Tag: climate change

Written by Kate Saylor, CCAN’S NoVa New Leaf Volunteer

The Trump administration has chosen to recklessly eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the fabric of our federal government, and many businesses, large and small, are following suit. If only climate change would take a similar tactic and focus its efforts only on those with the means to respond to its devastating destruction, rather than taking a DEI approach by giving disadvantaged communities an equal (and often greater) taste of its wrath.

With the elimination of DEI, the administration aims to achieve more “merit-based” hires, but I fear that, as has historically been the case, hiring committees (made up of predominantly affluent white men) will hire candidates that look, sound, and feel familiar, creating a government that doesn’t understand what it’s like to grow up without wealth or privilege or with skin pigmentation that betrays one as “other.” This will be so incredibly dangerous during a time when, again, climate change does not follow the memo to target only the rich and privileged. Of course, it would be lovely for climate change to focus its devastation only on those who have, say, another house they can retreat to. Perhaps though, we could settle for it to target only those who have comprehensive home insurance, a personal vehicle or two, and excellent health insurance to cover the detrimental effects of wildfire smoke and other pollutants, heat-related risks, and even the impacts on mental health that climate change brings.

But it won’t. Climate change will not reserve its wrath for those who can afford to face it. Instead, it harms the poor, who for example, are more likely to buy houses built in areas more prone to flooding, who can’t afford to evacuate, and who don’t have access to health care when they’re impacted.  Communities of color often face higher health risks from environmental hazards (e.g., air pollution, traffic, contaminated water) and are more vulnerable to climate-related health effects due to racial and socioeconomic disparities, including lack of access to quality housing, education, and food.

Turning our backs on DEI will mean not only fewer job opportunities for intelligent, creative, qualified members of the LGBTQIA+ community but also less access for people with physical or mental disabilities. Climate change, however, is not giving up on its DEI pursuits. Those who identify as queer can still expect a more difficult time recovering from climate disasters. This may be because recovery efforts are often powered by churches and other nonprofits that sometimes turn away the LGBTQIA+ community and other minorities. Perhaps it goes without saying, but climate change also has no intention to stop targeting our community members with limited abilities. From evacuation services to recovery to maintaining support services during emergencies to everyday struggles with air quality, the negative impacts of climate change disproportionately harm people with disabilities.

My sister was in the hospital this fall on a ventilator. She has Downs Syndrome, and, we discovered, a very rare autoimmune disease. Because she was fighting for her life, she didn’t have to fight for saline at the time, but many others did because saline was in short supply after Hurricane Helene hit a critical manufacturer in North Carolina. Last week however, as she received life-saving treatment for her autoimmune disease, we were told that the treatment should end with a saline drip, but saline is still in short supply, so she couldn’t get it.

Eliminating DEI from the federal government eliminates the opportunity to cultivate a culture of listening to the voices of those most impacted by climate change. But here in our communities, we can still make a difference. By joining grassroots organizations like the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, we can amplify the voices of frontline communities, push for stronger policies, and advocate for a more just, sustainable future. Together, we can take concrete steps to reduce emissions, protect our environment, and ensure that those most affected by climate change have a seat at the table. Now is the time to act — our communities need us, and our planet depends on us. Get involved, stay informed, and help create real change!

Written by Kate Saylor, CCAN’S NoVa New Leaf Volunteer

As we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025, we honor the remarkable work of a leader who fought tirelessly for justice, equality, and the upliftment of marginalized communities. King’s advocacy for civil rights extended beyond racial equality; it encompassed economic justice, peace, and ultimately, environmental justice—a fight that remains just as urgent today. This year, however, the MLK Day celebration held an additional layer of significance. It coincided with the inauguration of President Donald Trump, a leader whose environmental policies often stand in stark opposition to the principles of climate justice. 

Yesterday marked a critical juncture in American history, providing an opportunity to revisit Dr. King’s vision of justice while grappling with the future of environmental justice in an era marked by growing opposition to climate action and environmental protections. While King’s words and actions emphasize the interconnection of all life, Trump’s track record reflects a stark disregard for the environment, often prioritizing corporate interests over the well-being of marginalized communities, especially those most vulnerable to environmental pollution. 

King famously said, “It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” These words resonate deeply when we consider the current state of environmental justice. Climate change and pollution disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color—those who are least responsible for the crisis but most affected by its consequences. Yet, under President Trump’s administration, the push for environmental protection is consistently undermined, leaving vulnerable populations even more at risk.

Dr. King’s fight for justice extended beyond racial and economic equality. He envisioned a world where everyone had access to a healthy and sustainable environment. His commitment to justice was holistic—emphasizing the connection between poverty, racism, and environmental degradation. The modern environmental justice movement, which advocates for protection from environmental harm for marginalized communities, draws from Dr. King’s understanding of justice as interconnected and inseparable from the fight for racial, economic, and social equity.

Yet, as we reflect on his legacy, we must confront the reality that President Trump’s administration has systematically rolled back environmental protections, prioritizing corporate interests over the health and well-being of the most vulnerable communities—communities Dr. King fought so hard to uplift. On his first day back as president, Trump signed an executive letter giving notice of the U.S. exit from the Paris Agreement, a global treaty seeking to combat the climate crisis. 

Dr. King’s Vision for Environmental Justice

Dr. King recognized that true justice was indivisible. In his speeches and actions, he highlighted the links between environmental harm and the struggles of the poor and people of color. In his 1967 speech, King called for systemic change, stating, “The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct, and immediate abolition of poverty.” He also acknowledged the disproportionate environmental burdens placed on marginalized communities, pointing out that pollution and ecological degradation often fell hardest on the poor, particularly communities of color. His words laid the foundation for today’s environmental justice movement, which advocates for equal protection from environmental hazards for all, with a particular focus on those most vulnerable.

Environmental Justice Under Trump’s Administration

Now, as President Trump enters his second term, the environmental landscape remains bleak for those who believe in the fight for a just and equitable future. Under Trump’s leadership, the federal government has rolled back crucial environmental protections, undermining efforts to confront climate change and safeguard vulnerable populations.

One example of this is the 2019 executive order that directed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ease restrictions on transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail. This decision put both the environment and public safety at risk, especially in communities already burdened by pollution and health risks. Many of the areas that would be affected by this policy are low-income and predominantly communities of color—groups that Dr. King tirelessly advocated for.

Thankfully, days before the inauguration, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned President Trump’s LNG by Rail Rule. In this instance, as in many others, corporate interests took precedence over the health and safety of the people Dr. King sought to protect. The Trump administration’s track record is a stark reminder of the ongoing need to defend environmental justice.

The Ongoing Fight for Environmental Justice

As we reflect on MLK Day 2025, it is clear that environmental justice remains a critical issue in the face of the climate crisis. Today, more than ever, we must continue to fight for Dr. King’s vision of justice, which encompasses the right to live in a healthy, sustainable environment. The rollback of protections like the 2019 LNG rail transport order represents just one piece of the puzzle in an administration that prioritizes fossil fuel interests over the needs of vulnerable communities. 

By making decisions that benefit the fossil fuel industry at the expense of environmental protections, Trump’s policies have exacerbated the injustices faced by those most vulnerable to environmental harm. Yet, despite these challenges, the fight for environmental justice continues.

King’s dream of a better, more equitable world—one in which all people can live in healthy, sustainable communities—remains alive in the work of countless activists, organizations, and communities across the globe. From grassroots movements fighting for clean water and air to calls for stronger regulations and sustainable energy solutions, the spirit of resistance against environmental injustice continues to thrive.

A Call to Action: Upholding Dr. King’s Legacy

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we must redouble our efforts to continue the fight for justice in all its forms. We must push back against harmful policies, and hold our leaders accountable for the future of our planet and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Consider taking action:

• Write to your representatives – As Maryland and Virginia state legislatures are deliberating on state-wide climate policies, demand stronger environmental protections, and challenge policies that harm communities.

• Support environmental justice organizations – Join or donate to groups like CCAN that are working on the frontlines to protect vulnerable communities from environmental harm.

• Get involved locally – Volunteer with local environmental or climate justice organizations to take part in grassroots efforts that push for change. You can register for CCAN’s Action teams here >>  

Dr. King’s words continue to inspire us: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” As we face the realities of the climate crisis we must remain united in the struggle for justice—today, tomorrow, and the next four years.