FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 23, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: brian.phillips@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) introduced the Climate Justice Act of 2024, legislation that establishes a Climate Justice Working Group comprised of representatives from federal agencies, community organizations, cities, states, and indigenous nations with the mission of helping to guide the country’s just and equitable transition towards a clean, climate-resilient, zero-emission economy.

Despite communities of color and low-income communities contributing the least to environmental pollution and the climate crisis, they have long remained disproportionately affected by the worst impacts of climate change. Simultaneously, communities of color and low-income communities have also received the least amount of investment in clean-energy technologies and resilient infrastructure that protect against climate impacts and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Justice Act addresses these longstanding disparities by ensuring that the communities most impacted by climate change are able to influence the equitable transition to a green economy and federal investment in climate resistance.

“Investing in a clean energy future begins with confronting the many injustices that continue to harm the United States’ most underserved and overlooked communities,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “As we work to modernize America’s infrastructure for the challenges of our 21st Century world, we must ensure the frontline communities facing the worst impacts of the climate crisis are prioritized and protected. Through the Climate Justice Working Group established by this legislation, we will, at long last, address and amplify climate justice at the federal level. I am proud to be leading our nation’s charge towards an equitable transition to a zero-emission economy that centers human life and our pursuit of accountability.”

“Our Climate is proud to support the Climate Justice Act of 2024 from its inception at the New York State level to its reintroduction at the federal level. The bill is a meaningful step in ensuring the interests and expertise of frontline communities are at the heart of the federal government’s efforts towards a just, zero-emissions future for all,” said Joséphine Crespo Helm, Policy Analyst at Our Climate. 

“WE ACT for Environmental Justice is excited to be endorsing this legislation for the establishment of a Climate Justice Working Group. A core value of environmental justice is that communities should speak for themselves on their specific needs, and the issues they uniquely face. Through this bill, community leaders will have increased opportunities to contribute to environmental policy decisions that impact their lives. We are proud to be supporting a bill that protects our foundational tenets of public participation and community engagement, and look forward to advancing this bill through Congress,” said Astrid DuBois, Government Affairs Manager, WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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