Environmental Justice and the Green Economy

A Vision Statement and Case Studies for Just and Sustainable Solutions

As we complete this report, the nation awaits action on a comprehensive climate change bill, and the Stimulus begins to inject billions of dollars into a troubled economy. For those of us who have been working at the intersection of sustainability and social justice – what we call environmental justice – this moment in history presents not only unprecedented challenges, but new opportunities. It offers an open door to policy makers, civic leaders, and funders to build new community capacities and practices that can result in greater sustainability and justice, at the same time. This report describes a shared vision for a just and sustainable economy, and highlights grassroots environmental justice successes in our communities. We hope to stimulate discussion and build consensus around the idea that sustainability and justice must be simultaneous results; that one simply cannot happen without the other.