Learning about Environmental Injustice on the Frontlines
On February 8th, members of the 色中色 Sustainability Champions and Sustainability Fellows programs joined (CBE) for a tour of Wilmington, a front-line community heavily impacted by multiple industrial pollution sources. The "Toxic Tour" exposed campus community members' to environmental justice issues in Wilmington, highlighted the realities of residents facing environmental hazards, and the important advocacy that CBE is doing in the community.
Communities for a Better Environment, founded in 1978, is a nationally recognized environmental justice organization whose mission is to empower low-income communities of color to fight against environmental racism and advocate for environmental justice. The field trip lasted approximately 3 hours and included visits to neighborhoods, schools, parks, and sports fields that are directly adjacent to oil drilling and oil refining operations, the port, and toxic material disposal facilities. The Office of Sustainability was honored to have had the opportunity to partner with CBE to host this unique educational field trip, which was sponsored by the President鈥檚 Commission on Sustainability.
Students, faculty, and staff who are part of the Sustainability Champions and Sustainability Fellows programs attended and gained insights into the realities of marginalized communities facing environmental injustices and health hazards every day. The tour was led by Alicia Rivera, a long-time community organizer for the Wilmington branch of CBE, as well as a local resident who shared first-hand accounts of health struggles faced by herself and her family members.
鈥淭he personal stories of Dulce, our tour guide and Wilmington resident, impacted me the most as they highlighted the specific and direct ways, she and her family are impacted by the fossil fuel industry and its activities,鈥 said Yareli Lopez, field trip participant, upon reflecting on the Toxic Tour.
She continued on to state, 鈥淭his tour has inspired me to continue to advocate for communities impacted by environmental injustice and take action.鈥
Learn more about the important work is doing and consider becoming a Sustainability Champion or Sustainability Fellow so you can take part in future educational field trips like this one.
