Our Core Principles

Our environmental justice work is grounded in the Principles of Environmental Justice, the Bali Principles of Climate Justice, and the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. These frameworks guide our commitment to equity, inclusion, and sustainability, ensuring that marginalized communities are at the forefront of the fight for a just and sustainable world.

  • Principles of Environmental Justice

    WE, THE PEOPLE OF COLOR, gathered together at this multinational People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, to begin to build a national and international movement of all peoples of color to fight the destruction and taking of our lands and communities, do hereby re-establish our spiritual interdependence to the sacredness of our Mother Earth; to respect and celebrate each of our cultures, languages and beliefs about the natural world and our roles in healing ourselves; to ensure environmental justice; to promote economic alternatives which would contribute to the development of environmentally safe livelihoods; and, to secure our political, economic and cultural liberation that has been denied for over 500 years of colonization and oppression, resulting in the poisoning of our communities and land and the genocide of our peoples, do affirm and adopt these Principles of Environmental Justice:

    1. Environmental Justice affirms the sacredness of Mother Earth, ecological unity and the interdependence of all species, and the right to be free from ecological destruction.
    2. Environmental Justice demands that public policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all peoples, free from any form of discrimination or bias.
    3. Environmental Justice mandates the right to ethical, balanced and responsible uses of land and renewable resources in the interest of a sustainable planet for humans and other living things.
    4. Environmental Justice calls for universal protection from nuclear testing, extraction, production and disposal of toxic/hazardous wastes and poisons and nuclear testing that threaten the fundamental right to clean air, land, water, and food.
    5. Environmental Justice affirms the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self-determination of all peoples.
    6. Environmental Justice demands the cessation of the production of all toxins, hazardous wastes, and radioactive materials, and that all past and current producers be held strictly accountable to the people for detoxification and the containment at the point of production.
    7.  Environmental Justice demands the right to participate as equal partners at every level of decision-making, including needs assessment, planning, implementation, enforcement and evaluation.
    8.  Environmental Justice affirms the right of all workers to a safe and healthy work environment without being forced to choose between an unsafe livelihood and unemployment. It also affirms the right of those who work at home to be free from environmental hazards.
    9.  Environmental Justice protects the right of victims of environmental injustice to receive full compensation and reparations for damages as well as quality health care.
    10. Environmental Justice considers governmental acts of environmental injustice a violation of international law, the Universal Declaration On Human Rights, and the United Nations Convention on Genocide.
    11. Environmental Justice must recognize a special legal and natural relationship of Native Peoples to the U.S. government through treaties, agreements, compacts, and covenants affirming sovereignty and self-determination.
    12. Environmental Justice affirms the need for urban and rural ecological policies to clean up and rebuild our cities and rural areas in balance with nature, honoring the cultural integrity of all our communities, and provided fair access for all to the full range of resources.
    13. Environmental Justice calls for the strict enforcement of principles of informed consent, and a halt to the testing of experimental reproductive and medical procedures and vaccinations on people of color.
    14. Environmental Justice opposes the destructive operations of multi-national corporations.
    15. Environmental Justice opposes military occupation, repression and exploitation of lands, peoples and cultures, and other life forms.
    16. Environmental Justice calls for the education of present and future generations which emphasizes social and environmental issues, based on our experience and an appreciation of our diverse cultural perspectives.
    17. Environmental Justice requires that we, as individuals, make personal and consumer choices to consume as little of Mother Earth’s resources and to produce as little waste as possible; and make the conscious decision to challenge and reprioritize our lifestyles to ensure the health of the natural world for present and future generations.

    The Proceedings to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit are available from the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice, 475 Riverside Dr. Suite 1950, New York, NY 10115.

    Source

  • Bali Principles of Climate Justice

    Preamble

    We, representatives of people’s movements, Indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, and citizens’ groups gathered in Bali, Indonesia, on 29 August 2002, during the historic World Summit on Sustainable Development, affirm the following Bali Principles of Climate Justice:

    Whereas the Earth and all life on it is sacred and inextricably linked to the survival of all species, and that the natural balance must be maintained for the continued existence of life on Earth;

    Whereas the impacts of climate change threaten the existence and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, marginalized peoples and others in the global South and North, the majority of whom are impoverished and disadvantaged by unequal relations of power, and the majority of whom are historically least responsible for climate change;

    Whereas unsustainable production and consumption practices, especially in industrialized countries, are the primary contributors to climate change, and are driving the continued extraction and exploitation of natural resources and people, particularly in developing countries;

    Whereas climate change is a rights issue and affects fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, security, food, water, housing, land, and a safe environment;

    Whereas the Kyoto Protocol and other international agreements have failed to recognize the centrality of equity, justice, and the rights of vulnerable communities in addressing the global climate crisis;

    Whereas market-based mechanisms, such as emissions trading and carbon offset schemes, commodify the Earth’s atmosphere, promote the continued overconsumption of resources, and fail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at source;

    Whereas the voices of marginalized communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and local communities, are often excluded from decision-making processes on climate change at local, national, and international levels;

    Whereas sustainable, community-driven solutions, including the protection of Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems, offer viable alternatives to industrialized models of development and climate change solutions;

    Whereas the responsibility for curbing climate change must be borne primarily by those countries, corporations, and institutions responsible for its generation, rather than by impoverished people and nations least responsible for its causes;

    Whereas we recognize the historical responsibility of industrialized countries for the climate crisis, due to overconsumption and pollution, and the ecological debt owed to developing countries, especially for the disproportionate impacts of climate change on their ecosystems, communities, and economies;

    Whereas we affirm the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to their lands, territories, resources, and livelihoods, and to resist the destruction caused by climate change and other environmental impacts;

    Whereas we affirm the rights of women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to participate fully and equally in decision-making at all levels on issues related to climate change and sustainable development;

    Whereas we affirm the need for a just transition from unsustainable production and consumption patterns towards more sustainable models that promote equity, justice, and environmental integrity;

    Whereas we recognize the importance of addressing the root causes of climate change, including systemic economic, social, and environmental injustices, and the need to fundamentally transform the global economy and relations of power;

    Whereas we affirm the responsibility of governments, international institutions, and corporations to take immediate and effective action to mitigate climate change, prevent further environmental destruction, and protect the rights and livelihoods of those most affected by climate change;

    Whereas we recognize the need for solidarity and cooperation among peoples, movements, and organizations globally to address the challenges posed by climate change and to work towards climate justice;

    Therefore, in furtherance of the above, we adopt the following Bali Principles of Climate Justice:

    1. Affirm the sacredness of Mother Earth, ecological unity and the interdependence of all species, and the right to be free from ecological destruction.

    2. Affirm the right to self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and the right to sovereignty over our lands, territories, waters, and natural resources.

    3. Affirm the right of all peoples to secure access to the commons, such as land, air, water, and food, for their sustenance and livelihoods.

    4. Affirm the right of Indigenous Peoples and affected communities to represent and speak for themselves, consistent with their right to self-determination, and to ensure their meaningful participation in all decision-making processes and forums on climate change and environmental issues at all levels.

    5. Affirm that climate justice must embody the right to gender and social equity.

    6. Affirm the need for climate justice to be defined and led by those most affected by climate change, including women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and marginalized communities.

    7. Affirm that corporate globalization and the expansion of the global economy are significant contributors to climate change and the degradation of ecosystems, and that human rights and the environment must take precedence over unjust trade, investment, and finance agreements, rules, and practices.

    8. Affirm the need for a just transition to sustainable economies and societies, which prioritize clean energy, social equity, and environmental integrity.

    9. Affirm that polluting countries, corporations, and institutions have the duty to mitigate climate change and repair the damage caused by their activities, including through the provision of financial, technological, and other resources to affected communities and countries.

    10. Affirm the right of future generations to inherit a healthy planet and the responsibility of current generations to uphold that right.

    11. Affirm that climate justice requires a shift from unsustainable, consumption-driven economic systems and patterns of production to sustainable systems based on ecological integrity, social equity, and the fulfillment of basic human needs.

    12. Affirm the importance of indigenous and local knowledge, wisdom, and practices in providing solutions to climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

    13. Affirm that militarism is incompatible with climate justice, and that military interventions and conflicts exacerbate environmental destruction and social inequality.

    14. Affirm the right to sustainable development, as recognized by the Rio Declaration and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with an emphasis on the needs and rights of the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

    15. Affirm the need to recognize and address the root causes of climate change, including social, economic, and political inequities, and to advocate for the redistribution of power, resources, and wealth in order to achieve climate justice.

    16. Affirm the need for solutions to climate change to focus on equitable and sustainable development, prioritizing renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and the equitable distribution of resources.

    17. Affirm the need for international, national, and local climate change policies and agreements to be transparent, inclusive, and accountable to those most affected by climate change, particularly Indigenous Peoples, women, and marginalized communities.

    18. Affirm that climate change and environmental degradation are not just scientific and technical issues but are deeply social, economic, political, and cultural issues, requiring systemic changes and community-led solutions.

    19. Affirm the need for solidarity between movements fighting for climate justice, workers’ rights, human rights, women’s rights, Indigenous rights, and social justice, to address the common challenges posed by corporate globalization, environmental degradation, and climate change.

    20. Affirm the need for immediate action to halt deforestation, land degradation, and the exploitation of natural resources, and to promote reforestation, soil regeneration, and the sustainable management of ecosystems.

    21. Affirm that climate change is a global problem that requires global cooperation and solidarity, with the responsibility for addressing it borne primarily by the richest countries, corporations, and institutions.

    22. Affirm the right of all peoples to participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and actions related to climate change, and to ensure that these policies and actions are consistent with the principles of equity, justice, and environmental integrity.

    23. Affirm the need to protect and promote biodiversity and ecosystems, recognizing their critical role in mitigating and adapting to climate change and ensuring the survival of future generations.

    24. Affirm the right of communities to resist and reject policies and practices that exacerbate climate change, environmental destruction, and social inequities, and to advocate for alternative models of development and social organization based on equity, justice, and sustainability.

    25. Affirm the need for climate justice to be rooted in the protection of human rights, social equity, and environmental integrity, and to reject market-based mechanisms that commodify the Earth’s atmosphere and fail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at source.

    26. Affirm the right to food sovereignty, recognizing the fundamental role of sustainable agriculture and local food systems in addressing climate change, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring the well-being of communities.

    27. Affirm the responsibility of governments, corporations, and international institutions to take immediate and effective action to mitigate climate change, prevent further environmental destruction, and protect the rights and livelihoods of those most affected by climate change, particularly Indigenous Peoples, women, and marginalized communities.

    Source

  • Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing

    Activists Meet on Globalization

    On December 6-8, 1996, forty people of color and European-American representatives met in Jemez, New Mexico, for the “Working Group Meeting on Globalization and Trade.” The Jemez meeting was hosted by the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice with the intention of hammering out common understandings between participants from different cultures, politics, and organizations. The following “Jemez Principles” for democratic organizing were adopted by the participants.

    1. Be Inclusive
      If we hope to achieve just societies that include all people in decision-making and assure that all people have an equitable share of the wealth and the work of this world, then we must work to build that kind of inclusiveness into our own movement. This requires more than tokenism; it cannot be achieved without diversity at the planning table, in staffing, and in coordination. It may delay achievement of other important goals, and it will require discussion, hard work, patience, and advance planning. It may involve conflict, but through this conflict, we can learn better ways of working together. It’s about building alternative institutions, movement building, and not compromising to be accepted into the anti-globalization club.

    2. Emphasis on Bottom-Up Organizing
      To succeed, it is important to reach out into new constituencies and to reach within all levels of leadership and membership bases of the organizations already involved in our networks. We must be continually building and strengthening a base that provides our credibility, our strategies, mobilizations, leadership development, and the energy for the work we must do daily.

    3. Let People Speak for Themselves
      We must be sure that relevant voices of people directly affected are heard. Ways must be provided for spokespersons to represent and be responsible to the affected constituencies. It is important for organizations to clarify their roles, who they represent, and to ensure accountability within our structures.

    4. Work Together in Solidarity and Mutuality
      Groups working on similar issues with compatible visions should consciously act in solidarity, mutuality, and support each other’s work. In the long run, a more significant step is to incorporate the goals and values of other groups with your own work in order to build strong relationships. For example, it is more important that labor unions and community economic development projects include the issue of environmental sustainability in their own strategies, rather than just lending support to environmental organizations. Communication, strategies, and resource sharing are critical to help us see our connections and build on these.

    5. Build Just Relationships Among Ourselves
      We need to treat each other with justice and respect, both on an individual and an organizational level, in this country and across borders. Defining and developing “just relationships” will be a process that won’t happen overnight. It must include clarity about decision-making, sharing strategies, and resource distribution. There are clearly many skills necessary to succeed, and we need to determine how those with different skills can coordinate and be accountable to one another.

    6. Commitment to Self-Transformation
      As we change societies, we must change from operating on the mode of individualism to community-centeredness. We must “walk our talk.” We must embody the values that we say we’re struggling for, and we must be justice, peace, and community.

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