Our Climate Justice campaign focuses on protecting rural low-income racialized communities from the harmful impacts of oil and gas extraction.
We work at the local and state levels to influence climate policy in ways that center the voices of frontline communities and prevent further environmental harm. Our approach to climate action challenges systems that have historically placed the greatest burdens on communities of color, and instead promotes solutions that are equitable, community-led, and sustainable. At the heart of this campaign is a commitment to a worker and community-led transition that promotes shifting away from fossil fuels through strategies that support workers and communities in building a regenerative, more resilient economy. We advocate for strong protections against the health impacts of oil and gas extraction, especially in Kern and Tulare Counties. We oppose the expansion of harmful false solutions like hydrogen and carbon capture that threaten to deepen environmental injustice. This campaign is about creating long-term, structural change that prioritizes public health, community leadership, and climate justice for all.
Projects
Worker and Community-Led Just Transition
We work toward a just and equitable transition for communities & workers to build a regenerative economy. Together with local community partners, we developed “The People’s Plan: A High Road Vision for Kern County” and will begin to implement priority projects identified by frontline communities.
Oil & Gas
We protect Kern communities and residents from the negative health impacts associated with oil and gas extraction and refining by defending 3,200-foot statewide setbacks for new oil/gas drilling well permits and addressing health impacts from active oil wells and idle/orphaned wells.
Climate Dead Ends
We aim to prevent expansion of and reduce harm from climate dead ends (hydrogen, carbon capture & sequestration, etc), especially in environmental justice communities in Kern and Tulare Counties and in solidarity with other EJ communities.