NJ Environmental Federation, working in coalition with diverse groups including the Coalition for Healthy Ports, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, and the Newark Environmental Commission, advocates for environmental justice - helping protect urban communities from the disproportionate impacts of pollution.

What is Environmental Justice?

First, we can start by looking at what is environmental injustice. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) affirms that urban areas are disproportionately impacted by a wide range of air toxics, contimanated soil and water. Diesel exhaust levels alone cause a tripling of the cancer risk in comparison to suburban areas. Unfortunately, this primarily affects people of color, low-income and working class communities.

For many Newark residents the environmental injustices that plague their city are as much linked to the political landscape as the unchecked industries of the past century and longer. Newark is home to the largest port on the east coast (3^rd in the nation), smelters, incinerators, hundreds of contaminated sites including some of the nation's most notorious superfund sites. The Ironbound and Weequahic Park neighborhoods experience some of the worst toxic exposures due to their proximity to the port and labyrinth of highways. 

Children living in these polluted communities are hardest hit. It affects their ability to learn, stay healthy and succeed in the world. Nationwide, 1 in 15 kids have asthma. Yet 1 in 4 school age children in our cities are asthmatic. A statewide study showed that Essex and Bergen Counties were #1 and #2 for asthma related mortality rates with a doubling of rates within minority populations. This not only impacts an individuals health and quality of life, but also the financial stresses of the family (i.e. lost work days and medical bills).

To that end, we are advocating for environmental justice, which affirms that all peoples should have an opportunity to live in a healthy environment.

Environmental Justice Campaigns

• Urban Environmental Institute
• Coalition for Healthy Ports
• Building a Sustainable Park in Newark
• Clean Air Campaign
• Additional EJ Campaigns (Browfields, Site Remediation, Urban Drinking Water, etc.)

 

Publications

• Environmental Justice Brochure
• Urban Environmental Institute Brochure
• Diesel Hot Spots: A Snapshot of Newark, New Jersey Report
  
• No Escape from Diesel Exhaust Report (CATF)
• Diesel Health in America - The Lingering Threat - NJ Impact Chart
• Diesel Health in America - The Lingering Threat - NJ Footnotes
• Diesel Emissions Reduction Resolution

Press Releases

• Lautenberg to Chair Senate Field Hearing on Toxic Chemicals and Children's Health, Oct 2010
• Newark City Councilmen Oppose Covanta's Plans for More Trash & Pollution, May 2010
• Environmentalists Announce Campaign Against Power Plant, October 2009
• NJEF Praises One-Year Anniversary of the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program, Oct 2009
• Research Confirms St. Lawrence Cement Plant Pollutes Nearby Camden Waterfront Neighborhood, August 2009
• Environmental Justice Activists Show More Needs To Be Done Against Dirty Diesel, July 2008
• Clean Energy Investment Provides Economic Boost, More Jobs in Newark and Elizabeth, June 2009
• Groups Call for DuPont to Remove PFOA Pollution from Drinking Water, Apr 2009
• National Report Reveals No Escape for Commuters from Diesel Danger, Feb 2008

Articles/News

• Clearing the Air at the Ports, Nov 2010
• EPA provides $1.1M grant for Camden environment, Oct 2010
• Broad Coalition Backs New House Green Jobs Bill to Empower America's Ports to Spur Economic Development, Enact and Safeguard Env, Aug 2010
• Clean Air...Good Jobs, June 2010
• Growing Clamor for Investigation into PSEG Power, June 2010
• Christie calls on Port Authority to take 360K N.Y. trash trucks off N.J. roads, May 2010
• South Orange Parks Designated 'Pesticide Free Zones', May 2010
• The Day: South Orange's Healthy Parks, May 2010
• Environmentalists endorse Rice, James for re-election to Newark city council, May 2010
• Clearing the Air at American Ports, Mar 2010
• Killing at the Seaport: Port Pollution a Silent Killer, Mar 2010
• NYC, Newark mayors endorse L.A.-style port truck programs, Oct 2009
• BMW pilot program loans Newark 10 electric cars, July 2009
• Giving Hope for Newark Youth, June 2009
• Kids Help Monitor Newark's Dirty Diesel Near Their School, Feb 2009

For additional information contact Kim Gaddy at 973-744-3005