Environmental injustice addresses a statistical fact: people who live and work in America's most polluted environments are commonly people of color and the poor.

Communities of color are routinely targeted to host facilities that have negative environmental impacts, for example a landfill, dirty industrial plant or truck depot -- THIS is environmental racism. These places exist so that the rest of society can live a comfortable distance from the consequences of their consumptive lifestyles.

Frontline communities of color have been battling this injustice for decades. Communities of color are more likely to live near coal-power plants and toxic sites, greatly increasing health risks caused by pollution. As the climate crisis continues, these communities will continue to bear the brunt.

Sen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have drafted the Climate Equity Act, a legislative proposal to achieve the key principle of justice for frontline communities. This legislation focuses on communities most impacted by the crisis and the transition to renewable energy

The Climate Equity Act will require environmental and climate-related legislation receive an equity score that will transparently estimate the impact on frontline communities, require environmental and climate-related rules and regulations have significant impact on frontline communities, and ensure that representatives of frontline communities are at the table during the review of rules and regulations of a newly established Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability.

If brought into fruition, the Climate Equity Act will help rebuild communities affected by environmental injustice, ensuring they receive adequate attention from Congress looking forward.

We MUST ensure protections for communities impacted by environmental racism.

Sign the petition: Demand environmental justice NOW!

Progress America