Civic Engagement & Voting Rights

The mission of Sowing Justice is to utilize Environmental Justice principles to increase civic engagement beyond voting with organizing tools and resources. We provide resources and tools to empower engagement and implement local, state, and federal policies that foster healthy and safe communities where people live, learn, work, worship, and recreate. Our resources and tools foster high information civilly engaged communities that seek transparency and accountability of decision-making processes. Our vision is to use citizen science and voter registration to increase civic engagement to address environmental racism and injustice and to increase advocacy to support policies that create a legacy of clean air, water, and soil right now and for generations to come.

South Bronx Unite works to achieve environmental, health, and social justice in the Mott Haven – Port Morris section of the South Bronx through community organizing, advocacy, and research. We envision a South Bronx where everyone is thriving because we have: equal access to clean air and nutritious food; truly affordable and quality housing; good health care; jobs with livable wages; justice in public safety and policing; resources to nurture arts and culture; people’s centers; open green spaces; good schools with adequate resources; and community-led decisions for public policy.

Our mission is to bring attention to the community led solutions in resistance to chemical exposures, environmental toxins, environmental racism and ecological destruction- all of which negatively impact the health and well-being of fenceline communities.

PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources) is a women led, people of color grassroots social justice organization formed in 1991 to increase the participation of residents of East Austin in decisions related to the economic development and environmental protection of our communities. Our mission is to redefine environmental issues as social and economic justice issues, and collectively set our own agenda to address these concerns as basic human rights. We seek to empower our communities through education, advocacy and action.

People for Community Recovery was founded in 1979 by Hazel Johnson, known as the mother of the environmental justice movement. PCR’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of residents affected by environmental pollution.  PCR educates the public, advocates for policy and program changes and coordinates services on issues of the environment, education, health, housing, safety, and economic equity.

North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN) is a grassroots, people of color-led coalition of community organizations and their supporters who work with low income communities and people of color on issues of climate, environmental, racial, and social injustice.

The NC Climate Justice Collective cultivates a multi-racial, intergenerational grassroots movement ecosystem to address the root causes of climate change. Using popular education and cultural organizing, we ignite social transformation. We center all our work in the leadership of youth, Black, Indigenous and people of color, women, low wealth people, and LGBTQI+ people to create strategic alignment. We are bringing an end to fracked gas infrastructure, coal ash pollution, industrial agriculture and forest destruction while planting the seeds of a life-sustaining, regenerative society.

The Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) is a statewide environmental health and justice research and advocacy organization. ACAT believes everyone has a right to clean air and water and toxic-free foods. Driven by a core belief in environmental justice, ACAT empowers communities to eliminate exposure to toxic chemicals through collaborative research, shared science, education, organizing, and advocacy. ACAT works to eliminate the production and release of harmful chemicals by industry and military sources; ensure the public right-to-know; achieve policies based on the precautionary principle; and support the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Working in collaboration with grassroots communities, policy makers and researchers, CEED conducts research and provides community education on important energy, environment, and development issues – so that all members of society may effectively participate in public decision-making.

The Community In-Power & Development Association, Inc. empowers residents in low-income communities in Port Arthur, Texas to take action against neighboring chemical manufacturers, refineries and incinerator facilities. CIDA also works to transform dilapidated and underserved areas into desirable communities that have a strong economic base.

The mission of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice is to protect the health and welfare of urban centers by supporting efforts to reduce fossil power emissions in a responsible manner.

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) works to advance environmental justice and sustainable development in vulnerable communities, particularly those in the Gulf Coast region. Through education, training, community engagement, and research, DSCEJ empowers individuals and communities to address environmental inequities and build resilience against environmental hazards. The organization is dedicated to fostering equity and ensuring that marginalized communities have a voice in shaping environmental policies and solutions.

The Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform (EJHA) is a national collective of grassroots Environmental and Economic Justice groups located throughout the United States. Along with our partners, we support a diverse movement towards safe chemicals and a pollution-free economy that leaves no community or worker behind. EJHA organizes direct engagement in industry reform strategies by grassroots organizations in frontline communities to promote just outcomes. EJHA hosts a network and policy platform engaging organizations and individuals in advocacy for communities that are disproportionately impacted by toxic chemicals, from legacy contaminated sites, from ongoing exposure to polluting facilities, and from toxic chemicals in consumer products. The EJHA network model features leadership of, by, and for local Environmental Justice groups with participation and support by additional allied groups.

Flint Rising works to provide accurate information and resources about the Flint Water Crisis. The organization is led by the residents of Flint, Michigan and partners with grassroots groups, volunteers, the labor movement and other allies to fight for justice.

The mission of the Green Door Initiative is to ensure that everyone is environmentally literate and capable of promoting and living a sustainable lifestyle. The work of Green Door Initiative is grounded in securing environmental justice for vulnerable Detroit residents who are entitled to equal environmental protection under the law. Green Door Initiative works passionately for clean air, safe drinking water and access to green jobs, and are developing youth leadership in environmental advocacy.

GreenLatinos is an active community of Latino/a/x leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation. Our vision is a healthy and equitable society where communities of color are liberated from disproportionate environmental burdens, free to breathe fresh air, drink pure water, access clean transportation, and enjoy majestic public lands, oceans, and waters.