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.
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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)
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
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
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
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
Edición Especial, Otoño de 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
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.
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.
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.
The Port can put our health first by committing to these goals in the Maritime Clean Air Strategy:
Click below to sign our petition and demand clean air.
Versión en español a continuación.
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.
Environmental 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 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.’”
A 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 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:
The 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.
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 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 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”.
Al 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 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:
La 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..
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.
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.
Versión en Español
¡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.
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.
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:
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
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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
Select pictures from the April 26 event:
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.
Carolina received the award at the annual APA conference on April 15, 2019 in San Francisco:
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.
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.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
More AB 423 Resources
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!
(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.
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 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.
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:
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.
