Washington (April20, 2022) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.2022) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ActFiscal Year 2022 Appropriations and COVID-19 Recovery and Response Packages is distributed. It is now more important than ever that the federal government have an effective tool to map, monitor and measure climate and economic hardships at a community level.
The letteralsois signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.),BernieSanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), andBenCardin (D-Md.).
A lot is riding on the success of the Justice40 Initiative. Continuous engagement with advocates, community experts, and stakeholders will be crucial to developing a tool that works.TheSenatorsSend a letter to Brenda Mallory, CEQChair The devastating effects of climate change have a direct link to health, economic and racial injustice. All Americans are now facing severe and frequent hurricanes, destructive wildfires, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. But Black, Brown, or Indigenous communities are also affected by environmental racism. The effects of pollution from fossil fuel combustion, toxic chemical spills and water contamination on every aspect of life, from birth weight to education, are all part and parcels of the environmental damage. These communities were also historically excluded from the resources required to adapt to climate impacts, address past harms, build a clean future. Justice40 is an example of this tool.Initiative is key to addressing these inequities.
The letter, which was developed in consultations with environmental justice advocates, experts and advocates, includes recommendations for CEQ’s ongoing work to improve and refine this tool. These include the adoption of more metrics that show the interrelationship between race, climate vulnerability, transit and clean energy, as well as the development of a plan for public involvement and Tribal nation consultation. The letter also recommends the creation an interagency taskforce on Environmental Justice mapping and an annually data audit.
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