Environmental Justice

A $19.8 million EPA grant aimed at improving environmental health in Thomasville's Dewey City neighborhood was revoked under Trump's second presidency due to a crackdown on DEI programs. The grant, part of a $2 billion Biden-era initiative, was intended to address aging infrastructure and contaminants in a historically Black community. Environmental advocates argue the decision undermines public health for marginalized populations.

Residents in Boyle Heights are conducting environmental testing of the L.A. River and Lineage warehouse fire runoff, partnering with UCLA and Columbia University to analyze contaminants. The initiative addresses concerns about pollution impacts and health risks, particularly in communities with disproportionate environmental burdens.

Revitalize Community Development Corporation, which provides home remediations to manage asthma triggers for low-income families in Massachusetts, had its $1 million EPA grant terminated in 2025. The funding cut halted environmental justice programs addressing air pollution, asthma, and extreme heat in vulnerable communities, disrupting ongoing initiatives and leaving organizations scrambling for alternatives.

Karen Clark, Minnesota’s first openly lesbian legislative member, who served in the Minnesota House for 38 years, has died at 80. She passed away after a brief illness and was known for advancing environmental justice, passing workers’ right-to-know legislation, and supporting LGBTQ rights, including the 1993 Human Rights Act amendment and 2013 marriage equality law.

The city is developing its first Environmental Justice Element as part of the General Plan to address environmental and public health disparities in historically underserved neighborhoods, complying with California Senate Bill 1000 (SB-1000). This initiative aims to advance equity, public health, and environmental sustainability.

Community leaders in North Carolina are raising concerns about the environmental and health impacts of data centers, including water pollution linked to PFAS and corporate projects in lower-income communities. Residents like Carroll Olinger and Shaun Ingram highlight risks to public health and opposition to developments such as Amazon's $10 billion data center in Richmond County.

James Bruggers, an environmental reporter known for his work on polluting corporations and environmental justice, died at 68. He was recognized for his dedication and kindness in his field.

The American Parents Coalition (APC) accuses the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) of using federal funds to advance political agendas, including promoting 'environmental justice' and gender ideology through educational programs and reports. APC highlights NASEM's funding of groups like EcoRise, which teaches students about systemic racism and equity, and a 2023 workshop on transgender youth health as examples of ideological influence.