THE HISTORY OF
THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Environmental Justice Movement. And while the fight has been going on long before that, the movement’s origins trace back to the North Carolina PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) Protests of 1982 that served as a catalyst for communities of color working to address their unfair exposure to man-made environmental hazards. Following the North Carolina protests, a wave of environmental justice protests swept across communities of color throughout the Southeast US. This powerful movement continues today.
ABOUT
ABOUT
THE NEXT 40 CAMPAIGN
Timed to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the Environmental Justice Movement, The Next 40 campaign seeks to lift up the stories of people of color who are most impacted by environmental issues and those leading the work around environmental justice. Our mission is to spotlight the progress – and lack thereof – that has occurred in improving environmental conditions in communities of color since the movement began, and encourage more environmental activism within communities of color.
FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) is a community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life within the West Atlanta Watershed by protecting, preserving and restoring our community’s natural resources. WAWA represents African American neighborhoods in Northwest and Southwest Atlanta that are most inundated with environmental stressors, but are least represented at environmental decision-making tables.
The Descendants Project is an emerging organization committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in the Louisiana river parishes. The lands of the river parishes hold the intersecting histories of enslavement, settler colonialism, and environmental degradation.
Started by our dedicated and visionary leaders back in 2015, Menīkānaehkem has grown into an impactful Community Movement. We emphasize transparency in everything we do, setting bold goals and pursuing innovative strategies that target disparities we face. We are constantly growing and adapting to the changes of society. We invite you to learn more about how you can make an impact.