While climate change and air pollution are threats to everyone, the impacts are not felt equally. Communities of color and low-income communities face the greatest risk because they are hit “first and worst.” This inequitable system is not a coincidence. Systemic racism has created practices that force minority families to live in places that are more susceptible to toxic air pollution. This can lead to illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, and cancer, and additional disease.
Communities of color and low-income communities are also hit harder by climate crises such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather events.
Together, we fight for environmental justice and equity.
JUNETEENTH: MOMS READ THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
Moms Clean Air Force honors the significance of Juneteenth, a pivotal milestone in American history, through a special video reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
PROGRAMS
EcoMadres brings Latina moms together to address issues of clean air, climate, and toxics that affect the health of Latino children and families.
Community Health Equity is a climate and clean air campaign dedicated to advocacy around environmental injustice in Black communities. Moms Clean Air Force stands with impacted communities and supports the fight for clean air and climate solutions to promote healthy children and healthy communities.
Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted by pipelines, mines, waste incinerators, and other polluting industries that poison the air and water. Moms Clean Air Force is committed to working across the country to address the threats to the ways of life and health of Indigenous families.
RESOURCES
Extreme Heat and Latino Communities
Indigenous People and Air Pollution in the United States
Cómo la contaminación por diésel afecta su salud
Cómo las operaciones del petróleo y del gas afectan la salud de su bebé
Cómo el cambio climático afecta al asma
La contaminación por partículas
y su salud
El calor extremo y
las comunidades latinas
Los impactos del calor extremo sobre la salud
68% of Latinos
in the U.S. live in areas
that do not meet federal air
quality standards
Over 1 Million
African Americans live
within one mile of
oil and gas operations
Asthma Rates
in Native American and tribal
populations are almost double
the national average
Why Justice in Every Breath?
Every day, we see examples of the living breath being taken from people in communities of color. This is not the equitable and just legacy we want to leave for our children. As mothers, it’s our job to teach, lead, and promise better for the next generation. For this reason, we
- VOW to stand against environmental racism;
- VOW to stand with communities disproportionately affected by climate change and air pollution; and
- VOW to inform your community, family, and friends about these issues so that we can collectively demand environmental justice in our communities.
No matter the color of their skin, everyone has a right to breathe clean air, and that right is a civil right for all.
For More Information
Please contact us for more information about our Environmental Justice programs:
Health Equity and Faith Force:
Almeta Cooper, acooper@momscleanairforce.org
EcoMadres:
Carolina Peña, cpena@momscleanairforce.org
Media Contacts:
Sasha Tenenbaum, stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org
Sasha McBride, smcbride@momscleanairforce.org