Working for Environmental Justice

“We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”

-POPE FRANCIS, LAUDATO SI’ #139

The Working for Environmental Justice Campaign

The Franciscan Action Network first launch a “Working for Environmental Justice” Campaign in 2022. Each year, FAN provides a fall webinar series and relevant advocacy opportunities to impact change. The 2025 campaign and fall webinar series will focus on the “right to a healthy environment” and the Green Amendments Movement.

What is environmental justice?

Environmental justice is “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people” in environmental policies, procedures, and legislation (EPA). Environmental justice acknowledges that all people have the right to a healthful climate and environment, while recognizing that communities of color and/or low-wealth continue to suffer the disproportionate effects of environmental degradation due to systemic racism. A “just transition” to a sustainable future is essential; the construction of this future must be done in an inclusive manner that leaves no one behind. As Franciscans, we are called to stand with communities on the front lines and work for environmental justice.

In 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/76/L.75 recognizing the universal human right to a healthy and sustainable environment (R2HE). According to Franciscans International, this encompasses clean air, safe climate, safe and sufficient water, healthy and sustainable food, non-toxic environments to live, work, study, and play, and healthy biodiversity and ecosystems. Read more in Franciscans International’s September 2024 publication, “The Right to a Healthy Environment: From recognition to implementation”.

Green Amendments Campaign (2025)

Stay tuned for more information about FAN’s Fall 2025 environmental justice webinar series.

Past “Working for Environmental Justice” Campaigns (2022, 2023, and 2024)

Since 2022, FAN has hosted a series of educational webinars about prominent cases of environmental injustice, with speakers from the affected communities and local advocates. We encourage you to learn more about environmental injustice in the U.S. by watching our past webinars.

 How can I get involved?

Keep Current on Creation Care!

Do you want to help protect our national forests? Do you want to work for environmental justice? Do you want to defeat plastics pollution? FAN curates the latest news for you! Sign-up for The Current, FAN’s monthly environmental advocacy newsletter, which features relevant online action items, news headlines, and event listings. 

Join a Francaiscan Justice Circle (FJC)!

The best way to take loving action is with a community of fellow Franciscan activists in your community. Learn more here.

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