350 Responds to Jay Inslee's "Community Climate Justice" Plan

This morning, Democratic presidential candidate Jay Inslee unveiled his "Community Climate Justice" Plan in front of the Marathon Oil Refinery in Michigan's most polluted ZIP code: 48217 in Detroit. He was joined by members of the community, who are directly facing the impacts of fossil fuel pollution. In Inslee's speech he acknowledged the history of environmental racism and economic exclusion, and spoke about the disproportionate harm that climate change and pollution cause to low-income communities and communities of color, as well as the need for supporting community-driven solutions and empowering local leadership for a just transition. His plan includes implementing an 'equity screen' on all major federal climate, energy, environmental spending and policy making, reshuffling the Council of Environmental Quality to focus on justice, and guaranteeing $1.2 trillion in federal investments to frontline communities facing the burden of pollution, income inequality, and climate impacts over the next decade.

350.org North America Director Tamara Toles O'Laughlin made the following statement:

"We are heartened to see Jay Inslee doing the important work of relating the climate crisis to environmental justice, economic equity, and the legacy of American racism. Naming these intersecting realities is the first step to creating truly bold plans of action. In order to tackle the crisis of climate change and transition away from dirty fossil fuels to 100% renewables, candidates must prioritize investment in the communities whose health and safety have been at risk for decades. This plan is only viable if federal and local governments work in partnership with local communities to support community-driven solutions and resilience practices.

"This plan puts all Presidential contenders on notice of the levels of consideration we expect. It's time to unapologetically and ambitiously tackle climate crisis by addressing the inequality and structural racism. We appreciate Inslee's signal here, and expect such commitments to be implemented in the first 100 days in office."