Climate Justice Alliance
Climate Justice Alliance is an organization that seeks to unite frontline communities and organizations to a formidable force. They are building a Just Transition away from extractive systems of production, consumption, and political oppression, and towards resilient, regenerative, and equitable economics. They take part in a number of things such as inspiring and organizing action by frontline communities, building resilient economies, exposing false promises posed as ‘solutions’ to the climate crisis, and confronting governments and industry to act boldly on climate change.
Environmental Justice Foundation
Environmental Justice Foundation is an organization dedicated to securing a world where natural habitats and environments can sustain, and be sustained by, the communities that depend upon them for their basic needs and livelihoods. They use video, along with new technologies, to document threats to environmental security and human rights. They host several campaigns that run across five key areas: oceans, wildlife and biodiversity, climate, forests, and cotton.
Organizing People, Activating Leaders (OPAL)
OPAL is a non-profit dedicated to amplifying the voices of negatively-impacted individuals to address environmental inequalities. OPAL ensures decision-makers cannot ignore the experiences of the people who have the most to gain, or lose from policy outcomes. They lead campaigns, impact public processes, and win victories in policy and procedure.
WE ACT
WE ACT’s mission is to “expand political participation among communities of color and low-income residents in order to impact environmental planning and decision making.” WE ACT is a grassroots organization located in Northern Manhattan that has extended their mission beyond their Northern Manhattan roots to state and federal levels. WE ACT is a driving force of change that improves the well-being of all New Yorkers. Their campaign has culminated in the creation of the West Harlem Piers Park and the implementation of new bus pollution standards that led New York’s MTA to switch from diesel fuel to hybrid electric (reduce tailpipe emission by 95%). Additionally, WE ACT is a powerful force for environmental policy and they have worked on the city, state, and federal levels to improve policy on environmental health and justice. In 2016, alongside partners they helped to pass the country’s first Safe School Water Act and in 2017, WE ACT was instrumental in passing NYC’s Environmental Justice Study Bill (359) and Environmental Justice Policy Bill (886A).
The Students for Environmental Justice Conference 