Working for Environmental Justice

The “Working for Environmental Justice” campaign is a continuation of FAN’s collaboration with the Franciscan Federation, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, and the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, advocating with people and communities disproportionately and negatively affected by environmental degradation and climate change. As Franciscans, we are committed to standing in solidarity with those working for fair and equal access to clean air, water, and land for all communities.

Our Next Webinar

Join us on January 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT for “Urban Heat Island Disparities in Richmond, VA” webinar. Richmond is one of many cities experiencing much higher temperatures in urban areas. These higher temperatures are caused by artificial “heat canyons” from tall buildings preventing air circulation and by high amounts of asphalt which absorb and radiate heat. The urban heat island effect will play a large role in the lives of Americans, as 89% of the U.S. population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050. This effect, in combination with redlining practices, causes communities of color and low-wealth to have less access to greenspaces that mitigate heat in urban areas. Since there is no escape from the urban heat in these communities, it is predicted that heat illnesses, such as asthma and COPD, will increase disproportionately in these areas, as compared to wealthier and more rural communities.

Watch our Latest Webinars

Click below to watch the recording of our webinar, “Cicero, IL: Underwater and Under Pressure,” recorded on Nov. 19, 2024. Featuring advocates from the Cicero, IL community Delia Barajas, Carmen Jimenez, and Sasha Adkins, we learned about the effects of intersecting environmental injustices and how one air polluter has escaped justice in the community. People of faith play a large role in mobilizing their communities to collective power to work for environmental justice.  The link to the petition to support Cicero in their environmental justice efforts is below.

How can I get involved?

Click the button below to sign up for The Current, our monthly environmental advocacy newsletter, which features relevant online action items, news headlines, and event listings.

• Each Fall, FAN holds a series of three webinars, focusing on “case studies” of environmental injustice from around the US. We have already begun our 2024 series! Find recordings in our archive below and don’t miss the next one – sign up for “the Current” at the link above to stay up-to-date. 
• Join an FJC! The best way to take loving action is with a community of fellow Franciscan activists in your community. Learn more here.

What are we doing now?

In 2024, FAN is focusing on environmental justice education. As well as continuing our annual Fall series of solidarity webinars, we presented our network with two workshops in Spring 2024 which demonstrated how to conduct online research to find cases of environmental injustice in your city or region, in addition to how to get in contact with local activists and advocates. We encourage you to join us by watching the recordings at the link provided below.

• 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.

• Archive: See our Youtube playlist for recordings of all our online programs since 2022.

• What have we done so far?

  Our online programs began in the Fall of 2022. Franciscan Action Network, together with the Franciscan Federation and the Franciscan Friars (OFM) US-6 JPIC Working Group, offered a 4-part webinar series on Confronting Environmental Racism, based on the Federation’s 2022-23 resolution to focus on this issue.

  In 2023, we focused attention on three regions in our nation – the Permian Basin and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico; St. James, Louisiana; and Chester, Pennsylvania – as case studies of ongoing environmental injustice. At three webinars, we learned from affected communities and local advocates in each region about their experiences, how they are advocating for change, and what we can do to amplify their efforts. Based on the guidance of the affected speakers of each webinar, we supported advocacy efforts at the national, state, and local levels.

  In 2024, in addition to continuing our annual Fall series of webinars, FAN expanded our program to include online demonstration-based workshops to help our network find cases of environmental injustice in their city or region, and how to find and listen to local activists and advocates that leads to constructive acts of solidarity.

Thank you to our sponsors