Environmental justice and the step to a more sustainable community through policy making

Background/Question/Methods Today the world faces critical concerns regarding environmental injustice. As communities strive for a sustainable environment they face environmental racism, economic crises, climate changes, social problems, and environmental degradation. For places like California where people of color are becoming the majority, there is a need for a multi-ethnic perspective when it comes to creating a new Green Economy movement. The goal was to develop a system for solving and preventing air and water pollution issues while promoting environmental protection and restoration.
Results/Conclusions To achieve a more sustainable environment there were certain measures that were taken in order to develop a comprehensive environmental movement that could mobilize communities and government. We organized over 3000 community members, trained leaders from all ages, created coalitions, educated and most importantly, gave a voice to the voiceless. By rallying all these community members we obtained the vote in our favor from the California State Lands Commission, California State Coastal Commission and Governor’s veto- the proposal of a Liquefied Natural Gas facility from the Largest Mining Corporation BHP Billiton. We saved our coast, air, community and ecosystems.