Resources

Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services

What they do: “educat[e] individuals on health concerns…arising from environmental pollution, empowering individuals with an understanding of applicable environmental laws and regulations and promoting their enforcement, and offering community building skills and resources for effective community action and greater public participation.”

  • Community air monitoring
  • Toxic tours through the East End of Houston

Learn more: http://tejasbarrios.org/

Air Alliance Houston

What they do: “By working with coalitions, communities, and decision-makers to address environmental injustices, we fight for a future in which where you live, work, learn and play will not determine your health. Through applied research, education, and advocacy, we work together to deliver cleaner air for a healthier future”

  • Provide information about environmental hazards through the interactive “BREATHE” tool, which allows users to locate environmental hazards within their neighborhoods and elected officials’ districts; identify where illegal air pollution releases have occurred and where air permit applications have been filed; and identify where where public air monitors are located (http://breathehouston.org/)
  • Provide a tool for people living near petrochemical plants to receive pollution alerts and report polluters in their area (http://www.neighborhoodwitness.org/)
  • Provide resources for people to submit air quality complaints to the City of Houston, Harris County, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
  • Research air quality challenges and their solutions to better understand impacts on public health
  • Work with communities, advocacy groups, decision-makers, and the media to affect policies that will improve quality of life

Learn more: http://airalliancehouston.org/

Citizens’ Environmental Coalition Houston

What they do: “We connect concerned citizens and community leaders with well over 100 diverse environmental organizations. We share, support, and enhance their efforts and environmental advocacy. We do this through our programs, which include events that enhance understanding, and publications that give a balanced perspective on environmental issues.”

Learn more: https://cechouston.org/

Dallas Peace & Justice Center

What they do: “The Mission of the Dallas Peace and Justice Center is to promote a just and peaceful world through education, dialogue, reconciliation, advocacy and constructive action. Our vision is that of a nonviolent world that works for all with justice and respect for the Earth, self and others…a world where our children and future generations can expect to live in a just and peaceful society based on connectedness and compassion.”

  • Has an Environmental Justice Committee that works to educate and raise awareness about environmental issues and advocate for accountability of powerful industries, corporations, and businesses
  • Organizes events and nonviolent direct actions in defense of the planet and the rights of all to have clean water, clean air, and access to nutritious food

Learn more: https://www.dpjc.org/about-the-dpjc/environmental-justice

Houston Peace & Justice Center

What they do: “Beyond its importance to our area, HPJC will be a leader in collaborative regional work for peace and justice. This work includes advocacy in state legislatures, campaigns to achieve goals such as changing a multinational corporation’s behavior, and mass mobilizations.”

  • Supports local environmental and environmental justice projects through volunteering, event sponsorship, and grants to activists
  • Works with local environmental groups to promote environmental justice through nonviolent action
  • Lobbies the Texas legislature on environmental justice issues
  • Supports living wage campaign efforts and affordable housing-oriented groups
  • Sponsors environmental summits at local universities

Learn more: https://www.hpjc.org/vision/

Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

What they do: “The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice partners with communities harmed by racially disproportionate pollution burdens and attendant climate vulnerabilities. In these partnerships, the Center builds the capacity of communities to respond to environmental threats and hazards through workshops that train community members.”

  • Provides technical assistance to community partners that focuses on building their environmental justice literacy and strengthening their participation in policy decisions. This includes: preparing environmental justice analyses and reports on proposed or existing developments requiring environmental permits; collecting toxicological and epidemiological data; advising on effective environmental remediation and community relocation; providing expert testimony in legal cases; and conducting community health surveys, community mapping using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and community environmental health profiles.
  • Trains community members to: monitor environmental hazards in their neighborhood; understand the risks of toxic exposures; research online environmental data; know their rights and the duties of governmental agencies; and develop strategic advocacy for policies and decisions that prevent and remedy unsafe environmental conditions.

Learn more: http://www.dscej.org/

We Act for Environmental Justice

What they do: “WE ACT’s mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices.”

  • Works to expand democratic participation among low-income residents and communities of color
  • Litigation and policy teams work to ensure that our local, state and federal environmental laws are administered justly and take legal action against environmental injustice
  • Research and assess whether new policy supports environmental justice

Learn more: https://www.weact.org/whatwedo/advocacy/

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