con el requisito de camiones eléctricos limpios y otras medidas que protejan a las comunidades aledañas al puerto de la exposición continua a la contaminación crónica del aire.

#altomuertespordiesel

¡Por favor firme la petición hoy!

 

Trucks image credit: DEZALB from Pixabay

1369

On Sunday morning July 12, a 3-alarm fire broke out aboard the Navy ship USS Bonhomme Richard docked at Naval Station San Diego, located between Barrio Logan and National City. Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) expresses our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Navy personnel who were injured and our gratitude to the firefighters and emergency personnel who responded to the immediate threat.

Unfortunately, the protection of public health in the neighboring communities was not a high priority for officials. National City residents report being overwhelmed by the odors in the early afternoon and throughout the day. Many said that they had to leave their homes because of the fumes and because they didn’t have air conditioning that would have enabled them to stay inside with the windows closed because of the heat.

EHC is deeply concerned and outraged that the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Health Department were under-prepared to protect public health during a crisis like this. National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis’ statement in English and Spanish warning the public and advising them to stay indoors came at 2:30 PM and was the only statement from an official source for hours.

The Navy spokesperson, Rear Admiral Phillip Sobeck’s assertions that the smoke does not contain toxics is preposterous and inaccurate. Smoke inhalation is hazardous to everyone’s health, especially those who have chronic conditions like respiratory illness or heart disease.

EHC calls for the following actions:

  • The County should immediately update their guidance on social media to effectively warn the public, and especially those with chronic conditions and provide safety information.
  • The County should provide emergency shelter for impacted residents that is cool, smoke-free and COVID-safe
  • The APCD should release air monitoring results immediately
  • The County should develop an emergency monitoring plan in collaboration with the community to implement as soon as a disaster like this occurs.
  • The Navy should release its findings regarding the cause and source of the fire as soon as that information becomes available.

The community deserves to have complete information about the toxins in the fire and how those could harm their health. National City and Barrio Logan are low-income communities of color that already have compromised air quality and are in the top 10% of most polluted neighborhoods in the state. As a result, 3-5 times more children in these communities suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

 

Related News Coverage:

  • Smoke from burning Navy ship in San Diego triggers health concerns, pollution monitoring (SDUT)
  • Combaten incendio en el buque USS Bonhomme Richard por segundo día (Noticiasya)
  • Answers on Navy Fire’s Health Impacts Won’t Come Right Away (VOSD)
  • Air Quality Concerns Surround USS Bonhomme Richard Fire (KPBS)

Image credit: Port of San Diego Harbor Police via Twitter

 

1363

Today, the California Air Resources Board chose health!

CARB heard testimony from over 140 people including: residents, advocates, agencies, and industry from up and down California calling for the Advanced Clean Truck Rule to be adopted.

Included below in this post is testimony from EHC in support of this groundbreaking rule as we continue to advance our call for clean air in San Diego!

What was surprising to me personally, is how much others look to our State for leadership, innovation, and guidance in advancing clean vehicle technology and new economies while protecting communities, moving away from fossil fuels causing severe health impacts from structural inequities in communities of color; and reducing greenhouse gasses affecting climate change.

From New York to Washington State support and partnerships continue to grow. We also applaud the AB 617 Portside Steering Committee for providing a statement of support and noting that these measures will assist our local efforts such as trucks serving cargo terminals at the Port of San Diego.

David Flores
Air Quality Campaign Director
Environmental Health Coalition

 

EHC TESTIMONY AT CARB IN FAVOR OF ACT RULE (06-25-2020)

Good morning, I am David Flores of Environmental Health Coalition.

Like many of the groups and individuals here today, EHC works in EJ communities that rank very high on CalEnviroScreen and suffer the health and safety impacts of disproportionate truck traffic. EHC supports this rule in its current form and we urge adoption.

In addition to the AB 617 Portside communities of Barrio Logan and west National City, the San Diego region also includes the border area, with its heavy burden of truck traffic from both sides of the border.

Aclima air sampling in 2019 found black carbon levels that, at the high end, correspond to a cancer risk level of over 2000 per million in the Otay Mesa area.

More recently Aclima week-to-week average values in the Portside and Border Communities during the COVID Stay at home order form March 20th to April 24th present a reduction in black carbon during the first 5 weeks, however, levels increased the last two weeks back to pre-COVID levels.

This does correspond with our information about diesel sources that impact our communities:

  • Port cargo volumes were down only a little, or even up in the case of some imports; the shipyards have continued to operate throughout this period, and there is still truck traffic in the AB 617 Portside community.
  • For the Border area in Otay Mesa and San Ysidro: Cross border commercial traffic is considered essential and has been allowed to continue across the border.
  • SANDAG statistics for Commercial truck crossings in 2019 through the state’s 3 commercial POEs (Otay Mesa, Tecate & Calexico East) broke a new record last year, processing more than 1.4 million northbound trucks.
  • Of that 1.4 Million, approximately 800,000 of those crossings were from the Otay Mesa POE truck crossing. Keep in mind, this does not account for the 2 to 5 hours of idling that these trucks spend cued up at the border waiting to cross.

We are already doing everything we can locally to reduce truck impacts. Working with the City of San Diego, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, and the Port of San Diego, we are:

  • Working with the City to establish and enforce truck routes;
  • Working with the Port to educate truck drivers on the new routes;
  • Working through AB 617 to incentivize cleaner trucks in our communities and land use strategies to create additional solutions to traffic chokepoints and conflicts; and
  • Pursuing an effort of 3 decades to reform the land use plans in these communities to better separate industrial from residential land uses.

However, local efforts cannot compel a faster industrywide shift to electric trucks and away from fossil fuels. We need action at the state level to require zero-emission trucks in California at the earliest possible. CARB should not invest in false solutions such as polluting natural gas trucks, and these should not be considered under ACT and related rules.

EHC supports this rule in its current form and we urge adoption. We want to thank CARB staff for listening to EJ and clean freight advocates and strengthening this rule.

 

1362

According to the state’s air quality agency, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), some 70% of cancer risks from breathing polluted air in the state are from diesel. In the San Diego region, 90% of diesel emissions are from mobile sources such as heavy-duty trucks. These vehicles are a major source of toxic diesel particulate matter which is linked to cancer, asthma, heart disease, and many other serious health problems.

EJ communities have more diesel in the air and have higher rates of asthma and other conditions linked to diesel exposure. The Barrio Logan and Logan Heights areas rank in the top 5% statewide on the CalenviroScreen diesel indicator.

We need CARB to act now and act strongly. And we need you to send them a strong message.

CARB will vote on a new Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) at their June 25, 2020 meeting. CARB staff is recommending a strong rule that will result in 15% of heavy-duty trucks on the roads by 2033 be zero-emission. EHC and clean freight activists throughout California support these recommendations.

Please urge CARB to adopt the strong ACT rule proposed by staff. There’s two ways you can do this, both remotely:

  1. Join the CARB meeting via a webinar
  2. Register and call into the meeting

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. on June 25, 2020, and there will be Spanish translation.

For more information on participating, please contact EHC Air Quality Director, David Flores:
Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.; (619) 587-5557 (mobile).

Image credit: Port of San Diego

 

No new shipyards!

Austal USA is proposing to build a major ship repair facility in West National City. If approved by the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, the new shipyard will add a significant new source of air pollution in National City. National City already ranks in the top 95-97 percentiles for diesel particulate matter (PM) in California.

EHC, along with the Ports Tenants Association, Pasha Automotive Services, San Diego Labor Council, and National City residents are demanding the Port of San Diego reject the Austal shipyard proposal and not create more air pollution in our communities.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!

At their May 19 meeting (tomorrow), the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners will review the Austal proposal. Here is what you can do to send them a strong message to reject the proposed shipyard:

  • Attend the May 19 Board meeting virtually at 1 p.m. – Join the meeting here
  • Email a brief letter with your #nonewshipyard demand today to: Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.
  • Call 619-736-2155 and leave a voicemail message with your demand

Please email and/or call today or before 11 AM on Tuesday May 19, 2020 so the Port Commissioners hear your voice.

The proposed Austal shipyard project would adversely affect the health and well-being of one the most impacted environmental justice communities in the San Diego region – and that’s not all!

Besides worsening air quality in National City, Austal’s operations will use toxic materials and generate hazardous wastes threatening the surrounding communities and San Diego Bay. These include toxic, hazardous, and flammable materials such as lead, zinc, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Please email and/or call the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners today and demand:

  1. No more air pollution – NO NEW SHIPYARDS
  2. Stay the course of reducing emissions!
  3. Implement the air quality strategies promised

#nonewshipyard

Image Source: Wikimedia. Public domain photo by Josiah Poppler

Julie Corrales, a poet, community activist, and mother of 2, lives in a historic home in the Barrio Logan community of San Diego. She settled her family in the cute blue house on a street close to Perkins elementary school, a street on which trucks over 5 tons are banned. Julie was startled to be awakened one night by trucks driving down her street and idling in the alley next to her house. Web cameras installed by EHC show trucks passing her home many times a day.

 

Barrio Logan and West National City are adjacent to Port cargo terminals, freeways, waterfront industry, and a BNSF railyard. Many businesses within these mixed-use communities generate truck traffic in the form of delivery trucks. All these sources of diesel pollution affect air quality and health in these communities.

Both communities also rank high on the CalEnviroScreen overall and for diesel. Barrio Logan, in fact, ranks in the top 5% statewide on the CalEnviroScreen diesel indicator and the asthma indicator as well.

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(Heavy-duty truck parked in front of Perkins Elementary School in Barrio Logan)


EHC and our community leaders are doing everything we can locally to reduce truck impacts:

  • Working with the City to establish and enforce truck routes
  • Working with the Port to educate truck drivers on the new route
  • Working through the Portside communities Clean Air Protection Program (AB 617) to incentivize cleaner trucks in our communities
  • Pursuing a decades-long effort to reform the land use plans in these communities to better separate industrial from residential land uses

However, local efforts cannot compel a faster industrywide shift to electric trucks and away from diesel. We need action at the state level to require zero- emission trucks in California at the earliest possible date.

We join clean freight activists throughout California in asking the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt an Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule that will result in 15% of heavy-duty trucks on the roads by 2030 being zero emission. The currently proposed rule will result in only 4% Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) trucks on the road by 2030. We need a stronger rule now!

We know a faster shift to ZEV is feasible. A large number of the truck traffic going through and around our portside communities consists of trucks visiting the Port’s cargo terminals. A Port estimate from a year ago is that about 28% of the total Port-related truck trips are 50 miles or less. Another large percentage travels routes of less than 200 miles, to the Los Angeles-Long Beach area or up to the San Bernardino area. Electric trucks that can drive these distances already exist, and are being deployed in demonstration projects today. It is important to make sure they are fully commercialized and available to truck fleets to purchase over the next decade.

Cleaner air, faster, will be good for the entire state of California – and for our ailing planet, in desperate need of reduced greenhouse gas assaults. It will be especially beneficial for Julie Corrales, her children, and other residents of communities most impacted by diesel pollution in California.

We call on CARB to adopt a strong ACT rule.

 

On December 10, 2018, San Diego City Council unanimously passed a resolution prohibiting heavy-duty commercial truck traffic on Barrio Logan residential streets. The resolution resulted in some new signage installations but there has been little enforcement by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).

Prohibited truck traffic continues unabated on residential streets in Barrio Logan, putting families and residents in harm’s way. On August 9, 2019, a non-compliant heavy-duty truck traveling on Main Street lost control crashing into power lines and fire hydrants.  The truck burst into flames and came to rest just a few feet from a home with children sleeping inside.

As of October 23, 2019, SDPD has only issued 49 citations to non-complaint trucks this year.  EHC and Barrio Logan residents are discouraged and outraged by the lack of truck route enforcement. EHC representatives and residents voiced their concerns and demands at the October 16, 2019 Barrio Logan Planning Group meeting, and again at the October 23, 2019 Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee meeting. At both meetings, EHC staff shared recent video footage of non-complaint trucks on residential streets and presented specific enforcement actions the SDPD can take. 

 

EHC has written a formal letter to San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno asking for three specific actions:

  • Provide consistent monitoring
  • Educate truckers
  • Issue citations

Councilmembers Moreno and Montgomery expressed strong concerns at the Council Committee meeting.  CM Moreno asked SDPD to make monthly reports on citations issued to the planning group and to use the locations and times provided by EHC to develop a monitoring program.

 MEDIA COVERAGE

 WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Send signed petitions to Jorge Gonzales:Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. or contact him at (510) 559-0978 for more information.

 

Trucks on Boston


On August 9, 2019, a heavy-duty diesel truck crashed in Barrio Logan on a block with homes and businesses.

It burst into flames directly in front of a home!

The truck was not following the approved route (see reverse) in violation of the 2018 resolution passed by the San Diego City Council. Violations of the resolution happen every day putting families and children in harms way. These trucks don’t belong on our streets!

READ OUR PRESS RELEASE

DOWNLOAD OUR PETITION

DOWNLOAD INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT

REPORT A VIOLATION

When you see a prohibited truck violating the law, call the SDPD non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000 and provide the following information:

  • Date and time of violation
  • Location (cross streets or address)
  • License plate number and state
  • Company name and other details

For more information contact Jorge at (510) 559-0978 or Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

UPDATE: Join Jorge this week to take action! Click the link below to learn more.

WHERE:
Por Vida Cafe
2146 Logan Ave
San Diego, CA 92113

WHEN:
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
2:00pm to 4:00pm

Thursday, October 10, 2019
10am to 12:30pm

Wednesday, October 16, 2019
11:30am to 2:30pm

 

In December 2018, San Diego City Council adopted an EHC-supported resolution that directs heavy-duty diesel trucks to use Harbor Drive as the designated truck route to avoid passing through Barrio Logan residential areas and accessing the freeways.

Enforcement is the key to ensuring that heavy-duty trucks do not pollute streets where people live, learn and play.

EHC applauds the City of San Diego for posting new truck route signs on Harbor Drive, as well as signs that identify Barrio Logan streets where trucks are now prohibited. We urge the city to continue implementing the resolution with enhanced police enforcement, community input, and a full audit of older, faded truck signs.

The San Diego Police department welcomes community input and feedback on the new truck signs and route enforcement efforts at their monthly meetings:

Central Division Community Meetings

Captains Advisory Board Meetings
Meetings are held at 6PM every 4th Thurday.

2501 Imperial Avenue
San Diego, CA 92102

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Wayfinding signs on Harbor Drive and 32nd Street signaling freeway access outside of the core of Barrio Logan

 

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 Wayfinding signs on Harbor Drive along the truck route. These signs are larger and easily visible by truck operators.

 

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Wayfinding sign on Cesar Chavez and Harbor Drive signaling the truck route for trucks leaving the Port of San Diego.

We recently celebrated a major victory for clean air and public health in Barrio Logan. We applaud the City of San Diego Environment Committee, led by David Alvarez, for unanimously passing the Barrio Logan Clean Air and Safe Streets Ordinance.

As it moves through the city review process, allow us to expain to you how this ordinance came to be and why it matters to our community.

barrio live EHC

A Summary: 

The presence of heavy-duty truck traffic in Barrio Logan has become commonplace in our community and has negatively affected our quality of life for many years. Perkins Elementary School, for example, faces daily exposure to harmful air emissions from diesel trucks, noise and safety concerns. 

EHC recommends adoption of the Barrio Logan Clean Air and Safe Streets Ordinance to ensure that Barrio Logan residents can live, work and play in a safe environment.

Current Conditions:

Current policy to address heavy-duty vehicle traffic in Barrio Logan has been helpful but now warrants an update. Right now, the policy does not prohibit truck traffic on all of the streets necessary, especially near schools, senior residential living centers, and residential uses, nor does it address enforcement through fines and/or penalties. Our community has understood the need to amend this in order to mitigate the ever-increasing volume of heavy-duty vehicle traffic in the region. 

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Community Research: 

Boston Avenue between 28th and 32nd Street is zoned as exclusively residential and is the only such zone in Barrio Logan. Residents of Boston Avenue participated in community research by conducting truck surveys, which yielded striking results -- including the documentation of up to 59 heavy-duty vehicles within a two-hour period.

The community research demonstrates the different sources of heavy-duty vehicles entering and exiting through Barrio Logan. Air samples taken during these surveys also indicate spikes in ultra-fine particulate matter -- a chemical found in diesel exhaust that is linked to serious health effects -- as trucks drove by the survey area.

Key Findings from other Port Cities:

  • Oakland, Long Beach, and Los Angeles establish truck routes in their municipal codes
  • These cities also include an extensive list of prohibited streets
  • Truck routes maps are readily available via city website (interactive maps, pdf, etc.)

A Barrio Logan of Freeways

EHC Recommends:

The Barrio Logan Clean Air and Safe Streets Ordinance will provide ways to mitigate the impacts of diesel exhaust in and around our community, making it a healthier and safer neighborhood for all people to live, work and play.

Trucks serving local businesses are excluded from these recommendations:

  • Creation and implementation of a truck route in Barrio Logan
  • Amendment of the Commercial Vehicle Prohibition Resolution to include all streets not on the truck route
  • Clear path for enforcement including fines and penalties for those violating the truck route

For questions regarding the Barrio Logan Clean Air and Safe Streets Ordinance, please contact Jerry at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

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On October 19, 32 participants joined our BarrioLive! tour of Barrio Logan to highlight the environmental justice work we have collectively done. The tour explored past victories as well as the current challenges found in our community, giving guests the opportunity to learn about the issues in Barrio Logan and the more than thirty-year history of EHC's work in the community. Our guests learned about our dedicated Community Action Team Members who have been advocating for ways to improve the health of our community and heard directly from our community leaders about the work that they do to for environmental justice in our neighborhoods.22496131 10155276387313640 6613728183959103081 o

After the tour, EHC hosted more than 70 people for our mixer, including long time donors and new faces, as well as partners and sponsors Barrio Logan College Institute, San Diego Convention Center, Border X Brewing, and SD Green Drinks. City Councilmember David Alvarez  joined us and awarded a proclamation to long-time community leader Maria Martinez, while her son, Panchito Martinez spoke about his experience growing up in Barrio Logan -- bringing his perspective as a second generation environmental justice advocate. The meaningful relationships we have been able to nurture throughout the years continue to ignite our organization’s passion for this important work. Thank you for being invested in building #healthyhoods -- and we'll see you on the next BarrioLive! 

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Barrio Logan is at a crossroads.

Our neighborhood has come far in the fight for environmental justice, yet we remain threatened by industrial pollution and resident displacement. By joining our BarrioLive! tour and making a contribution, you join us in our mission for a safe and healthy neighborhood.

What is BarrioLive?
Our guided neighborhood tour highlights the spirit and struggles of environmental justice in our community. You’ll meet residents and learn about the history, victories and challenges of Barrio Logan, such as:

  • The shutdown of Master Plating
  • The creation of the Chicano Community Herb Garden and Mural
  • The transition of the Port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal to non-polluting freight technology
  • The impacts of discriminatory land use and zoning on the community

When is BarrioLive?
Join us on October 19 for the BarrioLive! Tour followed by a community mixer.

Tour: The tour will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Border X Brewing (2181 Logan Ave, 92113). Parking is tight in this area, but there is a parking lot in Chicano Park, just two blocks away. The tour includes a walking component of close to 20 minutes, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Mixer: The mixer will begin immediately following the tour, going form 5:30-7 p.m. at Border X Brewing. Guests can expect to enjoy vegetarian tacos, small snacks, beer and wine. There is a suggested contribution is $10/person for non-tour guests, and live music will play after 7 p.m. for guests who wish to stay longer. Thank you San Diego Green Drinks for partnering with us for our mixer.

Want to experience our BarrioLive! tour?
Seats are limited and go quickly, so please click here to reserve yours before we sell out.

Tickets are $100 and include the tour, tour packet, EHC water bottle, snacks, mixer admission and food and beverages. Your contribution directly supports our work to build a healthier Barrio Logan from the ground up.

For more information or interest in sponsorship, contact Giuliana Schroeder at 619.773.2132 Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..
We hope you can join us.

At a community meeting in City Heights, we listened as residents expressed how they feel watching our neighborhoods change and rents rise.

“We’re seeing families who have lived here for a long time spend most of their income on rent, without much left for other essentials,” says EHC Associate Director of Policy Carolina Martinez. “We’re finally seeing improvements in City Heights after decades of people going to City Hall to request infrastructure improvements. Unfortunately, the people who will enjoy it are not the people who have been fighting for it for so long.”

One of those leaders fighting against displacement in City Heights is Maria Esparanza.

“I’ve lived in City Heights for 44 years, but we were forced to move when they put a strip mall where my home was,” says Maria. “I’m asking myself if its good or bad, because the community looks good, but they’ve displaced the people who live here.”

To learn more about how to get involved in City Heights, click here.

For a long time, Barrio Logan needed an open space to cultivate community and healthy living. After years of listening to community requests, EHC worked with residents to plant and grow the Chicano Park Herb Garden.

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At the root of the garden, our community understands that open spaces are vital to improving the health of our neighborhood. Now, local schools, organizations and residents have a place to experience nature in a hands-on way.

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The Chicano Park Herb Garden serves its ultimate purpose as an open space for Barrio Logan families to enjoy and for visitors to appreciate nature. We think that’s a victory for #healthyhoods. For more information on how you can volunteer, email Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

For many years, Maria Martinez has worked with EHC to bring environmental justice to her community of Barrio Logan. Now, her son Francisco has joined her. He recently spoke with KPBS about how his mother has inspired him with her commitment to the right of all people to live in a safe and healthy neighborhood. 

A 19-year old student at San Diego State University, Francisco joined EHC to advocate for a sustainable expansion of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in Barrio Logan.  

Francisco Martinez KPBS

"Environmental justice, to me, means communities of all backgrounds regardless of status having access to clean air, clean water, fresh produce, open spaces, that will result in healthy families, thriving communities and ultimately a better world," Francisco told KPBS. 

Yesterday, the Port of San Diego adopted a plan to expand the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in a sustainable way to protect public health and the quality of life for our communities.

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More than 500 community members successfully urged The Port to reduce pollution and incorporate community benefits into Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal expansion. Thanks to you, our voices were heard.

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Because of your efforts, the official Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal expansion plan now includes:

  • Maximum cargo throughput that is 25 percent less than in the original plan
  • 36 new pieces of electric cargo handling equipment
  • Mandatory equipment that captures and treats smokestack emissions for ships that cannot plug into shore side electricity
  • Annual equipment inventory and technology review to identify new opportunities for emission reduction
  • A renewable energy project on the terminal, such as solar panels on warehouse buildings, or an equivalent locally approved program for greenhouse gas reductions

Tenth Ave Marine Terminal Expansion 1

Thank you for making our community voice heard. We look forward to working with The Port to support a historic plan that puts environmental justice first.

Dia de los Muertos is a cultural holiday honoring the lives of friends and family who have passed away. The day celebrates the lives of those lost rather than mourns their absence.

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On November 2, EHC hosted the annual National City “Calaveritas” event at Paradise Creek Educational Park in the Old Town neighborhood of National City. “Calaveritas” translates to "little skulls." Kids and families decorated these sugar skulls, which are deeply rooted in Mexican tradition.

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We created alters with photos, flowers and decorations dedicated to our loved ones who have passed away. Hundreds of homemade sugar skulls and decorative frosting were provided thanks to community organizer Monserrat Hernandez and community leaders Alicia Sanchez and Maria C. Villanueva.

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While Port District plans a massive expansion of its operations and diesel emissions from the Tenth Avenue Terminal, the neighboring community of Barrio Logan has been ranked even higher in the newest draft of California’s environmental justice screening model, CalEnviroScreen.

The new draft version three of CalEnviroScreen, released September 6, confirms the pollution hazards and social vulnerabilities in the Barrio Logan/Logan Heights area.

Barrio Logan was already at the very top of the state in version two of CalEnviroScreen – the highest five percent of all 8,000-plus census tracts in the state. The newly released draft version shows diesel hazards a full 15 percentile points higher than previously estimated for this area. Heart attack risk – a new indicator in version three – is also high, given the relatively young age profile of the community. Asthma continues to be a prominent indicator of disadvantage in the community – Barrio Logan and Logan Heights rank even higher on the asthma indicator this time around. This version of CalEnviroScreen also includes unemployment data for Barrio Logan – which the previous version lacked for this area. Unsurprisingly, it’s high.

Another new indicator measures cost of living based on the “rent-adjusted income” – or, the average income households have left after paying rent. Areas with high housing costs and low incomes rank high on this indicator. Barrio Logan is at the 97th percentile – an alarming result that will not surprise anyone struggling with rising rents in the area.

This small community, the historic heart of Chicano art and life in San Diego, is under siege from pollution, high health burdens, high rents and high unemployment. The community needs clean air, affordable housing and good jobs. Barrio Logan children need to be able to play outside. Instead, they may be subjected to a 500 percent increase in emissions and truck traffic from Port operations at the terminal.

Another draft document just out – the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the redevelopment of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal – indicates the community will not be getting a break anytime soon.

The draft EIR evaluates the impacts of a 500 percent increase in cargo volume coming through the terminal. All this cargo would mean more ships coming, more cranes and forklifts moving cargo, more trucks, more night-time light, more noise, as many as 800 more truck trips a day and a cancer risk estimate of 197 per million – about 20 times more than the level normally considered “significant.” All the extra diesel fuel burning would also generate a huge increase in planet-harming greenhouse gas emissions – a 540 percent increase – not even counting all the emissions generated from ships crossing the ocean to get here.

EHC will be working with community residents and the Port of San Diego to get a better outcome for Barrio Logan. We believe that, at a minimum, the Port must ensure that no net increase in pollution will occur from the redevelopment. Jobs generated from the project must be high quality, and every effort must be made to hire workers from the community. And greenhouse gas emissions must be offset by corresponding decreases on Port property or in the community. Stay tuned for action alerts as the issue moves forward.

Join us on December 13 at 1 p.m. at 3165 Pacific Hwy. to demand the Port be a good neighbor to our communities.

Click here to sign our petition to tell the Port of San Diego to take its plan back to the drawing board.

Joy Williams

Joy Williams
Research Director
Environmental Health Coalition

 

 

  

Last month, community members joined us for a walking tour through Old Town National City. Together, we saw firsthand the problems our neighborhood faces and celebrated the progress we're making to find solutions.

We visited the construction site of affordable Paradise Creek apartments near a transit stop and a beautiful park. We walked the improved route to Kimball Elementary School, which has new safety features and no longer neighbors polluting industries across the street.

9 Discussion of New Stop Signs and Extended Side Walks

13 Group Photo in Front of Kimball Elementary

16 Discussion of New Street Light Posts and Speed Bumps

23 Remediated State of Safe and Clean Paradise Creek

19 Paradise Creek Walking Path Construction

30 Group Photo in Amphitheater

18 Paradise Creek Observation

5 Discussion of Paradise Creek Affordable Housing Apartments

Thank you for joining us to make National City a beautiful, safe and healthy place we're proud to call our home.

Click here to see more photos of the inspiring community tour.

Recently, The Port of San Diego announced its plans to significantly expand the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, located less than half a mile from Perkins Elementary School and residential neighborhoods in Barrio Logan. If approved, the project would bring hundreds of polluting trucks and ships to our communities every day, making our air increasingly hard to breathe and catalyzing the toxic pollution our communities already struggle with.

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By expanding the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal without a plan to address the social and environmental impacts it will cause, the Port’s current plan would:

  • Bring 800 more diesel trucks through our neighborhoods – per day. Added to existing and projected traffic, there may be over 30,000 truck trips per year through Barrio Logan.
  • Increase toxic air pollution by 600 percent. A steady flow of diesel trucks through our neighborhoods is a disastrous hazard to our health.
  • Catalyze climate change. A 540 percent increase in greenhouse gas pollution will virtually erase our progress in the fight against climate change.
  • Disturb our neighborhoods with excessive noise. We don’t deserve hundreds of noisy trucks passing by our homes, schools and workplaces.
  • Worsen traffic and parking problems. Barrio Logan needs better transit and safer streets, not more congestion.

You can use your voice to stop the Port from bringing more toxic pollution to Barrio Logan and developing the Tenth Ave. Marine Terminal in an irresponsible way that harms our communities.

Take action in three steps to tell the Port that we deserve better.

Located in San Diego County’s second oldest city, Old Town National City remains a primarily low-income Latino neighborhood with evolving surroundings. Over the past 50 years, the community has changed from a mainly residential neighborhood to a mixture of auto-related businesses located around schools and homes. Auto-body shops in residential neighborhoods burden the health of the community by emitting toxic pollution into the air we breathe.

In 2005, our community decided to combat conflicting land use and bring health back to the community with a vision for a vibrant and toxic-free neighborhood. Our plans included affordable housing within walking distance of a transit center, construction that wouldn’t damage Paradise Creek and a healthy community park to replace polluted grounds.

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After 11 years, the community’s vision has become a reality. Today, if you walk by the 24th blue line trolley station on 22nd street in National City, you will see 201 affordable Paradise Creek Apartment Homes under construction by Community Housing Works and Related California. Most recently, the project was awarded $9.2 million by the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Grant through California’s Cap-and-Trade program, which you can learn more about here. The first phase of construction will be completed in 2016 and 109 families will move into homes in December 2016.

This project, spearheaded by the community voice, has received recognition across the country including a national award from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Most importantly, the Paradise Creek Apartments set a precedent for low-income communities nationwide. National City neighbors identified the community’s needs and remained involved every step of the way.

Now, it’s your turn. Learn to become a leader in your community and make your voice heard to build a better environment to live, work and play in, because everyone deserves a healthy neighborhood.

By: Carolina Martinez, policy advocate at Environmental Health Coalition

As part of a master plan for developing the Chula Vista Bayfront, the Port of San Diego recently approved the Chula Vista Natural Resources Management Plan. This is the latest milestone in a community planning process that has been ongoing for at least two decades.

The plan is intended to protect and enhance fish and wildlife populations and habitats through environmental protection measures applicable to all development within the Chula Vista Bayfront project area.

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Laura Hunter, longtime EHC policy advocate, served as chair of the wildlife advisory group that sheparded the plan to completion.

“This is a historic agreement for the region that will guide us as we seek to improve the Chula Vista Bayfront with more recreation and economic opportunity while protecting the birds, fish, plants and animals that live here and that people love so much," she said.

Ash Israni, chairman of Pacific Companies and one of the major developers for the Bayfront Project, agreed. “It’s amazing to be in the position once again to speak in support of an element of a plan that began as a large scale development proposal with powerful public opposition," he commented. "This is now a model for collaboration and conflict resolution."

After decades of work, this victory is a tremendous step toward protecting the environmental health of the Chula Vista Bayfront, and all the plants, animals and wildlife that depend on it.

On April 14, 2016, the Port of San Diego unanimously voted to approve a new plan for National City Terminal – including the 2.5-acre expansion of Pepper Park.

National City to expand pepper park

The new plan resulted from unprecedented compromises between the City of National City, the Port of San Diego and community members. It was EHC’s policy advocate, Carolina Martinez, who opened the Port’s eyes to an inconvenient truth - the public amenities sought by the City for the bayfront were not what the residents of National City needed.

The City prizes hotels, restaurants, marinas and other tourist-serving commercial businesses that bring in revenue. While National City needs revenue, not many National City residents own boats, stay in hotels on their own waterfront or eat at pricey restaurants.

What residents do need is open, public park space where kids can play. A level, grassy area for pick-up softball and soccer games. Perhaps even a water feature – given that the bay itself and Sweetwater Channel are not safe or accessible for swimming.

Carolina and National City residents like Margarita Garcia, Leonor Garcia and Lorena Chavez impressed the Port with these realities. It responded by creating several options for redevelopment of the terminal that included more park space. Residents turned out to Port-led workshops in January of 2016 to advocate for the configurations that produced contiguous, usable park space. The new plan will provide 2.5 more acres for exactly these kinds of uses.

The decision to expand Pepper Park is a win for public participation, public health and environmental justice. EHC members from National City have fought for years for this greatly needed community improvement. This victory belongs to them.

Yesterday, National City broke ground on 201 Paradise Creek affordable housing units. This development, nationally recognized for being transit-oriented and sustainable, is a perfect example of what can happen when residents come together and get involved in the planning of their communities.

Thank you to the City of National City and the developers, Related and Community Housing Works, as well as the many other partners and people that came together to make the community's vision a reality. 

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To learn more about what this development means to the community, please click here. For more information on National City, please click here

Our annual BarrioLive! tour and mixer brought together community members and local leaders who care about #healthyhoods. The guided bus tour showed participants the problems, solutions and progress in our communities first hand.

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We stopped in Old Town National City at Kimball Elementary; the school located near two of the most polluting businesses in the the community. Today, the businesses have relocated safely away from homes and schools and the children of National City breathe cleaner air when they walk to school and play outside at recess.

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We made another important stop in Old Town National City at Paradise Creek. After ten years, on November 17, 2015, the Paradise Creek Affordable Housing Units finally broke ground. These units, once completed, will be the first transit-oriented, sustainability award winning affordable housing development in the community.

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For our last stop, we visited Chicano Park in the heart of Barrio Logan. Residents in the community have turned space underneath the freeways into an artistic expression of the community's history. Today, the park is home to vibrant murals representative of Barrio Logan's rich culture and has been recorded in the National Register of Historic Places.

The tour ended at Border X Brewing where we enjoyed appetizers, craft beer and friends new and old. 

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Thank you to everyone who attended BarrioLive! We feel grateful to know and work with people who as enthusiastic about climate justice and #healthyhoods for all as you.

On November 17, 2015, Old Town National City will break ground on the city's first transit-oriented affordable housing development: The Paradise Creek Apartment Homes.

We spoke with National City community members about what this momentous groundbreaking means to them. From better living conditions to a symbol of hope, this development means much more than just another building. 

"Paradise Creek provides a big opportunity for stabilty in my family and a huge wellness project for the community."

"For me, the Paradise Creek Apartments are like a dream come true. I have been participating in this project since it was an idea. For my family and I, the apartments represent our hope for quality of life and a better home."

"In my community in National City, the homes are in really bad shape. The Paradise Creek Apartments are an opportunity for my neighbors to live in better conditions."

"The Paradise Creek Apartments are an $80 million project. This demonstrates that nothing is impossible. We, the residents, can continue to fight to improve our community."

"The Paradise Creek Apartments are a huge accomplishment for National City residents. Those of us who work in National City will have a better quality of life."

"The Paradise Creek Apartments are really important to me. We have a lot of low income families in National City and I believe that they deserve to live in better conditions."

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National City
has long struggled with polluting businesses operating next to homes and schools - emitting toxins that poison our air and make our children sick. National City is home to 32 million pounds of hazardous substances and 870,000 cubic feet of toxic or hazardous gases. In comparison, La Jolla has 3.8 million pounds of hazardous gases. National City asthma hospitalization rates are nearly double the county average.

The community worked to approve its Westside Specific Plan in 2010, a new plan to address the impact of polluting businesses operating too close to homes and schools in the neighborhood. On November 5, 2013, National City Council called for the gradual phase out of two businesses near Kimball Elementary School- Jose’s Auto Electric and Steve’s West Coast Automotive. Today, November 5, 2015, these businesses have relocated safely away from homes and schools.

Today, the children of National City can breathe cleaner air.

We believe that no one is more entitled to determine the future of a community than the people who live there. Residents of National City have worked for decades to build #healthyhoods for their families, and the relocation of these two businesses represents a momentous victory for the neighborhood and a tremendous step toward public health and environmental justice.

Old Town residents from National City are excited to work with the Port of San Diego to expand Pepper Park, the only public park in the area. Pepper Park currently represents less than two percent of the National City Marine Terminal and on Wednesday, September 23, residents proposed expanding the park by two acres to create more space for children and the community to play.

National City and the Port of San Diego have worked extensively to get us closer to a new vision for this precious park. Residents from Old Town National City have been participating in the planning process since 2010 and want to ensure that new vision will also provide meaningful public amenities beneficial to everyone, and on September 23 we achieved our goal of expanding the park by up to three acres.

Pepper Park

Residents hoped to see Pepper Park grow enough to include a big enough area for pick-up games, just like the area in Cesar Chavez Park, and water fountains similar to those at the Waterfront Park in front of the San Diego County Administration Building. Residents wanted to ensure that open space available for public, active recreation opportunities isn’t compromised as maritime and tourism grow. 

Now, we look forward to an active and playful future for children of Old Town National City.

Thank you for helping us build #healthyhoods

Carolina Martinez 

 

 

 

 

Carolina Martinez

Policy Advocate

City Heights and National City are diverse, low income communities in the San Diego/Tijuana region of Southern California, with residents that include refugees and immigrants from over 60 countries. It is a region that is facing the impacts of climate change, including wildfires, heat waves, and water issues, and in some communities, air pollution and higher asthma rates.

The Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) works in the region to address environmental justice issues, and partnered with La Maestra Community Health Centers on a Creating a Climate for Health pilot project funded by the Public Health Institute. EHC built upon its “deep energy education” model to train La Maestra clinic staff and Promotores about the connections between climate change and health. EHC provided materials to help Promotores and staff communicate with patients about the connections, and it laid the groundwork to link both clinic personnel and patients/community members to opportunities to influence and advocate for San Diego’s Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan (CMAP). You can read more about this partnership on our brochure here

EHC one pager 44 1

EHC one pager 44 2The EHC “deep education” approach starts by working from the concerns immediately relevant to community members, and showing how their actions make a difference for their families while also making a difference for the planet. In the case of energy, for example, Promotores showed families how they could save money by reducing their energy usage, teaching them to track kilowatts, turn lights off and change out light bulbs. Families saw immediate savings, while also knowing they were reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause “calentamiento global” [global warming]. “We put it like this to the communities we work with,” said EHC Campaign Director Leticia Ayala, “Do we want to do something? Or do we want to do nothing?”

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Recently, the governor took a step forward in reducing pollution from California's freight system. This important step will reduce the emissions from the ships, cranes, trucks and trains that harm our communities with dirty air and toxic pollution. With this action, the governor ordered seven state agencies to work on projects and plans that transition toward zero-emission technologies. The governor’s order brings hope to communities such as Barrio Logan and west National City that stand most directly in harm’s way from freight diesel impacts.

In our region, and many others around the state, the most impacted communities are those that benefit the least from the global economy and the relentless flow of “goods” through them. Year after year, the Barrio Logan area leads the region in rates of children’s visits to emergency rooms for asthma – a condition known to be aggravated and possibly caused by proximity to traffic pollution.

We applaud the governor for his support for aggressive action to advance the development of zero-emission technologies. Only by eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels can we sustain economic vitality and also meet California’s climate goals and protect our communities from the many health-damaging effects of exposure to diesel.

Joy WilliamsJoy Williams
Research Director
Environmental Health Coalition

Over a decade ago, EHC began collaborating with Hesperian Health Guides on a health handbook for factory workers. At the time, the general consensus was that job safety and health pertained only to physical problems caused by machines or chemicals at work, like getting shocked by frayed electric cords or breathing fumes.

But EHC and Hesperian Health incorporated a comprehensive understanding of health that included workplace violence, discrimination and gender issues, basic healthcare access, pollution from factories and the link between healthy workplaces and healthy neighborhoods. EHC even gathered direct and specific feedback on the materials from workers. Pictured below is a border event organized by EHC to review early drafts of Workers’ Guide to Health and Safety.

hesperian border event

Workers’ Guide to Health and Safety was published on May 1st of this year, “a long process but with a great result,” as Martha Ojeda, EHC partner and director of the Fe y Justicia Center said, and “a powerful tool for all workers worldwide.” Martha was one of Hesperian’s earliest partners, helping lead an extensive community validation and field-testing process with women workers on the border.

The field-test led to the creation of a section called “Beyond the factory walls.” The chapter on pollution discusses how work hazards may be experienced in the surrounding community, not just during work. This was most clearly visible with chemical hazards. But of course, workers shared much more about their lives and struggles. Their stories of organizing are told throughout the book.

Workers’ Guide offers workers and their supporters the practical tools they need to take action for their health at work. It expands the notion of “workplace health” to include the social and political determinants of health, from problems like low wages and harassment, to mental health and safe water. Workers go home to their families after work, so Workers’ Guide includes the problems of pollution, substandard housing and services, and other “social hazards” that affect so many workers.

magdalena hesperian

Pictured left is Magdalena Cerda, EHC’s Campaign Director – Border Environmental Justice, holding the Spanish draft of Workers’ Guide. Magdalena led field-testing with women maquiladora workers. EHC is proud to have helped build this book and we are excited to continue to collaborate with Hesperian to get this material in the languages of the people we serve and in the hands of those that will use it to improve their lives.

How to read and use this book:

  • Download free chapters  
  • Buy a book 
  • Send a book to a workers center 
  • Help us raise funds to develop the Spanish edition of Workers’ Guide
  • Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. with comments or suggestions. 

In 2005, we worked with community members in Old Town National City to orchestrate the Westside Specific Plan; the community's vision for a vibrant and toxic-free neighborhood. The plan noted the importance of affordable housing units that didn't damage National City’s Paradise Creek, replaced polluted grounds with a healthy community park and was within walking distance of a trolley station.

paradise creek national city

After ten years, the community’s vision has become a reality. Today, if you walk by the 24th blue line trolley station on 22nd street, you will see people cleaning toxic soil in preparation for the construction of Paradise Creek Apartment Homes- 201 brand-new affordable housing units, developed by Community Housing Works and Related California, predicted to look like the image below. Construction begins in 2015 and plans to finish by 2017.

Paradise Creek Apartments

This project, spearheaded by the community voice, has received recognition across the country, receiving a national award from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The innovative and visionary development has uplifted communities nationwide to use toxic pollution and a lack of transportation justice into opportunities to build better communities and #healthyhoods. We commend National City for prioritizing land use for and committing resources to the Paradise Creek Apartment Homes to help make this community vision a reality.The people of Old Town National City have made history and continue to inspire others to do the same.

Old Town National City is making history. For decades, residents have struggled with pollution from local auto body shops operating too close to homes and schools. Children’s emergency room visits for asthma have become disproportionately high in the neighborhood, nearly doubling the county average in 2012. In 2010, the people of National City united to guide the Westside Specific Plan; Old Town National City’s plan for a future of healthy communities.

Auto body shops, while often too close to homes, parks and schools, provide well paying jobs for the neighborhood and stimulate the local economy. With an innovative approach and commitment to healthy neighborhoods,  a win-win situation was born.

The idea is a designated area, away from residential areas, where autobody shops can continue local operations while minimizing pollution in the neighborhood. This “small business incubator” is known as a Green Industrial Auto Park and it turns empty, unused land into sustainable areas for auto body shops to flourish.

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With a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EHC worked with Estolano LeSar Perez Advisors to conduct a yearlong study analyzing whether a Green Industrial Auto Body Park in National City was possible. The study considered perspectives from landowners, business owners and residents as well as investigated brownfield sites and researched private and public funding sources.

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What did the study show? It showed that a Green Industrial Auto Park was wholly feasible for National City.

Beaming with excitement, we presented the findings to the City Council in National City on May 19, 2015, where Council directed City staff to return with recommendations for next steps.

Policy advocate Carolina Martinez said, “Auto body shops are important to the local economy, but right now they’re too close to our homes and schools. This study shows we can group auto shops together in an environmentally conscious park to reduce harmful health impacts on residents. It shows National City can lead with bold solutions for both community health and local economic growth. It’s a creative win-win for everyone.”

Old Town National City residents continue to inspire us with their commitment to making their community a healthier place to live. This solution brings us one step closer to making history and fulfilling National City’s vision for both a healthy neighborhood and a thriving economy.

To read the study and learn more about Old Town National City, please click here

If you want to know what is happening in your community and how you can get involved, you’re not alone. Dozens of residents show up at our community meetings each month to learn about making a positive difference in their neighborhoods. Read below and join us at the next meeting in your community.

City Heights CAT 3

What are community meetings?

A few times a month we goes into our core communities (Barrio Logan, National City, Sherman Heights and City Heights) to speak directly to residents about the issues affecting their neighborhood, the region that we live in and their families. Often we give a brief presentation and answer questions about hot community topics such as climate change, air pollution and transportation justice. We typically hold these meetings in the evening and provide dinner, childcare and translation for English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Why do community meetings matter?

Community meetings bring together residents who want to improve their neighborhoods, build a better future for themselves and their children and join a movement. We hope to empower neighborhoods and unite communities to form a strong, persistent and informed voice that speaks up for environmental health issues and pushes for victories that make real change.

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Who can go to community meetings?

Anyone who wants to improve the quality of life in his or her neighborhood or learn more about their neighborhood and the health of their family can go to community meetings.

When are community meetings?

The schedule changes every month. Check our Facebook or sign up to get our monthly newsletter for meeting notifications. You can also contact Franco for more information at (619) 474-0220 ext, 164 or Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

Do I need to buy a ticket or RSVP?

No. Just show up. 

Can I bring my kids?

Absolutely. We even have childcare available at the meetings so they won’t be bored.

What else do I need to know?

We want you to be there. You don’t need to know, bring or do anything besides an open mind and an eagerness to learn and get involved in creating #healthyhoods.

Please join us at a community meeting! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out about the next meeting in your neighborhood.

Do you live near the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway (SR-94) or commute to downtown San Diego from the South Bay? Then you're probably tired of sitting in traffic, breathing polluted air and living trapped in so few safe and affordable transportation options. 

This doesn't have to be our reality. San Diego has the opportunity to improve public transit, walking paths and biking options to positively impact our air quality, health and commutes. 

94 example freeway structureThe San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has proposed plans that make things worse along the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, suggesting spending $500-600 million to widen the freeway with an elevated ramp (similair to the one pictured to the right) that would accommodate transit systems and high-occupancy vehicles.

Unforrtunately, SANDAG’s proposal for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway negatively impacts communities in several ways.

There are more efficient, effective and healthy options available. EHC works with residents to ensure funds spent on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway corridor go toward:

  • Improving transit, walking and biking safety and benefits for the region and for communities near the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway
  • Reducing air pollution caused by surrounding freeway traffic

Will you join us? You can make a huge difference as a voice for your community. Contact Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. to get information and get involved.

port sunsetThe Port of San Diego and the UT both released stories recently about the Port’s dramatically reduced air pollution and greenhouse gases from its operations between 2006 and 2012. And it is good news for our climate, for the region as a whole, and for the workers at the Port terminals and the residents of neighborhoods immediately downwind, such as Barrio Logan and west National City. While we join the Port in welcoming the downward trend in emissions, we must offer some additional perspectives and a note of caution.

1. Port Operations are a small piece of the emissions pie along San Diego Bay.

The Port’s report covers only the emissions from Port operations themselves. The Port is not tracking emissions from their tenants, such as the shipyards or other waterfront industries, nor from the airport or the Navy.

Why is that important? While the Port manages operations within some of the operations along San Diego Bay, including the cargo terminals in San Diego and National City, the Port leases 66 percent of the land (not including the airport and the Navy) to a variety of tenants, including shipbuilding and repair companies, a gas turbine manufacturer, several large hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Port operations are a small portion of emissions compared to those of its tenants, not to mention the airport and Navy. For example, one Port tenant--General Dynamics-NASSCO-- was the single largest air pollution emitter in the U.S. EPA’s most recent Toxic Release Inventory, the federal right-to-know law.

A full and transparent accounting of the air quality impact of the Port must include the emissions of all businesses along the bay. The lungs of people downwind do not distinguish between the pollutants from Port operations and those of Port tenants.

2. “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Some portion of the drop in Port air emissions was due to the severe economic recession of 2008, which reduced both cruise and cargo ship traffic for several years. The Port’s report acknowledges this impact, but not the concerning corollary-- as the economy picks up again, emissions will rise. New growth at the Port’s cargo and cruise terminals must be accompanied by new investment in clean technologies, such as electrification of diesel emission sources. Workers and downwind residents should not subsidize economic growth with their health.

3. Requirements are more effective than asking nicely.Port sid voorakkara and rafael castellanos for port commission

State and federal regulations drove a large part of the emission reductions as well. California Air Resources Board laws that were adopted or went into effect since 2006 forced reductions in emissions of ships and trucks visiting California terminals by requiring trucks to use cleaner emissions technologies and ships to use electricity, rather than diesel engines, while docked at shore. The Port, to its credit, made California’s port truck rule (Drayage Truck Rule) more effective by banning noncompliant trucks from cargo terminals starting in 2011.

Regulations work far more effectively than voluntary programs. The Port, the State, and local governments should learn from this and keep implementing more requirements to reduce emissions and use cleaner technologies, for the sake of our health and our future.

Low-income communities of color have long struggled with racist land use policies and practices that diminish their health, safety and quality of life, resulting in incompatible community development due to the permitting of industrial facilities next to homes, schools and open spaces. At the root of this all-too-common pattern are discriminatory land use regulations, such as zoning, that do not protect the community's health.

The community of Barrio Logan, one of San Diego's oldest neighborhoods, currently contains an unhealthy mix of homes, schools, and industries, turning it into a microcosm of environmental racism, including:

  • A community of color created by racially discriminatory real estate covenants
  • Encroachment of industry into residential areas
  • Destructive effects of highways and bridges
  • Failure of government to provide services, provide protective zoning, and keep their promises, and ultimately
  • The conversion of a once vibrant community into a land of junkyards, poverty, and substandard housing

barriologanpatioview

Much of this transformation took place from the 1920s to 1950s, but the community was physically torn apart in the 60s. In 1963, Interstate 5 was built through the middle of Logan Heights – the area to the northeast of the freeway retained the name of Logan Heights, while the area to the southwest became known as Barrio Logan. In 1967, the Coronado Bridge was built over the new community, dissecting the new area of Barrio Logan. Thousands of homes were destroyed and families displaced by these events.

This period also sparked the birth of San Diego Chicano Park. The land that was promised as a park under the bridge was instead to be turned into a highway patrol station but people revolted. Eventually Chicano Park was created, an iconic area now home to world-famous murals. A free health clinic was also established, many of the junkyards were eliminated and in 1978 the Barrio Logan/Harbor 101 Community Plan was adopted.

Since 1978, this neighborhood has not seen a community plan update, making it the most outdated community plan in San Diego. Imagine for a moment the changes in your community since the late 70s; the technology, innovations and new businesses that have come to be. Then think about your neighborhood. Do you have metal-plating industries on your street? How about petroleum distributers or major metal recyclers?

Barrio Logan suffers from the outdated land-use zoning in its current 1978 community plan which allows polluting industries to operate across the street and next to homes, schools, and parks. Without areas designated for commercial, homes and industries, the residents of Barrio Logan continue breathing the toxic fumes of the factories next door and children visit the emergency room three times more than the counties average due to asthma incidents.

yesbccouncilEnvironmental Health Coalition (EHC) along with community residents have fought for decades for a new community plan and zoning in the community, spending the last five years coming together to develop a new, healthier plan that works for residents and businesses. In October of 2013 the San Diego City Council approved the plan but after billion-dollar, out-of-state corporations launched a referendum to mislead San Diego voters, which resulted in placing the new adopted plan to a citywide vote. In June of 2014 the Barrio Logan community plan was overturned by citywide voters, but more than 75 percent of voters surrounding the Barrio Logan community supported the plan, making a strong and clear statement that Barrio Logan wants a healthy and safe neighborhood.

yesbcggWith our ever-growing community voice, we know Barrio Logan will earn a new community plan to make the neighborhood a healthy, safe place for families to thrive and grow just like the rest of San Diego. Until then, we continue to stand up for what we know every community deserves: environmental justice and a toxic-free future.

If you are interested in learning more about getting involved in your region's community planning, check out our inspirational video that empowers real people to become leaders for health and justice in their communities just the way EHC community members have. The video shows impacts of toxic pollution and discriminatory land-use policies in ways that anyone can understand, empowering everyone to become involved in planning and policymaking. You can sign in and watch the video here.

LeadPoisononingPreventionWeek

Did you know its National Lead-Poisoning Prevention Week? EHC works to ensure our communities understand the hazards of lead poisoning and what you can do to prevent children from becoming sick.

Lead is a dangerous metal, harmful to developing brains and responsible for irreversible developmental problems. Lead can be most commonly found in the lead-based paint and paint chips from homes built before 1979. Children may get sick by breathing or ingesting dust from this paint as it deteriorates over time.

Not too long ago, lead was present in many of our favorite candies. Environmental Health Coalition, the California Attorney General's Office and partners spearheaded the early 2000s movement to regulate lead levels in candy. After a thorough investigation, lawsuit and a statewide law, California now requires candy manufacturers operate within strict legal standards and undergo regular audits to ensure compliance. As a result, candy sold in stores today has been tested for lead levels and certified as lead free.

Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick, which is why it's important to get a blood-lead test every year until age six. It is also important for pregnant mother’s to get their blood-lead levels tested. The test only requires a finger prick and offers results in less than three minutes. You can find information on the next free blood-lead testing here.

Please explore our website to learn more about lead poisoning in children and read our frequently asked questions about lead-free candy to learn how to keep your family healthy and safe.

If you think your home may have lead-based paint, you may be eligible to have it tested and remediated for free. Call our community organizer at (619) 474-0220 ext. 141 for more information.

WHAT:

After more than ten years of community struggle, Barrio Logan residents and Environmental Health Coalition celebrated a monumental victory for public health as the owner of Master Plating agreed to stop operating by October 15, 2002 through a settlement agreement that requires a complete clean-up.

Master Plating 12

WHY:

Master Plating was a decorative chrome plater operating in extremely close proximity to families and homes. Responding to community demands state and county officials conducted air monitoring that showed levels of chromium 6 detected near the plating company 28 times higher than typical urban areas. Chromium 6 is a toxic air pollutant that can increase the risk of cancer even at very low levels. The highest levels were found in the front and back of the Martinez family residence, located next door to Master Plating.

Master Plating had over 150 violations of environmental health rules in a five year period and pleaded no contest to illegal disposal of hazardous waste in the storm drain and trash in 1994.

Master Plating 13NEXT:

In 2002, the City of San Diego acknowledged the need for a new community plan in Barrio Logan. There are dozens of facilities like Master Plating in Barrio Logan, and the health of local residents can't wait for problems to be addressed one by one. The problem must be addressed from a broader perspective and the closure of Master Plating should be a kickoff to this process.

WHO:

  • Environmental Health Coalition – a nonprofit organization fighting toxic pollution in underserved communities in San Diego and Tijuana
  • Barrio Logan community members
  • Master Plating

WHERE:

Newton Ave, Barrio Logan – within several feet of homes

WHEN:

September, 2002 after more than ten years of community advocacy.

This morning I had the pleasure of joining doctors, nurses and healthcare advocates at the UCSD Medical Center to publicly announce their endorsement of the Yes on B & C campaign to protect children's health in San Diego and uphold the Barrio Logan community plan update. 

press conference 1

In the first public media appearance by the campaign, the healthcare professionals reflected on Earth Day and the environmental health effects of polluting businesses next to schools, playgrounds and residences that threaten environmental health and justice in San Diego.

I had the chance to speak, announcing that kids in Barrio Logan have the same right to clean air and healthy neighborhoods as every other community in San Diego and the entire city should support Propositions B & C - to protect all of our childrens' health. 

For those of you who may not know, children and families have felt the effects of poor land-use policies since the Barrio Logan communtiy plan was last updated in 1978 and this update gives the community a new chance at having healthy communities by desgnating specific zones for homes, business and industry. This morning's attendees all agreed that the current, incompatible and polluting land-use policies in Barrio Logan must be changed to reverse the trend of unhealthy air causing high asthma rates among our kids.

"The asthma trends affecting Barrio Logan's children are clearly documented," said Dr. Martin Stein, MD Pediatrician. "If Yes on B & C and Barrio Logan's plan isn't upheld, the families there will continue to suffer from a lack of healthy air that sends kids to emergency rooms three times as often as the rest of our county."

press conference 4Barrio Logan is one of many communities in San Diego working on updating outdated community plans to improve neighborhood health, economic development and overall quality of life. There is concern that if Propositions B & C are defeated and the Barrio Logan Plan is repealed, a dangerous precedent could be set, threatening community planning and healthy neighborhoods across the city.

"This isn't a just a threat to Barrio Logan," said Michael Jackson, RN, UCSD Medical Center ER nurse. "If B & C don't pass, we could see children's health in peril all over San Diego."

Voting "Yes" on B & C will uphold the community's plan to keep toxics, pollutants, carcinogens, and flammable chemicals, a safe distance away from schools, playgrounds and homes and increases jobs in our city. Protect our children's health and vote "Yes" on B & C! To learn more, visit www.yesonbandc.com.

Thank you for your continued support for children's healh and Barrio Logan's right to toxic-free air.  

- Georgette Gomez

 

In its April 16 UT Editorial, "The real polluters of Barrio Logan," UT San Diego has conveniently drawn data selectively from the Barrio Logan Community Plan environmental analysis, creating a falsified scapegoat for toxic businesses to hide behind. Instead of sticking up for San Diego's children and the opportunity to provide a better life, the UT is promoting bogus claims.

Barrio Logan view from FJV

One of San Diego's busiest freeways, I-5, runs through the neighborhood and industrial shipyards surround the community. Within the boundaries of Barrio Logan, auto body and plating shops operate next door to homes and schools. We know the pollution is a combination of all of these, but we cannot move I-5 or the shipyards.

So, instead of giving up and feeling helpless, the residents of Barrio Logan, the City of San Diego and key stakeholders—including industry— took five years to consider all points of view and generate an all-around solution that can change conditions in the community - better land-use zoning, currently an outdated mess created in 1978.

The new community plan re-zones Barrio Logan so residents and polluting businesses can both operate safely. The buffer zone separates the neighborhood from the heavy industries and shipyards while the rezoning establishes industrial, commercial and residential areas within the community.

The Barrio Logan community plan is not a perfect solution to decades of neglect and discriminatory land-use practices. For right now, this is the first step toward moving families and children away from the polluting industry next door. A YES vote on propositions B and C allows the neighborhood to take that first step.

The major industrial sources of pollution, the shipyards, should act now to reduce pollution they allege to be concerned about, instead of fighting every proposed change for decades – not just in Barrio Logan, but also cleaning up San Diego Bay, rerouting diesel trucks and using less-toxic chemicals. There is no argument that there is much more work needed to clean up Barrio Logan. For now, YES on B and C is the immediate answer.

Georgette Gomez
Environmental Health Coalition

Wow. Our 2014 Awards Celebration: Victory for Healthy Communities, presented by Pacifica Companies, simply knocked the ball out of the park.

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With friends, neighbors, allies, fellow advocates, business owners, sponsors and elected officials, we came together on Thursday, April 10, 2014, and had an incredible night of laughter, good food, award presentations and of course, selfies.

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Click here to view our full gallery of event photos.

Nearly 300 folks spent their Thursday evening supporting EHC and helping us recognize the incredible work done by our #healthyhoods heroes. These heroes include:

Spirit of Justice Award: Ruth Heifetz, EHC founding board member and senior lecturer at UCSD School of Medicine; For a lifetime of dedication to raising awareness among students, professionals, workers and residents to the hazards of toxic pollution.

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Champion Award:

  • Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, City of National City councilwoman; For leadership on the Westside Specific Plan, the implementation of phasing out polluting businesses, adding 201 affordable housing units and more.
  • Lara Gates, plan update manager at the City of San Diego; For stewardship of the Barrio Logan community plan update, enabling all stakeholders to find a just outcome to neighborhood land-use issues.

Community Award:

  • Adriana Alfaro, EHC leader; For years of dedication to improving Old Town National City and tireless work towards achieving environmental justice in the San Diego region.
  • Maria Martinez, EHC leader and promotora; For leading and inspiring community members in Barrio Logan to fight for a healthier neighborhood.
  • The National City and Barrio Logan Community Action Teams; For standing strong as community leaders in National City and Barrio Logan and organizing and empowering other residents to have a voice in the issues effecting their neighborhood.



Using the hashtag #healthyhoods to capture moments for Twitter and Instagram, our guests helped document the evening one selfie at a time. Cumulatively, EHCSanDiego and friends posted close to 150 tweets during the event and got #healthyhoods trending in San Diego; meaning it was the most talked about Twitter subject in San Diego on the evening of April 10. One lucky social media maven even won an EHC t-shirt for tweeting at EHCSanDiego and hashtagging #healthyhoods throughout the event with photos and clever 140-character-or-less phrases.

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Click here to view what all our guests said about #healthyhoods.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including: San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, MAAC, Port of San Diego, the California Endowment, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, the United Food & Commercial Workers Union and Ryan Brothers Coffee.

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We can't say thank you enough to everyone who joined us to honor the people making healthy and safe communities a possibility for National City, Barrio Logan and all of San Diego. We are humbled and honored to know and work with all of you. See you next year!

national-city-fireIt's the nightmare we all wished wouldn't happen, but it does.

On march 23 at about 5 p.m., the E & S Autobody Shop located on Hoover Street and 11th Avenue exploded. Many of the Old Town National City residents communicated the incident to us here at EHC. They reported hearing explosions next to their homes, followed by a fire and toxic fumes. The black cloud of smoke could be seen from J street in Chula Vista, and the fumes are lingering even twelve hours past the incident.

Although unfortunate, it is not a surprise.

Jose Medina, an Old Town National City resident who lives roughly a block and half from the exploded business, shares how E & S Autobody Shop "is a big violator of clean air regulations in the 'hood'; continuously painting outside in the public way, in a neighborhood with homes and schools."

In fact, since 2011, residents together with EHC have reported over 20 code complaints for E & S Autobody Shop because of the business' unlawful painting of cars on the street and its after hours operation.

old-town-national-city-fireE & S Autobody is one of dozens of industrial uses located in the Old Town National City community threating the health, safety and quality of life of these families every day. We see the everyday life impacts these businesses have on humans reflected in children's asthma hospitalization rates in National City that rank above the county's average. In addition, the city currently ranks in the top 5 percent of California Environmental Protection Agency's CalEnviroScreen tool, which identifies communities that are disproportionally burdened by multiple sources of pollution.

In order to resolve this incompatible land use issue, EHC has worked with the community to phase out these industrial uses. The amortization ordinance that was passed in 2006, grants the City Council of National City the ability to order industrial uses (non-conforming uses as a result of the 2010 Westside Specific Plan) to be terminated within a reasonable amount of time, upon recommendation of the planning commission. National City is currently implementing the phase out of the first two businesses.

Today, the phase out of these toxic uses is ever more pressing. We cannot wait for one more explosion or a fire next to Kimball Elementary. Old Town National City residents deserve to live in a safe and toxic free community.

 

national-city-auto-body-firenational-city-fire-residents

Recently, Executive Director Diane Takvorian spoke at the Port of San Diego's launch of Shorepower- a new Port process reducing operational air pollution. 


Shorepower provides a significant reduction in diesel particulate matter (air pollution). This advancement is critically important for Barrio Logan given the staggering asthma rates in children and the overall air pollution.

We know what happens on the working waterfront greatly affects our surrounding communities, and we applaud the Port's actions to reduce pollution. We also recognize City of San Diego's effort through its adoption of the Barrio Logan community plan update

The shipyards should follow the actions of the Port and the City and abandon their efforts to undo the Barrio Logan Plan plan. Instead, they should focus attention on reducing their own air emissions – estimates are that the shipyards alone emit over one ton of diesel particulate pollution and another 175 tons of toxic pollution into the community.

Congratulations to the Port of San Diego, and we look forward to taking more toxic-free steps together.

As a kid growing up in the LA air basin during the smoggy 50s and 60s, I thought of irritated eyes and a sore chest as normal parts of life. The sky on hot summer afternoons was a brownish yellow shade, and the air sometimes made your eyes water. In my later childhood years, I came to view air pollution as a symbol of how radically alienated from nature Southern California life was; as I thought of it in apocalyptic, if poetic, terms, we had poisoned heaven. Later, in college, I learned to think in more analytical, and hopeful, ways -- smog could be analyzed, understood and to a large extent, controlled. The ochre-brown color came from nitrogen oxides; the lung-damaging substance was ozone. Particulates added a hazy quality. It wasn't an amorphous cloud of human failure hanging over our cities, it was a specific set of pollutants with knowable causes and controls. If you increased the fuel efficiency of cars and added on catalytic converters, the air quality got better. And the photochemical smog picture of SoCal actually has improved since the 60s.

Freight Report 3

While ozone levels have improved, California has seen a massive increase in diesel pollution from trucks, trains and ships. As the economy globalized and manufacturing jobs went to lower wage countries (another catastrophe that is not inevitable), goods are shipped here from all over the world, unloaded at California's ports and trucked or shipped by rail all over the US.

Unlike smog, diesel pollution is more concentrated near emission sources, such as ports, freeways and rail yards. These diesel hot spots, as we all know, tend to be located in poorer, people of color communities. The result? More frequent and severe asthma, earlier deaths from heart and lung diseases, more premature and low-birth-weight babies, and maybe more of a wide range of other disorders, including diabetes and autism. Not to mention the safety hazards of heavy duty trucks on narrow surface streets, and the lights, noise and vibrations of massive shipping and warehousing operations.

Freight Report 2A new report released this month by the California Cleaner Freight Coalition (of which EHC is a member) concludes that there are cleaner freight alternatives that go well beyond today's cleanest diesel and natural gas powered trucks to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. For local and short haul trips, using electric transportation powered by a clean electricity grid provides the greatest overall reduction in pollutants, and can eliminate tailpipe emissions in communities where freight movement occurs. For regional trips, moving goods by train and ship can reduce emissions compared to today's cleanest diesel trucks, if the cleanest engine technologies are used. Read the executive summary here, or the full report here. 

So, it's time to move past the idea that diesel is inevitable and the best we can do is to put filters on the trucks. We can start moving now toward zero- or near-zero emission technologies. This is life saving technology, and there's no excuse for delay.

What else isn't inevitable? Readers who are waiting breathlessly for further information about my intellectual development will be relieved to learn that I don't think technology is the whole solution. Belatedly I stumbled onto the idea that things happen because people in power make decisions about them. Bad land use, outsourced jobs, freeways cut through historic communities, distribution centers sited next to schools, all of them in disadvantaged areas – none of these are unplanned, smog-like emanations from our culture. Specific people made specific decisions that led directly to these results. Sure, there is institutional inertia, timid regulators, lack of imagination, laziness and stupidity. But beyond all that, there are decision-makers. In truth, the most important pollution control device is a functioning democracy.

 

Joy Williams has been the research director for Environmental Health Coalition for nearly thirty years. Find out more about Joy and her work here.

BL CPU Hector's Home

BL CPU NASSCO home

  • Corporate industry said the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update would threaten 46,000 jobs - According to a City report, it brings close to 5,000 new jobs to the community, a 47 percent increase.
  • Corporate industry the Navy would leave San Diego - The Navy publicly announced they are neutral to the issue entirely.
  • Corporate industry said apartment complexes would be built over the shipyards - zero residential construction is allowed with this plan
  • Corporate industry says it would run out all maritime businesses - All existing businesses are allowed to stay and can even expand up to twenty percent.
  • Corporate industry doesn't like the community plan update - They were involved in every step of the planning process.

Why are corporate industries telling San Diego lies? 

We do know the people fighting the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update are NOT the people who live in, or even near, Barrio Logan. These peoples' homes are far removed from any industries. They live in neighborhoods with proper zoning and health standards, as every neighborhood should have, but doesn't.

These people live toxic-free lives (see first image). The people of Barrio Logan do not (see second image).

This is why we need to support the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update and put it on the June ballot.

Please join us at City Council on Tuesday, December 17 at 2 p.m. (202 C St, 12th floor) to demand a democratic process and every persons right to live in a healthy community. We'll see you there.

You may have seen them-- the petitioners outside of every grocery store in San Diego collecting signatures to oppose the Barrio Logan Community Plan, which City Council already approved in both September and October.

Well San Diego, you have been lied to. Lied to about a neighborhood not far from where you live that has suffered from toxic pollution, chronic asthma and environmental injustices for nearly thirty years. It finally has a chance to become healthy and toxic-free by separating local homes from industries, but the polluters are multi-billion-dollar industries that don't care about our communities.

I recorded this video at the Ralph's in Mission Valley and this video to expose how far from the truth these signature gatherers really are.


Here is the truth about the Barrio Logan community plan:
 It was drafted through a five-year, City-led planning process. It designates a heavy industrial zone away from homes and schools to create a clear separation of industrial and residential zones, along with a buffer zone that incorporates office buildings and parking structures to make Barrio Logan a safe place to live and play.

Do you think community members would draft a plan that eliminates jobs that they need, or that City Council would approve it, twice? These are blatant lies to scare you.

Barrio Logan TRUTH

While industry supporter Chris Wahl regards this as an "isolated incident," our social media followers have had their own encounters.

"Same "isolated" incident at the Albertsons on University in North Park. The signature gatherer did not appreciate it when I loudly protested his claim of a 46,000 maritime job loss."

"Same "isolated" incident at Home Depot on Balboa and Genesee. My wife got into an arguement with the women there, who was incredibily rude! She went inside and complained to the store manager. These people are getting paid for these signatures and the folks who are simply out shopping don't have a clue. WHAT A SHAME!"

"Chris Wahl of the Protect our Jobs Coalition, which I interpret as a front for Port of SD Ship Repair and others in the industry has way more signatures than he needed--because the hired signature gatherers were simply asking people "sign here to save jobs." The real issue, toxins and their effects on Barrio Logan kids, never surfaced."

"Last Saturday I spoke with one of the petition folks. He said that the plan will result in building 500 homes in land currently used for industrial purposes. I asked to see a map of the area and he told me if the issue goes for a vote then I will see the map. When I pressed him to see the map he told me to leave."

"I got the same story from a signature gatherer outside Trader Joe's in Mission Valley a week ago Wednesday. It took a while for me to figure out that the petition was to rescind the City Council's decision and was backed by business, not the community. I told him I would not sign."

"I heard the same lies from signature gatherers at three different grocery stores. All three talked about the community plan causing the loss of thousands of jobs. This was two weeks ago at Sprouts on Third Street in Chula Vista, last week at Sprouts on Rosecrans, and yesterday at Whole Foods in Hillcrest."

EHC continues to support our communities and stand up to the massive polluting industries trying to silence them.

You can help by commenting on our Facebook with your petitioner experiences and spreading the truth about the Barrio Logan community plan to everyone you know. Don't sign any more petitions!

Thank you.

Diane Takvorian
Executive Director

Today the UT San Diego reports that the Barrio Logan community plan referendum will turn in 52,000 signatures to the city by November 1.  

But these signatures were recruited with proposterous lies.

Signature petitioners outside of popular grocery stores in San Diego have been using outrageous and fabricated lies to collect signatures to repeal the Barrio Logan community plan-- which City Council democratically voted to pass TWICE -- once on September 17 and again on October 15. 

I recently came across one of these petitioners myself in Mission Valley, to which industry spokesperson Chris Wahl quickly wrote off as an "isolated incident". 

So I am sharing this video that I captured of two scattered individuals bringing up some of the most blatant lies I've heard to this day.

The TRUTH is, it's not isolated. Not one bit.

I've had coworkers, friends, neighbors and social media followers tell me these "isolated incidents" have happened to them as well. Today we received a private message on our Facebook:

"Diane Takvorian, I saw the UT article this a.m. Yours was NOT an isolated incident, and Wahl is a bold-faced liar. Last week I was at that Ralph's, was pitched to "help save 60,000 jobs"; asked the young man who he represented; he did not know. When I told him there was another side to the issue, the health of kids breathing that toxic air, a man who was signing up stopped, said he had to think about it....Had a negative experience leaving by the other door. Just wanted you to know--and you are right; when voters know the truth."

Other comments recieved via Facebook read,

"Just walked past a person collecting signatures for the referendum on the Barrio Logan community plan...I wonder how residents of North Park, Liberty Station or OB (as examples) would feel about voters anywhere else in the city making decisions about development projects or zoning laws in their neighborhood..."

"Where's my Don't Tread On Me flag? At $1.75 per signature, once again Democracy is for sale."

"I ran into two of them today, one in MV and the other in North Park. They are shameless about the lies claiming that the Navy base is going to be closed and condos put up instead."

We've even heard it in-person.

Mia Bolton, resident of Ocean Beach, recently told us she heard the same lies coming from a signature gatherer outside of Trader Joe's in Mission Valley. The man "blatantly had no idea what he was talking about," says Bolton. "He kept saying the Barrio Logan community plan was going to kick out small businesses and replace them with hotels and condos, resulting in the loss of good jobs. Now I know for a fact this is a bold-faced lie, but does everyone else leaving Trader Joe's?"

Do you think City Council would pass a plan, TWICE, that is said to eliminate 46,000 jobs?

Or that the hard-working residents of Barrio Logan would come together for over five years to develop a plan that threw away nearly half a million jobs-- many of their own?

The answer is no.

The TRUTH has been, and remains to be that zero jobs will be lost because of this plan. 

Voice of San Diego said it best -- "That nine-block area isn't home to 46,000 jobs. It's not even home to the 14,000 jobs that take place at the Port. It is, however, home to a handful of small businesses that work hand-in-hand with the shipyard (and those existing companies will be able to stay open, but their expansion options will be limited). So what's all this talk of 46,000 jobs if we're really talking about whether new businesses can open in a few block area?"

The fact that the comprimised health of an underserved community is being decided by lying petition gatherers paid per signature is not democracy. It is an enormous sham, and they're busted. And it definitely, absolutely, one hundred percent is NOT an isolated incident. 

-- Diane Takvorian, executive director

Truth Alternative 1

Tuesday, September 17, 2013: A day to be remembered in San Diego history as the day Barrio Logan secured a safe and healthier future with the adoption of a new community plan. With City Council's approval late Tuesday night, environmental justice was restored to Barrio Logan while faith was restored among residents and community members after years of inequality.

Alternative 1 30For the past thirty years, toxic industries have encroached on Barrio Logan, polluting the air and putting the neighborhood at a less than desirable spot in the top five percent of vulnerability in the state.

"This is a community that has been asked to make room for everything," Georgette Gómez, associate director of EHC, told City Councilmembers. "We strongly believe that Alternative 1 encompasses everything that is needed. Now you have the opportunity to do what is right for both communities. Now is the time to validate the people that live here. We urge you to please adopt Alternative 1."

Alternative 1 9

Yesterday, hundreds of people packed into City Council Chambers to show support for an update to the Barrio Logan Community Plan – which hasn't seen any modifications in over three decades.

Alternative 1 19

EHC and community leaders addressed City Council in person to put a face to Alternative 1. They shared the treasures of Barrio Logan and the struggles industrial pollution has continued to impose on their neighborhoods and families.

Alternative 1 4

At the end of the evening, City Council finally voted in favor of Alternative 1 with a 5-4 split.

Alternative 1 20EHC would like to personally thank Councilmember David Alvarez for his leadership and commitment to a vibrant economy and a healthy community and thanks to Councilmembers Marti Emerald, Sherri Lightner, Myrtle Cole and Interim Mayor Todd Gloria for their support.

Alternative 1 23

"This is an amazing milestone for the community of Barrio Logan, which has faced decades of neglect, a patchwork of incompatible uses and has long suffered from a disproportionate burden of pollution," states Councilmember David Alvarez. "The community has been denied environmental justice; facing enchroachment, traffic impacts, lack of public amenitites and services. With today's approval we take a step forward addressing those impacts and building a vibrant based on the multifaceted character of the community."

Alternative 1 24Barrio Logan's newly approved community plan designates a separate heavy industrial zone away from homes and schools. With this clear distinction between industrial and residential zones, along with a buffer zone that incorporates office buildings and parking structures, Barrio Logan can finally regain a safe place to live, work and play.

Alternative 1 22EHC proudly stands by Alternative 1 and fighting to take this first big step towards restoring an important piece of San Diego's history and culture. After thirty years, Barrio Logan residents and future residents can look forward to the toxic-free neighborhood they deserve.

"The Better Barrio" – A three-part blog series highlighting a time when Logan Heights flourished and enriched all of San Diego.

Looking at Barrio Logan today, one may not know it was once one of the most thriving and desirable destinations in all of San Diego. Long before industrial businesses stood between family homes and schools, Barrio Logan, once known as Logan Heights, had some of the highest housing stock in the area and was considered one of the best parts of San Diego. It has been noted that some of San Diego's most prominent families and politicians settled in Logan Heights in the early 1900s, around the time of major commercial railroad development.

Barrio Logan First Train

The railroads connected San Diego as never before and brought industry, people and money to the thriving area. Soon after, the local businesses began to grow and diversify and more houses were built. The community flourished in the early years of the 20th century before automobile industrialization and the subsequent construction of the I-5 freeway, which very literally divided the community in half.

Since the 1950s, the community has longed to return to its happier and healthier days. We have a chance to put our neighborhood back on its path to a prosperous future by supporting Alternative 1 for the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update on September 17th.

Alternative 1 is the community-supported option for our neighborhood to make the positive changes Barrio Logan has needed for decades and become a desirable and toxic-free San Diego destination once again.

Please join us at City Council (202 C Street, San Diego, CA. 92101) on Tuesday, September 17th at 2 p.m. to restore an important piece of San Diego history.

 

"The Better Barrio" – A three-part blog series highlighting a time when Logan Heights flourished and enriched all of San Diego.

Coronet TheaterPrior to the toxic-air pollution and mixed land-use patterns, Barrio Logan, once known as Logan Heights, stood strong as a healthy and thriving neighborhood.

During World War II the Coronet Theater opened in the heart of the community at 1796 Logan Avenue, and became extremely popular- especially among children. The theater played a variety of child-friendly movies and was well known for supporting local clubs such as Los Gallos. Los Gallos often put on free cartoon shows at the theater for kids.

Eventually, Coronet Theater became a community landmark that grew to host more than just movies, but also popular Latino performers and movie stars when they traveled to San Diego.

Barrio Logan was once a primary destination for San Diego performers and fans alike, and we have the opportunity now to restore our rich community culture.

Please sign our letter and support Alternative 1 for the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update and join us on Tuesday at City Council, 2 p.m. at 202 C Street, San Diego, CA. 92101, to put our community on the right path to a promising and healthy future.

Barrio Logan is one of the oldest in San Diego and rich with history - we deserve a chance to become the thriving community we once were, and it starts with Alternative 1. 

Below is a powerful email we received from a community member, shedding new light on the two proposed updates for Barrio Logan's Community Plan. Please join us on Tuesday, September 17 at City Council: 202 C Street, San Diego, CA. 92101 in support of Alternative 1 to the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update.

 

"This is a plea for support. Barrio Logan is again under attack by greedy industrial leaders and their lobbyist. Please attend the San Diego City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 17 at 2pm and support the community's last effort in support of Barrio Logan as a residential area.

There are two different Community Plans—Alternative 1 is environmental and residential friendly and Alternative 2 is in support of more heavy industrial business and the elimination of homes and residents. The Barrio Logan Community Plan Alternative 1 calls for a more environmental and residentially friendly community. The Community Plan has been in discussion for more than five years. The City Planning department is in support of Alternative 1.

At the June San Diego City Council subcommittee for Land Use and Housing there was lobbying by the industrial community supporting more industrial land use and less residential in Barrio Logan. What was shocking to me was their total disrespect for the residents. One speaker was quoted as saying, "I just do not understand why they want to live there..." Another speaker was quoted as saying, "We want the land from Sicard all the way to Wabash for heavy industrial use."

After that meeting I drove through the area that is being targeted by Alternative 2. I was appalled to think that all of the old time Barrio Logan residents living in older historical homes are being targeted for elimination. What complicates this matter even more is the fact that the San Diego Historical Resources Board at its May meeting approved a haphazard incomplete historical survey of Barrio Logan—which I objected to. (Apparently there was an incident that occurred the day the survey was to begin which frightened those conducting the survey so they scaled there effort down to a cursory effort that was less than professional and called it a cultural resource survey.) A complete historical survey would have identified many of the homes in this area as cultural resources worthy of preservation.

At present there is another big push to invalidate the last five years of work. Besides the lobbyist for those in support of Alternative 2- they have hired Southwest Strategies as their clients to specifically stir the pot in favor of Alternative 2. There is also a new organization called "Que Viva Barrio Logan" to support Alternative 2. The flier that they are posting around the community says, "...support a healthier community by supporting Alternative 2."

In conversation with a Southwest Strategies employee today he informed me that he is advocating for Alternative 2 because it is best for the community. My response was, "No you are supporting it because they are paying you to do so. You do not live in my community. My family has lived in Logan Heights for more than 100 years and Scenario 2 is not the best plan for my community."

Please contact your City Council representative and ask them to support Barrio Logan Community Plan Alternative 1 for a livable environmental friendly plan for Barrio Logan. 

Sincerely,

Josie 

P.S. Now that Chicano Park and the Chicano Park Monumental Murals are listed on the National Register the surrounding community-Barrio Logan-should also maintain what's left of its integrity as a local historic community."

"The Better Barrio" – A three-part blog series highlighting a time when Logan Heights flourished and enriched all of San Diego.

The community of Barrio Logan, once known as Logan Heights, is one of San Diego's oldest neighborhoods, rich in history and stories to tell; stories of a time when Interstate 5 did not exist, the community was diverse, the small business economy thrived and legends left their mark.
While today we fight to relocate industrial businesses and repair poor air quality in Barrio Logan, it helps to remember all the good that exists in our community and what our neighborhood has done for San Diego.

A legend worth mentioning is Helen Marston, founder of San Diego's Neighborhood House which served as a settlement house for the Mexican community for nearly sixty years and continues to provide service to various San Diego communities today. This house served as a place families could go for help with common problems, engaging community programs, to meet their neighbors and gain a sense of family and community pride.

Neighborhood House Story Time - 1930s

For six decades Helen turned the Neighborhood House into a prominent San Diego establishment focused on working with community members dealing with the pressing issues of the time, including public health, education, and Americanization. Helen devoted herself to her community and the Neighborhood House while capitalizing on her journalism skills to disprove Latino prejudices as well. In 1920 her article, "Mexican Traits", was published in a well-known publication. The article explained the work of the Neighborhood House and the Latino families she interacted with on a daily basis. Her writings and the Neighborhood House gave Barrio Logan and our surrounding communities an understanding and welcoming place where neighbors could meet and overcome obstacles of the time, together.

Barrio Logan has a chance to restore this togetherness and neighborhood unity once again. We support Alternative 1 for Barrio Logan's Community Plan Update; to give community members an opportunity to build healthy neighborhoods and make positive, long-lasting changes for the betterment of the community - like Helen did.

Please sign our letter to support Alternative 1 and a promising future for Barrio Logan.

You can read more about Helen's life of activism here

(Neighborhood House Association is an independent 501 (c) 3 organization and does not participate or endorse attempts for lobbying or political activities.)

EHC recently wrote a piece on why Barrio Logan needs Alternative 1 to restore the neighborhood to a safe, healthy and livable community. It was published in the UT San Diego on August 21, 2013. Please read the article below and sign our letter to support Alternative 1!

 

By Georgette Gomez, Rudolph Pimentel & Albert Dueñas.

What do you love about your neighborhood? Large parks. Local businesses. Well-maintained streets. Children playing outside. Clean air.

These seemingly obvious characteristics, which we expect in a livable community that we call home, aren't universal qualities shared by all San Diego communities. For instance, Barrio Logan's striking feature is land uses mixed together in a way not seen elsewhere in the city. Industries, homes, schools, auto body shops, recycling yards, stores, and parks share the same compact space, wedged between the I-5 freeway and the waterfront industries bordering San Diego Bay south of the Convention Center.

This raises concerns about air quality.

"I can never open the windows in the apartment, because my children are constantly sick. The little one, if we don't take care of her, she is going to develop asthma," Barrio Logan resident Estela Lopez told a reporter. "The doctor gave us a breathing machine for her. That's why the windows are shut, so she can breathe clean air."

Children in Barrio Logan have almost 2.5 times the asthma hospitalization rate as the county average. Unfortunately, that's striking. This year the state of California confirmed that Barrio Logan is a pollution hot spot and that the community ranks in the top 5 percent of the most vulnerable areas in the entire state.

Thankfully, community members, property owners and businesses have actively engaged in a five-year planning process to bring a new community plan to Barrio Logan, called Barrio Logan Community Plan Update Alternative 1. Heading to the City Council in September, this stakeholder-approved plan will end Barrio Logan's unhealthy mix of homes and schools next to polluting industries and begin properly zoned planning that will bring San Diego another livable community with a strong economy.

This is why the San Diego Planning Commission unanimously supported Alternative 1, which creates a necessary buffer between industrial uses and homes to allow our important maritime industry to thrive and also give mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and grandchildren a healthy place to call home.

Alternative 1's buffer zone puts an end to today's deadly mix of polluters and homes by preventing residential development in the buffer area but allowing maritime-supporting businesses and parking structures, another much-needed community amenity to support the shipyard industries along the bayfront. This has the dual benefit of protecting the residents by not allowing industrial uses near homes, parks and families. This key element also differentiates Alternative 1 from the other option, which would allow industrial uses within the buffer zone and also industrial development within 50 feet of homes.

The buffer zone between streets where young children play and spots where industries use toxic chemicals works in conjunction with the creation of a heavy industrial zone. Alternative 1 calls for this industrial park to centralize the maritime-industrial operations that support industries on the waterfront, such as welding shops, refinishers, ship repair support, and other port-related industries that will be grandfathered into the fabric of the neighborhood.

According to the environmental impact report for this project, the buffer zone and industrial park combination in Alternative 1 will contribute to a projected increase in employment from just over 10,000 jobs to nearly 15,000. This 47 percent increase will occur because more acreage is dedicated to industrial, commercial, retail and maritime support. And this industrial park is located away from schools and homes — a striking feature people expect in a healthy community.

Imagine the beauty of an economically secure Barrio Logan where the massive industries support the local community with a thoughtful buffer zone, a concentrated industrial park and a new parking structure for its thousands of employees.

Barrio Logan's daunting profile of pollution sources and vulnerability requires active, informed residents and comprehensive policy solutions, starting with reform of land use. The good news is that the stakeholder committee overwhelmingly supported Alternative 1 — which will finally address several of Barrio Logan's most pressing problems: separation of incompatible land uses; provision of more affordable housing; designation of parking areas for the large industrial workforce; and substantial conservation of industrial land uses to support the job-intensive waterfront.

That's something we can all love to see in Barrio Logan.

 

Gomez is associate director of Environmental Health Coalition; Pimental, a Barrio Logan business owner, and Dueñas, a Barrio Logan property owner, are members of the Barrio Logan Community Update Plan Stakeholder Group.

You have probably heard of Alternative 1, but what exactly is it? What does it mean for Barrio Logan, and why should the rest of San Diego care?

The community of Barrio Logan has one of the oldest existing community plans, last updated in 1979. This outdated plan has led to the development of a toxic environment; unhealthy and unsafe for the community. Neighborhood safety, health and quality of life are compromised by the massive polluting industries operating next door to houses, parks and schools. Barrio Logan has high rates of asthma hospitalization; a level three times the County's average. The intermingling of industries and neighborhoods is clearly not the safiest nor healthiest for children and families, and this is exactly why Alternative 1 was born.

Kids Playing Outside 1

Alternative 1 is the community proposed alternative to the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update to address the environmental injustice placed in our neighborhood. While toxic industries impact the community wellbeing, this plan does not propose to kick them out but to designate a heavy industrial zone away from homes and schools. 

Alternative 1 also recommends:

  • Clear separation of industrial and residential zones
  • Small scale development from residential to commercial
  • Sustainable development
  • Development of maritime supporting business
  • An exclusive, heavy industrial area
  • A parking structure that will serve the workers at the working waterfront
  • Most importantly: A safe place to live, work and play

For five-years, the City of San Diego has facilitated a community-involved process to update to the Barrio Logan community plan, which the City Council will hear on September 17th. From that process came Alternative 1, and the future of Barrio Logan will be determined by a vote.

But we, the community, can make our voice heard before City Council votes. We strongly urge supporters to sign our letter in support of Alternative 1. This plan was supported by the majority of the stakeholders of the community plan update, as well as a unanimous support by the Planning Commission.

David Alvarez Alternative 1

Why should the rest of San Diego care? 

Because these are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles and best friends just asking to live in a toxic-free neighborhood - something most communities never have to experience or fight for. Think about how much you love your clean air, nice parks and safe streets. What would you want for your mothers, fathers, daughters, sons and best friends?

You can watch Georgette Gomez, associate director of toxic-free neighborhoods, speak more about Alternative 1 here.

EHC has been working in Barrio Logan for decades to reduce toxic pollution and improve livability for its residents, but some recently released information quantifies just how serious the situation has become. Results from California's environmental justice screening model, CalEnviroScreen, rank Barrio Logan as the highest at-risk community in San Diego County and in the top 5 percent for the entire state

What is an environmental justice hostpot? It is any area with extraordinarily high levels of toxic pollution, making the neighborhood hazardous to residents.

cal enviro screen

The CalEnviroScreen also takes into consideration a wide variety of other indicators (education, poverty, demographics, medical care, to name a few) to determine which communities are at a higher risk of pollution-related illnesses. Sky-rocketing levels of toxins have given Barrio Logan communities three times the asthma rate of the rest of San Diego. Residents breathe in heavily polluted air as a result of manufacturing shops in their backyards and industrial trucks parked along their streets.

EHC's Research Director, Joy Williams, was recently published in the San Diego Free Press. She described it exceptionally well when she wrote, 

"A strikingly obvious feature of Barrio Logan is that land uses are mixed together in a way not seen in any other community in San Diego. Industries, homes, schools, auto body shops, recycling yards, stores, and parks all share the same compact space, wedged in between the I-5 freeway and the waterfront industries bordering San Diego Bay south of the Convention Center. Heavy diesel truck traffic moves around and through the community; cargo ships run their engines at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal; and the BNSF railyard hosts aging locomotives a short distance upwind of Perkins Elementary School. Smaller industries contribute their own hazards to the community profile – they may be directly next door to homes and may have traffic, odor, vibration, and noise impacts, as well as fire hazards. Pollution close to people is reflected in Barrio Logan's 'hot spot' identity."

But there is hope for change, and a healthy future. For almost forty years, EHC has been working on Barrio Logan's Community Plan Update, which goes to San Diego City Council in the middle of September. If approved, this community plan will relocate massive, industrial businesses from Barrio Logan's residential streets to a specifically designated industrial zone away from homes and schools. Not only will it address incompatible land-use, but incorporate affordable housing conservation of the San Diego Bay waterfront where a plethora of workers are located. 

The only concern lies in preserving the rich cultural history and unique art of Barrio Logan. Although the goal is to create a healthy, livable neighborhood, residents aim to do this while maintaining the unique characteristics that make Barrio Logan one-of-a-kind.

The community has rallied to support the Community Plan Update. It is an urgent necessity for health and quality of life in Barrio Logan, and EHC continues its unwaivering determination to make Barrio Logan toxic free. Hopefully, the CalEnviroScreen's official report will prove just how much help this community needs and they will finally make their voices heard for change in September. 

To find out how you can support Barrio Logan's long overdue basic environmental rights, sign up for our email newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.   

A Community Vision

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When I walk through Paradise Creek, I feel a deep sense of excitement. I can see kids running freely through a brand new park, parents rushing to the trolley station to get to work on time, and community members continuing to convene to see their neighborhood transform into a healthy and affordable place to live.

This isn't the reality today, but it can be when the Westside Infill Transit Oriented Development, an affordable housing and open space project is complete. As long as the California Department of Finance does its part, which is to approve National City's use of bond proceeds issued in 2011. This community project has been in the making for almost 10 years now.

It's the vision of National City residents, who have worked hard to bring sustainable affordable homes to the community that will also protect Paradise Creek. What is now National City's Public Works maintenance area and a charter bus company will become 201 brand new affordable homes. (Skip to view the project plan.)

Even in its infancy, this project has received national recognition.

In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency, Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Transportation selected the Westside Infill Development site as part of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities Brownfield's Pilot. This pilot project is one of only five in the U.S. and the only one on the west coast. It will protect an existing wetland, locate next to the 28th street trolley station and Kimball Elementary, and provide a brand new public park.

National City has worked diligently with the developers, Community Housing Works and Related Company of California, to finance the project. However, due to National City's Redevelopment Agency's dissolution, the state is questioning the legitimacy of the bond that the city issued to build the project. This means that National City already issued the bond to finance the Westside Infill Development project, but now a statewide agency might deny that use of that money on this community-driven housing complex.

Tell Department of Finance Why This Project Needs Its Funding

California's Department of Finance needs to hear from us. The Westside Infill Development project has been 10 years in the making, it is already financed, and the city just needs the Department of Finance's approval to use bond proceeds.

Please let the Department of Finance know how important this project is for you and our community. You can reach Mr. Justyn Howard & Mr. Steve Szalay Local Government Consultants at California's Department of Finance at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. & Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. respectively.

 

Hundreds of environmental supporters joined A Clean Bay Victory celebration on May 22

In the 1900s, San Diego Bay supported great biodiversity in its shallow open water, salt marshes and mud flats. Currently, more than a third of San Diego County live within five miles of the bay. After years of neglect and poor planning, industries polluted the bay with more than 20 types of pollutants, endangered surrounding communities with 36 types of air contaminants and destroyed 90 percent of the bay's mud flats and 78 percent of its salt marshes. (Skip to the goods--I want to see the photos.)

In 2012, we honored three individuals and one organization that led efforts over the past 32 years to improve San Diego Bay. Each awardee played an integral role in the community-wide efforts that resulted in major environmental victories for San Diego Bay, and ultimately, can lead to a reversal of these trends. Key victories include the decommissioning of the South Bay Power Plant, the adaptation of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan and the cleanup of toxic pollution at the bottom of San Diego Bay. We would like to extend a warm thanks to our proud sponsors: Pacifica Companies, Unified Port of San Diego, The Wild Thyme Company and Bruce and Betsy Gill.

The VIP reception opened the A Clean Bay Victory event at the Star of the Sea Event Center along the harbor in downtown San Diego. A Clean Bay Victory packed The Berkeley event space at the Maritime Museum as attendees from all over San Diego and Tijuana regions raised $38,000 to support EHC in honor of the environmental champions.

More than 320 individuals attended EHC's 2012 Awards Celebration. At the event, former Councilmember Donna Frye launched EHC's Sustainability Circle to secure monthly contributions from donors who support EHC's environmental justice work.

We're planning our next awards event. Please Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. for information.

Highlights of Tuesday's event include:

  • Marco Gonzalez received an award from Ashok Israni, CEO of Pacifica Companies, for his tireless advocacy and legal leadership in the Clean Bay Campaign.
  • San Diego Coastkeeper, a non-profit ally in the Clean Bay Campaign, received an award from City Councilmember David Alvarez for serving as a strong and critical partner with EHC in the fight to preserve San Diego Bay since 1995.
  • Dan McKirnan, EHC boardmember, was honored by Congressman Bob Filner for his commitment to the environmental protection and service as a founding member of the Clean Bay Campaign.
  • Laura Hunter, Clean Bay Campaign director, was commended with the Donna Frye Spirit of Justice Award for over two decades of dedicated work on the Clean Bay efforts for Environmental Health Coalition.

 

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El gobierno electo del estado de Baja California, que entrará en funciones el próximo mes de noviembre, ha anunciado en diferentes medios de comunicación la intención de que la actual Secretaria de Protección al Ambiente, se convierta en una sub-secretaria, quedando subordinada a la Secretaría de Desarrollo.

Este es un asunto que nos tiene muy preocupados en Environmental Health Coalition y particularmente en nuestra campaña fronteriza para la justicia ambiental, porque creemos que significa debilitar una agencia ambiental muy importante y que al final va a poner en riesgo el seguimiento a temas ambientales que pueden poner en peligro la calidad de vida de personas.

En conferencia de prensa esta mañana, Magdalena Cerda, Policy Advocate de la campaña de la frontera, aseguró que:

“Esperamos que este posicionamiento en contra de este cambio de 'secretaría' a 'subsecretaría' sea escuchado por la nueva administración. Incluso estamos deseosos de ser parte de un equipo de trabajo donde desarrollemos una mejor legislación y aplicación de la ley.”

 

Por este motivo respaldamos la carta de posicionamiento en la que se expresa esta preocupación, entregada por nuestras organizaciones aliadas en Tijuana, al Gobernador Electo de Baja California en su oficina de transición la semana pasada.

Seguiremos trabajando para buscar puentes que mantengan el trabajo ambiental fuerte con la colaboración de las comunidades.

 

D1 Candidate's Forum

Neighbors are unaware of the origin of the waste, but like California activists, suspect that they are runoffs from the maquiladoras located along the Alamar creek.

In the vicinity of the Chilpancingo area, near the industrial zone of Otay and the Tijuana River, colored water is often seen running through the streets.

"There have been times when colored water comes, it looks like rainbows," says Luz Elena Félix, a resident of the area and community promoter of the Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental.

Pollution runoff

Read the full article in Spanish on El Sol de Tijuana

On a sunny Saturday morning in July, we took 21 eager passengers on our BarrioLive! Tijuana Tour.

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During the course of the day, we made numerous stops to highlight environmental justice in our cross-border communities.

  • Alamar River channelization project: The binational Alamar River and the invaluable ecosystem it contains were being paved. Now, we’re working to preserve it. We showed our progress first-hand saving this precious natural resource.
  • Metales y Derivados: Many years ago, we helped lead the cleanup of 45,000 tons of toxic waste and establish a structure for cross-border collaboration on toxic-site cleanups. We visited the site that symbolizes environmental justice achieved and a monumental neighborhood victory.
  • Maquiladoras viewpoint: Maquiladora assembly plants in Colonia Chilpancingo have contaminated the neighborhood and its resources for many years. Our tour allowed guests to see and understand them from a new point of view.

For several hours, our guests learned about critical community victories that have come from a 20-year-old campaign that has helped relieve numerous communities of pollution and displacement. The tour included personal struggles shared first-hand by the local community members, as well as their motivation to form the Colonia Chilpancingo.

Our youth group (Grupo de Jovenes) joined us to share stories from their experiences. 22-year-old Fernando and his family have been EHC activists for close to eight years. He told the group he, “is motivated to know he has and will continue to make a difference.” His conviction and determination inspired and touched everyone.

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To conclude the tour, we enjoyed a mixer with community members and had the opportunity to meet the people who have brought environmental justice to Tijuana for more than 25 years.

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Here is some of the feedback we received:

  • “I liked the Alamar River because we really got to see an area in use and its effects on the community.”
  • “The tour had good detail on the history of the toxicity and remediation; good presentation of existing problems; excellent company; excellent lunch”
  • “Can't thank EHC enough. It is an incredible organization that I wish everyone advocated for.”

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We look forward to the next BarrioLive! Tour, in San Diego this fall – October 19, 2017.

Mark your calendars and send an email to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. to reserve your seat today.

Toxic pollution knows no borders. That’s why EHC works to build healthy communities in San Diego and Tijuana. Whether we are helping save a river or teaching women how to be leaders in their neighborhoods, we believe that we are stronger when our countries are united for environmental justice.

Watch the videos below to get a sneak peak of our border environmental justice work.

Alamar River

The Alamar is a binational river that originates in the United States, crosses into Mexico and then returns to the United States, where it discharges into the Tijuana River Estuary. In 2011, it began to be channelized with concrete, leaving the area without its natural ecosystem. EHC is working to preserve the last remaining section of the creek.

Colectivo Chilpancingo

Founded by women, this group has been working for more than 16 years to strengthen environmental justice in Mexico.

Metales y Derivados

In 1994, after years of complaints from the community, the Mexican government shut down a battery recycler called Metales y sus Derivados, leaving behind 20,000 tons of toxic waste on site. EHC worked for more than 10 years to clean up the site, eliminating a serious hazard for 10,000 families nearby.

Environmental justice matters because of people like Lourdes Lujan. For 18 years, Lourdes has helped inform her neighbors about local health and environmental hazards. At our 2016 award celebration, One People, Una Frontera, Lourdes shared stories of protecting Arroyo Alamar in Tijuana and organizing a cleanup of 45,000 tons of toxic waste. Now, she shares her story with you:

METALES Y DERIVADOS firmando el convenio

I was introduced to EHC in 1998, and have been a part of this movement ever since. Similar to many who work at EHC, I started out knocking on my neighbors’ doors to explain the health and environmental threats that Metales y Derivados represented for all of us. I would invite them to meetings – which were held in our homes back then – so that all of us could find a solution together.

I never imagined that from that work to organize our neighbors that we would achieve a clean-up of 45,000 tons of toxic waste and that we would now be successful in saving part of the Rio Alamar.

When I was invited to participate in the Maquilapolis documentary, I could not imagine how a video could explain the environmental, health, and work issues we were living through, much less that the documentary would make it around the world.

We, the community health workers, feel proud of having met Vicky Funary and Sergio de la Torre, the project’s producer and director. Maquilapolis gave me the opportunity to see many more cities and countries that I never thought I’d get to see in my lifetime.

I am very grateful to EHC for everything I have learned; I am grateful for all the support for our community; I am grateful for being able to work with all of you for a healthier community.


Conocí a EHC en 1998 y desde entonces soy parte de la organizavion. Al igual que varios de los que trabajan en EHC, yo comencé tocando las puertas de mis vecinos para explicarles los problemas ambientales y de salud que representaba Metales y Derivados para nosotros. Los invitaba a reuniones, que en ese entonces las hacíamos en nuestras casas, para encontrar la solución entre todos.

Nunca imaginé que de ese trabajo involucrando a mi comunidad, lograríamos una limpieza de 45,000 toneladas de residuos toxicos, y que ahora tendríamos el éxito en poder salvar parte del Arroyo Alamar.

Cuando me invitaron a participar en el documental Maquilápolis, no imaginaba cómo un video podría explicar los problemas ambientales, de salud y laborales que vivíamos, y además que daríamos la vuelta al mundo con este documental.

Nosotras las promotoras nos sentimos orgullosas de haber conocido a Vicky Funari y Sergio de la Torre, productores y directores de este proyecto. Con Maquilápolis tuve la oportunidad de conocer muchas ciudades y países que nunca en mi vida pensé que llegaría a visitar

Estoy muy agradecida con EHC por todo lo que he aprendido, estoy agradecida por todo el apoyo a nuestra comunidad, estoy agradecida por trabajar con ustedes por una comunidad más sana.

La escuela de Alejandro mide un poco más de 2000 metros cuadrados. De los cuales casi todo son salones, en los que toman clases grupos de cerca de 30 niños. Su escuela tiene una cancha de futbol que sirve también como cancha de básquetbol. Tienen dentro de su escuela dos árboles grandes y cuatro pequeños. Su clase favorita es la de Ciencias Naturales, en la que le enseñan sobre los ecosistemas, la biodiversidad y el medio ambiente. Estudian dentro del salón en libros con fotos y dibujos de otras partes del mundo.

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Vive en un departamento de 60 metros cuadrados que renta su familia, sin patio, con dos habitaciones en la que se acomodan 7 personas. Casi frente a su casa hay un taller de reparación de traileres y a una cuadra de distancia hay una fábrica recicladora. Tiene que caminar dos cuadras para encontrar un árbol. Alejandro vive además justo debajo del parque industrial de Otay, el más grande y uno de los más dinámicos en Tijuana y en la región fronteriza.

Le gustan los animales y le gusta acampar. Le encanta correr y jugar en los parques. Pero lo más importante es que le gusta participar en actividades para preservar el medio ambiente… su medio ambiente. Actividades como los campamentos, recorridos y las jornadas de limpieza en el Arroyo Alamar.

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Puede ser que los cuatro kilómetros que quedan de bosque ribereño en el Alamar no parezcan mucho comparados con otros ecosistemas en otras partes de México o Estados Unidos. Pero para Alejandro, y para cientos de familias que viven en las mismas condiciones, este bosque representa una gran oportunidad para aprender no de libros sino de la naturaleza directamente sobre el medio ambiente, pero mas importante, la oportunidad de mitigar la contaminación por el trafico tan dinámico y la contaminación industrial. El Alamar para él y su familia se trata de Calidad de Vida.

No hablamos sólo de árboles… hablamos de derechos humanos.

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Finalmente Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA) aceptó las recomendaciones de la Mesa Técnica del Alamar para que el encauzamiento en la última parte del arroyo sea eco-hidrológicas, respetando el bosque ripario y los mantos acuíferos. En un acto encabezado por el Gobernador de BC, el jueves 16 de julio, se dio inicio a la construcción del proyecto que se espera esté terminado para principios del 2016.

Estamos de fiesta porque no se destruirá el bosque del Arroyo Alamar, pero esto significa mucho más…

  1. El encausamiento eco-hidrológico permitirá filtrar agua al subsuelo. Esto es muy valioso en medio de una crisis de agua como la que estamos viviendo. Además, mantener los mantos acuíferos permitirá la conservación de los árboles y con ello el hábitat para la fauna nativa y migratoria de la zona.
  2. Trabajamos juntos muchas organizaciones de la sociedad civil de Tijuana y SD, construyendo una red de apoyo y solidaridad entre nosotros.
  3. Pero principalmente porque conservar la zona arbolada del Arroyo Alamar significa para la comunidad la oportunidad de mitigar los efectos a la salud producidos por la cercanía con la industria maquiladora y por la construcción de nuevas vialidades y el eventual aumento en el tráfico de tráileres, una vez que esté en operación la segunda garita de Otay. Es además la oportunidad de contar con áreas recreativas y de educación ambiental para las familias.

Alamar Kids Victory

Gracias a todas y todos por apoyar esta causa directa o indirectamente. Gracias a todos los que dieron su tiempo y a quienes nos acompañaron en el camino.

¡Estamos de fiesta!

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Nos levantamos temprano porque había que estar antes que todos en el lugar del evento. No alcanzamos a desayunar pero entre la prisa de recoger a la gente y la emoción por el recorrido que íbamos a hacer, ni nos acordamos del hambre.

En el camino al bosque ribereño donde haríamos el evento, nos detuvimos para tomar fotos de la parte canalizada. Encontramos a una familia cruzando el arroyo por unas tablas que improvisadamente servían como puente. La familia no tenia otra opción, más que dar una vuelta caminando que les costaría una hora mas de tiempo para llegar a su destino, o gastar en transporte público lo equivalente al salario mínimo que ofrecen las fábricas cercanas al arroyo.

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Llegamos a las 9:00 am al lugar del evento. Primero platicamos con los medios de comunicación y les explicamos que el evento tenia dos intenciones, primero celebrar la disposición de CONAGUA (Comisión Nacional de Agua, organismo federal responsable por el encauzamiento del arroyo) de encontrar una alternativa sustentable para el encauzamiento, que permitiría conservar el bosque, y la segunda hacer la conexión entre naturaleza y comunidad, conocer las plantas y animales de la zona.

Al evento se sumaron más de ochenta personas. Caminamos alrededor de una hora y media. Encontramos encinos, álamos (que le dan el nombre al Alamar), toloache, hierba del manso, tules y muchas plantas más. Los animales se escondieron, como era de esperar. Pero vimos el árbol donde habita una familia de mapaches, el arroyo donde viven los langostinos y donde comen las garzas, vimos el tronco del árbol donde frecuentemente se ve un halcón y el hueco que dejó un pájaro carpintero.

Pero lo más importante es que entendimos la diferencia entre un parque y un ecosistema natural. Entendimos que estamos conectados y que no se trata de salvar árboles nada más, sino de salvarnos a nosotros. No podemos cambiar un recurso natural como este por más carreteras y camiones. El desarrollo de la ciudad no se puede pagar con la salud de la gente que vive y trabaja cerca de este arroyo. Todos somos habitantes del Alamar.

Arroyo Alamar Yo Soy El Alamar 7

At a press conference on Thursday, February 12, Mexican government leaders recognized a joint government and community group as the official advisory committee for preserving an important part of the Tijuana River ecosystem known as Arroyo Alamar. This group, the Mesa Tecnica, watched the deterioration of their river when the same government paved nearly 75 percent of it between 2011 and 2014. The channelization displaced thousands of families, destroyed ecosystems and left only three kilometers untouched. This space currently houses a lush forest with wildlife and homes for industry workers in Tijuana.

Now, we are finally part of the solution.

With the Mesa Tecnica in charge of preserving the remaining three kilometers of Arroyo Alamar, the community can work to conserve its quality of life, wildlife and precious natural space along the river.

This is a milestone for a variety of reasons:

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It took years of work to get here.

We have worked since 2011 for this type of agreement. With 70 percent of the Arroyo Alamar paved, we were able to protect the three kilometers with the densest vegetation and most biodiversity.

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Now government leaders have acknowledged the importance of community involvement.

At the ceremony to announce the community and government partnership, Director General of the Cuenca Agency (CNA) acknowledged that this community involvement “is unprecedented,” meaning the government has never before had community members involved in government land-use decisions. He continued to say that he hopes the partnership offers "broad guarantees of sustainability and environmental stewardship." You can watch his statement in Spanish here

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We’ve inspired a hopeful future for Arroyo Alamar.

Moving forward, we have built a rare opportunity for the people who treasure Arroyo Alamar, on both sides of the border, to work together with the local government for a solution that preserves natural space and quality of life along the river.

To learn more about Thursday’s victory, click here: English / Spanish 

To get involved, join EHC today and visit http://alamarsustentable.org.

El objetivo de la Mesa Técnica del Arroyo Alamar es mantener los servicios ambientales que presta el arroyo Alamar a la comunidad. Es un esfuerzo social dedicado a buscar una alternativa de encauzamiento sustentable y en equilibrio con la naturaleza que permita el desarrollo económico de la ciudad de Tijuana.

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La Mesa Técnica del Arroyo Alamar inicia como una iniciativa del Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental, afiliado a Environmental Health Coalition y vecinos del Arroyo Alamar a la que se unieron diversas organizaciones ambientalistas de Tijuana y San Diego entre las que destacan: Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental, Tijuana Calidad de Vida, Red de Ciudadanos por el Mejoramiento de las Comunidades y  CICEA Papalotzin.

Esta propuesta fue llevada al Consejo Consultivo para el Desarrollo Sustentable de la SEMARNAT, quienes lo adoptaron y actualmente son coordinadores.

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Por la parte gubernamental participan CONAGUA, SEMARNAT y otras entidades de gobierno federal, estatal y municipal que tienen responsabilidad en la canalización del Arroyo Alamar.

Una vez que esté firmando el acuerdo de instalación de la Mesa Técnica por todas las entidades de gobierno y ONG’s la mesa será el consejo que recomiende el proyecto ejecutivo a CONAGUA para el tramo que no se ha canalizado todavía del arroyo.

¿Qué es la Mesa Técnica del Arroyo Alamar?
Es el espacio en el que comunidad, organizaciones no gubernamentales y las dependencias de gobierno involucradas en el encauzamiento del Alamar, podremos buscar una alternativa sustentable a la canalización con concreto.

Avances Importantes
Después de varios meses de trabajar en el documento de instalación, finalmente, hace dos semanas nos reunimos en la oficina de Tijuana de la Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat). En la reunión estuvimos presentes Environmental Health Coalition y el Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental, Tijuana Calidad de Vida, Remexmar, Papalotzin, Pronatura, RECIMEC y Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental. Por parte del gobierno mexicano, Semarnat, Profepa, CONAGUA, CCDS, IMPLAN, SPA, y la EPA como representante de la contraparte de Estados Unidos en calidad de observador, con miras a ofrecer asesoría técnica en el proyecto alternativo.

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De la reunión salimos con el visto bueno de la CONAGUA y organizaciones de la sociedad civil del documento de instalación de la mesa de trabajo. Después de que los departamentos jurídicos de cada dependencia revisen su función estaremos listos para hacer la firma pública.

¿Qué quiere decir esto y qué sigue?
Una vez que todas las dependencias de gobierno y las organizaciones de la sociedad y los la comunidad firmemos este documento, los acuerdos y recomendaciones tomados en la mesa podrán integrarse oficialmente al proyecto que se decida hacer en la tercera etapa del Alamar. Pero muy importantemente, significa la oportunidad de tener transparencia en el trabajo que se haga y la gran oportunidad de integrar el tema de la justicia ambiental y calidad de vida de las comunidades en temas de desarrollo urbano.

Esperamos muy pronto tener fecha para el evento público de instalación de la mesa y comenzar con los trabajos.

Salvemos La Playa marzo 2014 4

Mientras seguimos gestionando para que CONAGUA firme la instalación de la Mesa Técnica del Alamar, el sábado 22 de marzo celebramos el Día Mundial del Agua. Environmental Health Coalition en el marco de las actividades de Salvemos la Playa, se encargó de la coordinación de la limpieza en el Arroyo Alamar, con el apoyo de CESDI y RECIMEC.

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El objetivo del evento no es solamente limpiar la zona. El objetivo es hacer conciencia a través de la acción del impacto que tiene en nuestro entorno las acciones cotidianas que realizamos, pero principalmente, hacer conciencia a la población de que todo lo que hagamos río arriba va a afectar río abajo. El Arroyo Alamar después de recorrer 10 km se convierte en Río Tijuana y finalmente desemboca en el Estuario del Río Tijuana.

Salvemos La Playa marzo 2014 5

En el Arroyo Alamar asistieron 200 voluntarios y levantamos casi dos toneladas de basura. En el evento general de Salvemos la Playa con 15 sitios en Tijuana y Rosarito se recolectaron más de 13 toneladas con la participación de 1,500 voluntarios.

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El sábado 15 de febrero nos reunimos un poco más de 300 personas para decirle a Tijuana y San Diego que el Alamar todavía existe y que todavía estamos a tiempo de rescatarlo.

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¿Por qué hacer una marcha un sábado en la mañana donde nadie nos va a ver?

Porque para vernos, nuestros ojos son suficientes. Porque nuestros ojos se multiplican y pueden compartir la visión con otros ojos que les interesa lo que a nosotros nos preocupa. Porque para ver con nuestros ojos lo que queremos rescatar hace falta caminarlo con nuestros propios pies.

Arroyo Alamar Yo Soy El Alamar 4¿Por qué luchar contra una obra que lleva más del 70% de avance?

Porque nunca es tarde para corregir las cosas. Porque la zona que todavía no ha sido destruida es el área más verde, hogar del pájaro carpintero y el ganso canadiense.

Arroyo Alamar Yo Soy El Alamar 6¿Por qué cruzar la frontera para caminar con otros?

Porque la naturaleza, la contaminación y este arroyo no reconocen fronteras. Porque somos uno conectado. Porque lo que haga río arriba afecta río abajo.

Arroyo Alamar Yo Soy El Alamar 7¿Por qué decimos que no sólo hablamos de árboles?

Porque lo que hacemos en este momento es el legado para nuestros hijos, y para sus hijos, y para las siguientes generaciones. Porque todos tenemos derecho a espacios verdes como estos, libres de tóxicos y con espacios seguros y saludables para las comunidades.

Arroyo Alamar Yo Soy El Alamar 8Más detalles aqui, en Facebok y en alamarsustentable.org

#YoSoyelAlamar

alamar canalizadoEl próximo sábado 15 de febrero en punto de las 9:00 de la mañana Environmental Health Coalition junto con otras 14 organizaciones de la sociedad civil de Tijuana y la campaña Alamar Sustentable celebraremos el evento Yo Soy el Alamar.

El objetivo es demostrar que el bosque del Arroyo Alamar (arroyo binacional que nace en Estados Unidos y desemboca en el Estuario del Río Tijuana en Imperial Beach) ubicado al Este de Tijuana, todavía existe y que a pesar de que el proyecto de canalización que está en proceso todavía estamos a tiempo de rescatar lo más importante, no solo por las plantas y animales endémicos y migratorios que podemos encontrar en esta zona, sino por el derecho que tenemos todos los ciudadanos a contar con áreas verdes naturales.

carpintero en el alamarDespués de dos años de campaña la coalición Alamar y la campaña Alamar Sustentable, hemos logrado integrar la Mesa Técnica del Arroyo Alamar, donde hemos encontrado propuestas interesantes para modificar el proyecto de concreto y buscar alternativas más sustentables. Sin embargo, aunque CONAGUA (Comisión Nacional de Agua, organismo encargado de la canalización) ha estado presente en algunas reuniones, todavía no se compromete formalmente a conservar el bosque ripario.

Programa artístico:

  • Poesia con Brianda Ivonne Sánchez, Elias Ramirez Robles y Jorge Calderón
  • Danza Africana con Frontera Negra
  • Malabares y fuego con El Dragón
  • Sones Jarochos con el Colectivo de Jaraneras
  • Danza Folklórica
  • Plática sobre plantas nativas con Nativ@s

Las organizaciones que convocan son: poster evento

Más detalles en Facebok y en alamarsustentable.org
#YoSoyelAlamar

Todavía estamos a tiempo
¡El Alamar Somos Todos!
¡Únete!

 

Anibals blog postEl pasado 31 de mayo EHC, grupos ambientalistas y residentes de las colonias Chilpancingo y 10 de Mayo aprovecharon la visita a Tijuana del director de la Comisión Nacional del Agua, David Korenfeld, para entregar un escrito pidiendo la conservación de la tercera etapa del Arroyo Alamar.

Ana Langarica, residente cercana al Alamar explicó, "lo que le pedimos es que haga un proyecto sustentable en el arroyo Alamar que no se encemente como en la primera y segunda etapa del arroyo, por eso le pedimos que se haga un proyecto sustentable".

Por su parte el titular de la Conagua, David Korenfeld se comprometió a revisar el asunto. "Me están entregando un documento que lo analizaremos en el ámbito de nuestra competencia y si no,  pues lo canalizaremos con el área correspondiente para el efecto de determinar y ver cuál es la circunstancia de nuestra participación", indicó.

Calendario del Grupo de Jóvenes del Colectivo Chilpancingo Pro Justicia Ambiental.

Incluye juego de SERPIENTES Y ESCALERAS de la JUSTICIA AMBIENTAL. Es una herramienta para aprender del trabajo de EHC y el Grupo de Jóvenes del Colectivo Chilpancingo mientras nos divertimos.

Síguenos en facebook.

¡Calendario y juego en uno!

INSTRUCCIONES


 
El pasado 1 de septiembre se reunieron en la zona arbolada del Arroyo Alamar Environmental Health Coalition, Colectivo Chilpancingo y RECIMEC con músicos jaraneros de Tijuana y San Diego para realizar un Fandango a favor de la campaña "Alamar Sustentable". Al evento acudieron residentes cercanos de las colonias 10 de mayo, Colonia Chilpancingo y Campestre Murúa. Los invitados salieron muy interesados en el trabajo que están haciendo las organizaciones y se propuso hacer un segundo evento en los meses siguientes.

 

Fandango dancing            

 

 

Fandango festival

 

 

 

fandango music

 

Today our Executive Director Diane Takvorian joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, Mexico's Environmental Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, Governor of Baja California José Osuna Millán and Mayor of Tijuana Carlos Bustamante to celebrate the closure of U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 and signing of the new U.S.-Mexico Border 2020.

As the leader of one of the nation's top environmental justice organizations, Diane shared examples to highlight how this bi-national partnership protects human and environmental health while issuing an immediate call to action to protect Arroyo Alamar from channelization.

She said that Border 2020 is an ambitious program that seeks to address complex problems through cooperation and community participation. We achieved some powerful results because of the contributions of Border 2012 and right now, families who live in Tijuana need our leadership to stop the channelization of Arroyo Alamar, one of the last natural places in their community.

diane takvorian border-2020   diane takvorian media border 2020     ehc-leaders-border-2020 EHC Community-Leaders Border 2020  leaders border 2020

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Click here to respond in English

 

 

 

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Versión en español a continuación.

 Updated on March 24, 2021, at 12:13 PM

April 16 2020 Special Election

 

Get out to vote on April 6!

Did you know that many residents in San Diego County are voting again on April 6? There will be a Special Election for Assembly District 79. We just went through a very important Presidential election, and a year full of talk about voting by mail and the importance of having your voice heard at the ballot box. We saw the importance of access to early voting and how just a few votes can cause huge changes at the federal, state, and local levels.

We must keep building our culture of voting as we head towards another important election for San Diegans.

 

Why are we having the Special Election on April 6?

On January 29, 2021, Shirley Weber became the first African American to serve as Secretary of State of California. Governor Newsom appointed her to fill the vacancy left by former California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla. Secretary Weber had been the assembly member representing District 79 since 2012. The vacancy she left in District 79 prompted the special primary election on April 6, 2021. A special general election will follow on June 8, 2021.

 

How do I learn more about the candidates?

EHC, along with our allies at Engage San Diego, hosted a candidate’s forum on Facebook live. Four of the candidates participated. Click below to watch a recording of the forum and hear from these candidates about COVID recovery, climate justice, and other social justice matters.

 

Fast forward to minute 38:00 to learn what programs or methods the candidates would like to see California use as we continue a path towards climate justice and combatting climate change.

 

Do I live in the District?

Bonita, La Mesa, or Lemon Grove are entirely in the 79th district. If you live there, then you do live in the District and should vote. The District also includes some areas of Chula Vista, National City, and the City of San Diego so you may want to click on the link below to find out whether you will be voting.

Find Out If You’re Voting

 

Other Important Information

Vote Safely by mail on or before April 6!

Important Deadlines!

 

Actualizado el 24 de marzo de 2021, a las 12:13 PM 

FB Twitter SP April 16 2020 Special Election

 

¡Vote el 6 de Abril!

 ¿Sabía que muchos residentes del Condado de San Diego van a votar de nuevo el 6 de abril? Habrá una elección especial para el Distrito 79 de la Asamblea. Acabamos de pasar una elección presidencial muy importante y un año en el que hubo mucho que hablar acerca del voto por correo y la importancia de hacer escuchar su voz en las urnas. Nos dimos cuenta de la importancia de votar temprano y los grandes cambios que unos cuantos votos pueden lograr a nivel federal, estatal y local.

Nosotros debemos seguir fortaleciendo nuestra cultura del voto conforme se aproxima otra importante elección para los Sandieguinos.

 

¿Por qué tendremos la Elección Especial el 6 de abril?

El 29 de enero de 2021, la Dra. Shirley Weber se convirtió en la primera afroamericana en ocupar el cargo de Secretaria de Estado de California. El gobernador Newsom la nombro para tomó la posición vacante por el anterior Secretario de Estado de California, Alex Padilla. Secretaria Weber fue asambleísta en representación del distrito 79 desde el 2012. Esta vacante motivó esta elección primaria especial del 6 de abril, 2021 que será seguida por una elección especial general el 8 de junio, 2021.

 

¿Cómo aprendo más acerca de los candidatos(as)?

EHC junto con nuestros aliados en Engage San Diegoorganizó un foro de candidatos en Facebook en vivo. Participaron cuatro de los candidatos. Haga clic a continuación para ver una grabación del foro y escuchar a estos candidatos discutir sobre la recuperación de COVID, la justicia climática y otros asuntos de justicia social.

 

Avance hasta el minuto 38:00 para saber qué programas o métodos les gustaría que California usara a los candidatos mientras continuamos el camino hacia la justicia climática y la lucha contra el cambio climático.

 

¿Vivo en el distrito?

Si Usted vive en Bonita, La Mesa o en Lemon Grove, entonces usted vive en el distrito y debe votar. El distrito también incluye algunas áreas de Chula Vista, National City y de la ciudad de San Diego por lo que le recomendamos que consulte este mapa para verificar si va a votar.

¿Averigüe si está votando?

 

Otra información importante

¡Vote de manera segura por correo a más tardar el 6 de abril!

¡Fechas Importantes!


United to Vote Logo - Justice For Our Communities Begins With Your Voice

VOTER GUIDE

SAN DIEGO

  • YES on A - Affordable Homes for all San Diegans
  • Learn more
  • YES on B - Police Accountability: Create a community led, independent review board on police activity
  • Learn more

STATEWIDE

  • Yes on 15 - Stop Corporate tax breaks! Support Our Schools and Communities
  • Learn more
  • Yes on 16 - End discrimination in college admissions and government hiring
  • Learn more
  • Yes en 17 - Restore voting rights for people on parole
  • Learn more
  • Yes on 21 - Allow local governments to expand rent control and limit rent increases
  • Learn more
  • NO on 22 - Uphold the law to prohibit exploitation of workers
  • Learn more
United to Vote Logo - Justice For Our Communities Begins With Your Voice

GUÍA DEL VOTANTE

SAN DIEGO

  • en A - Vivienda asequible para todos los sandieguinos
  • Para más información
  • en B - Responsabilidad policial: Crear una junta de revisión independiente dirigida por la comunidad sobre la actividad policial
  • Para más información

STATEWIDE

  • en 15 - ¡Detenga las exenciones fiscales corporativas! Apoye a nuestras escuelas y comunidades.
  • Para más información
  • en 16 - Pone fin a la discriminación en las admisiones universitarias y contrataciones gubernamentales
  • Para más información
  • en 17 - Restaura los derechos de voto de las personas en libertad condicional
  • Para más información
  • en 21 - Permite que los gobiernos locales amplíen el control de los alquileres y limiten los aumento de los alquileres
  • Para más información
  • NO en 22 - Mantener la ley para prohibir la explotación de los trabajadores(as)
  • Para más información
United to Vote Logo - Justice For Our Communities Begins With Your Voice

HƯỚNG DẪN CHO CỬ TRI

SAN DIEGO

  • ĐÚNG CÁC BIỆN PHÁP A Nhà giá cả phải chăng cho tất cả người dân San Diegans
  • Learn more
  • ĐÚNG CÁC BIỆN PHÁP B Trách nhiệm giải trình của cảnh sát: Tạo một ban đánh giá độc lập, do cộng đồng lãnh đạo về hoạt động của cảnh sát
  • Learn more

TOÀN TIU BANG

  • ĐÚNG DỰ LUẬT 15 Ngừng giảm thuế doanh nghiệp! Hỗ trợ trường học và cộng đồng của chúng tôi
  • Learn more
  • ĐÚNG DỰ LUẬT 16 Chấm dứt phân biệt đối xử trong tuyển sinh đại học và tuyển dụng của chính phủ
  • Learn more
  • ĐÚNG DỰ LUẬT 17 Khôi phục quyền biểu quyết cho những người được ân xá
  • Learn more
  • ĐÚNG DỰ LUẬT 21 Cho phép chính quyền địa phương mở rộng kiểm soát tiền thuê và hạn chế tăng tiền thuê
  • Learn more
  • KHÔNG DỰ LUẬT 22 Tuân thủ luật cấm bóc lột người lao động
  • Learn more

No new shipyards!

JOIN US: Census 2020 Virtual Town Halls

Have you completed the 2020 Census? Data gathered every 10 years by the Census is used to distribute $800+ billion annually in federal funding to support healthcare, economic security, parks and schools, and much more!

In these uncertain times, it is even more critical that our communities are not left behind because they were not counted.

If you need support or answers to your Census questions, please join our Census 2020 Virtual Town Halls on June 11 or June 18. The events are being broadcast via Zoom and Facebook Live in both Spanish and English.

RSVP on Facebook:

Facebook Live broadcasts will be streamed on the EHC Facebook Page

RSVP on Zoom:

We will discuss how to fill out the census survey in different ways, including remotely. Our panel of Census experts will provide updates on self-response rates in hard-to-count communities. They will share ways you can help get others counted and answer many frequently asked questions including:

  • What is my 12-digit Census ID?
  • What do I do if I do not have a Census ID?
  • Can I do the Census online?
  • Should I enter everyone in my house? Even the kids?

Did you know that children under five are the most undercounted age group in the census? This lack of data has a direct impact on classroom sizes, school lunches, access to schoolbooks, and much more. In fact, each person not counted in the Census costs $2,000 every year in essential government services our families and communities need and deserve.

Join us on June 11 or June 18 to learn how you can complete the 2020 Census safely and easily.

For more information, please contact Jorge Gonzalez:
Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

 

Countme2020

 

JOIN US: Census 2020 Virtual Town Halls - June 11 and June 18

Have you received a letter in the mail asking you to complete the 2020 Census?

If so, please complete the Census right away! It only takes 5 -10 minutes. Each person not counted costs your community $2,000 each year in government services such as improved transportation, better parks and schools, healthcare and other services your community deserves. These services are more important now than ever.

Start now by opening the envelope from the Census Bureau to locate your unique Census ID number. Got it? Here are three ways you can complete the Census:

  1. ONLINE: You can now complete your census online and for the first time, the Census form will be available in 13 languages, including Spanish and Vietnamese.

  2. BY PHONE: The Census can also be completed in 13 languages over the phone. Simply call 1-844-330-2020 and follow the instructions.

  3. BY MAIL: Request a paper form in English or Spanish that can be mailed back to the U.S. Census Bureau.

NOTE: You will be asked for your Census ID # when submitting your census in any of these three ways.

No Census ID? No Problem. Call the Census Hotline to request a form or complete the census over the phone using your address:

English 844-330-2020 or Spanish 844-468-2020

 

CENSUS 2020 RESOURCES

EHC is working with Count Me 2020 to encourage everyone to participate in Census 2020 and bring vital resources to our communities. Learn more by watching this video:

 
Take our pledge to complete the 2020 Census:

If you have any questions about Census 2020, you can always contact EHC by emailing Jorge Gonzalez at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. for more information.

 

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors controls a $6 billion budget and makes critical decisions about health, housing, air quality, and toxic pollution in our communities. In 2020, residents of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, National City and the rest of San Diego County District 1 will be electing a new supervisor for the first time in almost a quarter of a century.

On May 31, 2019, EHC partnered with ACCE, Engage San Diego and the Invest in San Diego Families Coalition to host a public forum and hear from the declared supervisor candidates on how they would address critical issues facing communities in District 1.

Watch the full Facebook Live video recording of the Candidate's Forum:

The following declared candidates were in attendance at the forum:

  • Sophia Rodriguez
  • Nora Vargas
  • Raphael Castellanos

Ben Hueso, the only other declared candidate on May 31, was unable to attend the forum due to his current commitments as State Senator, which required him to be in Sacramento. He sent a short video clip in which he outlined some of the key elements of his campaign.

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Based on the over 150 residents packing the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in National City last Wednesday, it’s clear EHC members and residents of District 1 want their voices heard in holding this office accountable. A group of community members had the opportunity to ask the attending candidates to respond to the following questions:


AIR POLLUTION: Philomena Marino
District 1 contains the region’s hot spots for diesel and particulate pollution. It includes the world’s busiest border crossing, the Otay truck crossing, the 905 and 5 freight corridors, the Port cargo terminals, heavy industry at the waterfront, and smaller industries. It includes the communities that rank highest in the region on CalEnviroScreeen, the state’s tool for identification of the most impacted communities.

Q. What will you do to improve air quality for the residents and workers in District 1?


COUNTY BUDGET AND RESERVE: Tammy Jackson
The County of San Diego controls a budget of over $6 Billion, and they have budget reserves of over 50% of their annual revenue, which is almost $2 billion dollars.

Q. If elected would you spend the reserves and if so, how would you prioritize those expenditures?


HEALTH: Maria Teresa Goodman
District 1 corresponds closely to the County’s HHS South region. The South region has numerous health challenges, with higher rates of several important conditions. Such examples as higher rates of Coronary Heart Disease and stroke hospitalization, higher rates of Diabetes hospitalizations, and higher rates of pulmonary disease.

Q. What will you do to reduce the environmental, economic, and social justice factors that contribute to this disparity in health outcomes?


HOUSING: Barbara Pinto
The most recent homeless count in the county is over 8100 individuals.

Q. With the housing crisis getting worse, what are some of your policy ideas to protect and preserve existing housing, and to produce new housing?


 CLIMATE JUSTICE: Roddy Jerome
District 1 represents communities most impacted by climate change.

Q. What specific changes would you make to the County’s Climate Action Plan to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Within your answer please say what role should the County have in advancing mass public transit?


COUNTY SERVICES: Enrique Zapata

The county has underinvested in staff in key areas such as social workers, behavioral health, eligibility workers, public health nurses and many others.

Q. What you would do to assure proper services are provided in these areas and other county departments?


 

Finally, the candidates were asked a series of rapid-fire questions with the options to choose yes, no, or give a 15-second explanation.

D1 Question Chart Page 1
(Click image above to view the questions in a PDF document)


Photos and videos from the Candidate Forum:

D1 Candidate's Forum

Untied to vote 2

United to Vote 3

Justice for our communities begins with your voice. When we vote we are united, and when we are united we are powerful.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Use our voter guide below to vote for environmental justice and advance the policies that will build #healthyhoods for our families.

  • For all voters: Vote NO on Proposition 70
    Preserve funding for affordable housing and better transportation in our communities.

  • For National City voters: Vote NO on B
    Don't repeal voter-approved term limits for the Mayor of National City.

  • For National City voters: Vote YES on C
    Retain voter-approved term limits for the Mayor of National City and create term limits for the National City Council. 

For more information on statewide ballot measures, please click here.

To learn more about EHC's civic engagement work, please click here or contact Jorge Gonzalez at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

United to Vote 1

 

As District 8 City Councilmember David Alvarez completes his two terms, voters will have the opportunity to choose a new champion for our community.

At EHC’s first-ever candidate forum, community members packed the Sherman Heights Community Center to meet Antonio Martinez, Vivian Moreno and Christian Ramirez, the City Council candidates for District 8. District 8 includes Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights and more, and is one of EHC's core neighborhoods.

Candidate Forum Panorama

For two hours, our leaders asked each candidate important questions about how they intend to make our communities healthy and safe places to live, work and play. Together we discussed the Barrio Logan community plan update, access to affordable transportation as well as safe places to walk and bike, equity in the City's climate action plan, the increase in temporary homeless shelters, protecting families from displacement and policies that would mediate community air pollution and route trucks out of our neighborhoods. 

  • Panchito, Barrio Logan leader: In order for change in underserved communities to be sustained over time, we need to maintain a pipeline of leadership in all sectors that will continue to champion the causes of our community. How will you create an environment in District 8 that encourages and/or prepares youth to be the leaders of tomorrow focused on building better communities?

  • Silvia, Sherman Heights leader: The issue of affordable housing, homelessness and how to provide supportive services to homeless individuals is directly impacting many residents of District 8. How will you address this community concern?

  • Philomena, Barrio Logan leader: Residents in District 8 deal with many burdens due to close proximity to both the Port of San Diego and the Naval Base. One of these is the impact of limited parking in the community due to shipyard and Navy workers parking throughout the community due to lack of designated parking at their workplaces. . What would you do to solve this ongoing issue?

  • Roddy, City Heights leader: The City of San Diego passed a Climate Action Plan in 2015 with a strong requirement for social equity that EHC members fought hard for. What would you do to prioritize Climate Justice in the implementation of this plan?

  • Maria, Barrio Logan leader: Land use and zoning that allows industries to locate next to homes results in health and safety issues If elected what would be your strategy and plan to address this issue?

Toward the end of the two-hour event, candidates were given the rapid-fire questions on the chart below and the options to choose yes, no or give a 15-second explanation. Candidate initials were marked in the columns for their chosen answers.

Forum answers 1
Forum answers 2
Forum answers 3

Each of the candidates said yes to:

  • Meeting with the EHC Community Action Teams in Sherman Heights and Barrio Logan within 90 days of assuming office and attending at least two meetings each per year after that
  • Supporting the 2013 community-developed Barrio Logan community plan update
  • Supporting the Children’s Right to Lead-Safe Housing Ordinance Amendment to make housing lead safe at the point of sale
  • Hiring a climate justice staffer to support the City climate action plan
  • Supporting the Barrio Logan clean air and safe streets ordinance to set strictly enforced truck routes
  • Opposing the expansion of the 94 freeway
  • Supporting a free youth transit pass policy in San Diego
  • Standing against community threats from Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Supporting community members when they say they need a street light or a stop sign
  • Fighting for better bus and transit stops that include shelter and shade for people waiting
  • Opposing the continuation of temporary homeless shelters being disproportionately placed in District 8
  • Advocating for better retention practices in the San Diego Police Department
  • Supporting a joint-use park at Perkins Elementary School

Throughout the evening, community members shared their thoughts and takeaways on Twitter

Forum tweet 1

Forum tweet 2

Forum tweet 3

Forum tweet 4

Forum tweet 5

Forum tweet 6

Forum tweet 7

Thank you to each candidate, to our moderator and Barrio Logan College Institute CEO Jose Cruz and our fearless community leaders and volunteers who made this evening possible.

Don’t forget to use your voice and vote for our next community champion on June 5. If you have any questions about how to vote, contact Jorge Gonzalez at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. or 619-474-0220 x 122.

Candidates Forum Social Flyer FINAL eng

With our vote, we are powerful.

One of the most powerful votes we can cast is for our San Diego City Council member. Our City Council directs how our cities run, including the policies that shape healthy and safe neighborhoods for our families.

In District 8, which includes Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, San Ysidro and more, we have the opportunity to choose a new community champion.

On Thursday, March 15, EHC proudly hosts a public forum at the Sherman Heights Community Center (2258 Island Ave, San Diego, 92102) for City Council’s District 8 candidates. Join us at 5:30 p.m. to ask Antonio Martinez, Vivian Moreno and Christian Ramirez about how they plan to address important issues in our communities.

The District 8 Candidates Forum will be moderated by Jose Cruz, the chief executive officer of Barrio Logan College Institute, and light refreshments will be provided.

If you plan to attend the event or participate in the Facebook live stream, please RSVP on Facebook.

By: Giuliana Schroeder – Individual Giving Director

Recently I sat down with Franco Garcia, EHC’s associate director of organizing, to talk about civic engagement and what it means for our communities.

Franco, why is civic engagement in our communities important?

Historically, low-income families of color are unlikely to vote. When we vote, we can positively impact election results. When we don’t vote, we give up the opportunity to create a safer and healthier environment for our families.

How many people in our communities vote?

The chart below shows that 60 percent of California is made up of communities of color, yet only 35 percent of us vote. To ensure the policies that will build #healthyhoods win, we have to change this picture.

franco copy

What does EHC hope to accomplish with its civic engagement work in 2018?

Ultimately, we want voting to represent the community voice. We want to empower our residents to go to the polls so we can ensure the policies that pass reflect our needs and what we know will build #healthyhoods.

EHC has a track record of impacting elections and the culture of voting. Every investment in EHC enables us to provide resources to empower the most marginalized communities to find their voice and use it at the polls.

To learn more about our civic engagement efforts or to get involved, please contact Franco at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

EHC election blog

The morning of November 9 was bittersweet.

Locally, we felt strong as we celebrated major victories for our communities, including the election of Georgette Gomez to City Council. Nationally, we felt a mountain grow in front of us.

As 2016 comes to a close, we want to share a message of hope and courage. We invite you to join us as we celebrate our local victories while we march forward as an unwavering and unstoppable charge for justice.

Get involved in our neighborhoods, explore environmental justice job opportunities, follow our movement on social media and remember that in 2017 and beyond, we stand united.
 

Dominique edit2


“It’s okay to feel upset, angry and scared. We’re all feeling that way. Let’s take comfort in a network of allies that care about justice and will come together stronger than ever.”
Dominique Navarro, Fund Development Associate

 

   

Franco Garcia

“Do not be discouraged. Our victories at the local level were really important. I can’t emphasize enough that San Diego had one of the highest voter turnouts of any major county in California. Everything EHC supported locally went our way. We’re happy, but we’re not resting on it.”
Franco Garcia, Associate Director of Organizing

  

Lilia Escalante
“After the election, people’s attitudes were very grey. If at any point we were disconnected, now is the time for us to unite. The way I see it, if you’re angry or upset, channel it into something good.”
Lilia Escalante, Fiscal Manager

 

  

When we speak in unison, we stay strong, and our communities cannot be ignored. To make election day easy on November 8, we’ve put together this voting guide to highlight the most important propositions for justice in our neighborhoods.

voter empowerment

No on Measure A: Protect our children’s health

Say no to a deceptive 40-year tax increase that pays for freeway expansion and air pollution.

No on Measure C: No Downtown Stadium

Say no to a $1 billion tax dollar giveaway. Put our neighborhoods first!

No on Measure D: Protect Our Neighborhoods

Say no to a stadium or convention center on top of residential neighborhoods.

Yes on K: Restore Democracy

Vote yes to prevent insiders from controlling City Hall. Voters should choose their city representatives from the top two vote getters.

Yes on L: Full Voter Participation

Vote yes to allow San Diego voters to decide on propositions in November, when most people vote.

Pledge to use your voice, and your vote, on November 8, 2016.

Click here to learn about registering to vote.

Learn more about EHC's voter empowerment efforts and how to use your voice for justice on election day.

When you get ready to head to the polls on election day, here are a few tips to make your day successful:

Voter Empowerment

1. Register to vote and check which political party you're registered with.

2. Read up on candidates and ballot measures. 

3. Know your polling location. If you don't know your polling location, visit the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to find out where you vote. Plan accordingly to make sure you have enough time to complete your ballot.

4. Secure a babysitter or take shifts with other parents so everyone can take the time to vote. 

5. Know your voting rights. For instance, if you are not on the list of registered voters or someone asks for your ID, you have options. Before you go, read the rights every voter has in California.

6. You can take a sample ballot or a list of candidates with you to the polling locations. You can even bring in an endorsement list, just as long as that item you have does not contain any campaign advertisements.

7. If you need help voting, you are allowed to have a family member, a friend or caregiver in the booth to assist you.

8. If you are unsure about something on your ballot, ask for assistance from an election official. Do not be embarrassed to ask for help.

9. Don't feel rushed. Take your time when you enter the voting booth.

10. Be prepared to stand in line. There is a good chance you will be standing in line at some polling locations in order to vote.

Remember, you can always contact EHC if you have any questions by calling (619) 474-0220 or Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. for more information. Make sure you get out to vote and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

KingChavezrotator

We applaud the Port of San Diego for passing a sustainable plan for the expansion of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal that acknowledges and addresses concerns of the surrounding communities. More than 40 community members from Barrio Logan, Logan Heights and Sherman Heights attended a hearing urging Port officials to reduce pollution and incorporate community benefits into the plan. More than 500 residents from the neighborhoods and throughout San Diego signed petitions echoing their demands.

Click here to learn more. 

San Diego City Council approved a precedent setting climate action plan, making San Diego the first city in California to incorporate the statewide tool, CalEnviroScreen, in its plan to mitigate local impacts of climate change. CalEnviroScreen, the first comprehensive screening system identifying California communities most impacted by pollution, will be used in San Diego to direct investment and benefits to those San Diego neighborhoods that need it the most.

Click here to learn more. 

The July issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our EJ victory, Black Lives Matter + more

 

E-Blast Version

Toxinformer - July 2020 (PDF coming soon)

The June issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our EJ Victory in National City + more

E-Blast Version

Toxinformer - June 2020 (PDF coming soon)

The May issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about Nobel prize for air quality and more...

E-Blast Version

Toxinformer - May 2020 (PDF coming soon)

The April issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our COVID-19 response and more.

 

E-Blast Version

Toxinformer - April 2020 (PDF coming soon)

The March issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about Census 2020 and more.

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The February issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about United to Vote and more.

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The January issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our 40th anniversary and more.

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The November/December issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our EJ Victory and more...

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The October issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our new partnership with $1 Billion SOMAH program and more...

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The September issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about the Barrio Logan truck crash and more...

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The August issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about San Diego's $15 million lead settlement and more...

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The July issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our District 1 County Supervisor Candidates Forum and more...

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The June issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about our new SALTA community tours and more...

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The May issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about Chicano Park Herb Garden and more..

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The April issue of our monthly newsletter is ready. Read about demanding clean air for all San Diegans and more...

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The March issue of our monthly newsletter is now live. Read about building mass power and more!

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The February issue of our monthly newsletter is now live. Read about the fight for transportation justice and more!

 

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The latest of issue of Toxinformer, EHC's monthly newsletter, is now live. Read about our win for cleaner air and safer streets in Bario Logan and much more!

 

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Times of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

Times of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Passes Resolution to Restrict Truck Pollution in Barrio Logan

  • New route for heavy duty trucks will direct them away from residents
  • Environmental Health Coalition celebrates approval of the policy championed by community residents to protect public health

San Diego CityBeat. View Story. Download PDF.

Uniradio Informa. View Story. Download PDF.

Times of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

  • They presented the comic today during a tour of the Arroyo Alamar
  • Some of the youth artists appear in the publication as characters in photographs and as drawings
  • Launch of comic book “Mi comunidad y el Alamar, un río binacional y una comunidad fronteriza” (My community and the Alamar, a binational river and a border community.” 
  • The comic book contains information on the flora and fauna of the Alamar River as well as its important for Tijuana and San Diego

San Diego Free Press. View Story. Download PDF.

Times of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF

Voice of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF

• Assessment released today sets baseline data to more easily evaluate City of San Diego’s progress moving forward
• Plan recommends immediate action in the areas that will have the most impact: mass transit and community investment

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF

La Prensa San Diego. View Story. Download PDF

Affordable Housing Finance. View Story. Download PDF

Community Activists, Artists and Youth Unite for #HealthyHoods with Environmental Health Coalition

San Diego Union Tribune. View storyDownload PDF

La Prensa San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

San Diego Union Tribune. View storyDownload PDF

Voice of San Diego. View Article. Download PDF

Voice of San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

Marguerite Casey Foundation. View storyDownload PDF

EHC to spearhead accessibility of three public parks in National City

San Diego Reader. View storyDownload PDF

Times of San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

Environmental Health Coalition proposes designated truck route in Barrio Logan to protect public health

San Diego Free Press. View StoryDownload PDF

  • Organization requests city publicly release original election results
  • Community committed to even bigger turnout on April 18

San Diego Union Tribune. View storyDownload PDF

Voice of San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

Voice of San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

  • Environmental justice organization to ensure Air Resources Board holds SANDAG accountable to equitable, transparent implementation of SB 375
  • EHC says low-income communities of color continue to suffer first and worst from climate change

La Prensa San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

  • Senator Toni Atkins, President Pro Tempore, to keynote April 19 event
  • Evening to encourage civic engagement in San Diego’s low-income communities of color in 2018 elections

La Prensa San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

San Diego Reader. View storyDownload PDF

San Diego Free Press. View storyDownload PDF

Voice of San Diego. View storyDownload PDF

San Diego Reader. View storyDownload PDF

NoticiasYa San Diego. View Story on YouTube.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

 

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

The Real News Network. View Story. Download PDF.

Times of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. View Story

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

ABC 10News

La Jornada. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune (En Espanol). View Story. Download PDF.

EARTHJUSTICE. View Story. Download PDF.

EHC's research director, Joy Williams is quoted in the article

KUSI. View Story. Download PDF.

Click the view story link above to watch video clip with statements from Barrio Logan resident Philomena Marino and EHC executive director, Diane Takvorian.

Read our press release regardng the crash.

Noticias Ya/Univision San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

La Prensa. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

20 years ago, EHC established a program to protect children from exposure to dangerous, even deadly lead dust in older San Diego homes. Hear EHC's Leticia Ayala talk about the key role EHC played in winning this settlement.

EHC will now work with the City Attorney and other agencies to ensure EJ communities receive an equitable share of this settlement.

Listen on KPBS (24:55 - 30:55)

The state Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday dispersed environmental justice grants totalling nearly $90,000 to a pair of environmentalist groups in San Diego.

The Environmental Health Coalition received $50,000 to educate local residents about air pollution and air quality issues, and the I Am My Brother’s Keeper Community Development Corporation received $39,850 to launch a campaign to educate mobile home communities in the county’s southeastern areas on environmental sustainability.

Times of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

Martinez, in conjunction with Paradise Creek Partnership, received one of five 2019 Excellence Awards from the American Planning Association for their advocacy of the Paradise Creek housing development, a 201­unit affordable complex built on a remediated brownfield in Old Town National City.

CP&DR, Download PDF

Excerpt: Efforts in California could provide a road map for statewide – and national – efforts. “At the municipal level is where people can see and experience solutions themselves and improve their quality of life,” says Carolina Martínez, policy director at the Environmental Health Coalition.

Full article on the Marguerite Casey Foundation's 'Equal Voices':

View Story. Download PDF.

Joy Williams, research director with the Environmental Health Coalition, told the board that certain communities have more than their share of toxic air facilities and that the new proposal allows for new rules to be developed in a transparent manner.

Full article on KPBS: View Story. Download PDF.

National City, California (pop. 61,000), is San Diego County's second oldest city. It sits on the bay, five miles south of the San Diego Zoo, 10 miles shy of the Tijuana border crossing. Tourists taking the trolley from San Diego to Tijuana stop twice within its city limits. Its waterfront, largely a working industrial naval base, flanked by I-5, brings employment and regional ties.

Planning by American Planning Association, View Full Story. Download PDF.

Excerpt: In San Diego, low-income neighborhoods near port terminals also face high amounts of pollution from ships, diesel trucks and traffic, said Diane Takvorian, executive director of the Environmental Health Coalition.

Full article on California Health Report: View Story. Download PDF.

La Prensa. View Story. Download PDF.

Scrolll down to read the MTS report with quotes from Ana Castro Reynoso, policy advocate for EHC.

Voice of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.

Times of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

Coast News. View Story. Download PDF.

Voice of San Diego. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego County News. View Story. Download PDF.

San Diego Union Tribune. View Story. Download PDF.