Environmental Justice
Social, racial, and economic justice are inseparable from environmental justice.
Social, racial, and economic justice are inseparable from environmental justice. We cannot achieve our vision of a Great Lakes enjoyed by all when systemic racism is allowed to permeate our society unchecked. All people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin, have the right to live, work, and recreate in a clean and safe environment.
All Clevelanders deserve protection from environmental harms caused by power plants, lead paint, waste facilities, poor and unhealthy soils from urbanization and industrialization, and degraded air and water quality exacerbated by a warming climate. But history, and today’s reality, shows that Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) make up a majority of residents living close to hazardous facilities. It is a well-founded fact that, as a result, these communities suffer shorter life spans, hunger and little or no access to healthy food options, higher infant mortality, poorer health, diminished economic opportunities, and an overall degraded quality of life.
Authentic community engagement happens from the start of an idea to the development and implementation of policy. Incorporating neighborhood perspectives will position local policymakers to better address environmental challenges and realize environmental and quality of life goals for the Greater Cleveland community.
QUESTIONS TO ASK CANDIDATES:
Regular communication between local government and Cleveland residents is critical to improving our city and fixing environmental problems. If elected, how will you improve communication with community members to make sure Clevelanders have up-to-date information and know of opportunities to share input on important environmental problems in the city?
How will you work with community advocates to urge the state and federal government to increase funding for getting lead paint out of homes, supporting homeowners and landlords, replacing lead service lines, and implementing workforce training programs?