Journalism and the Environmental Movement: Amplifying Voices Through Local Action

In Cleveland and across the country, decades of deliberately racist policies and planning decisions have caused tremendous environmental harm to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Disproportionate exposure to air and water pollution, climate change (flooding, high heat days) and lead exposure translate to higher rates of asthma, infant mortality, lead poisoning and other life-threatening comorbidities. The COVID-19 pandemic has only underscored this reality, where BIPOC communities are three times as likely as their white neighbors to be infected by the coronavirus and nearly twice as likely to die from it, according to data from the CDC analyzed by The New York Times.\r\n\r\nRacial injustice, environmental injustice and the health of our democracy are inextricably linked. However, communities are not powerless to change their circumstances and confront environmental and racial injustices.\r\n\r\nSo how can nonprofit organizations, journalists, and the philanthropic sector come together to support environmental justice reporting projects?\r\n\r\nJoin us for a virtual forum as we discuss a new, innovative initiative that leverages the power of the local news ecosystem to spotlight environmental justice narratives, stories and solutions led by BIPOC leaders, organizations, and residents.