Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is the fight to address the disproportionate effects of environmental degradation and climate change on people of color, low-income communities and other marginalized groups.

The Power Shift Network views the fight for environmental justice as part of the larger fight for social justice. A social justice framework can unite our youth efforts with community groups protecting themselves from dirty industries, in a collaborative and diverse movement towards a clean and just energy future for all.

To increase the health and well-being of all people, we need to dismantle the systems of oppression that assign unearned privileges based on race, class, and gender. We need to provide solutions to our energy problems that everyone can participate in and everyone can benefit from, especially those who have suffered the most consequences as a result of our addiction to fossil fuels. It is in everyone’s interest to broaden and diversify the coalition of organizations working toward a clean energy future beyond the traditional “environmental” movement.

Please join us in building an inclusive and powerful movement towards justice.

Environmental Justice Programs & Projects

• In the fall of 2017, the Power Shift Network is launching Frontlines to Power—a training program to help prepare young climate leaders of color and from frontline communities to run for local office. Learn more about the program (and find out how to apply) here.
• Young climate leaders of color collaborated to build a comprehensive Anti-Oppression Resource Bank and Curriculum, designed to provide concrete tools for our members and allies who are looking for concrete ways to center principles of justice and equity in their work. Read this post introducing this important resource, and check out the full curriculum here.