DeepSummary
The episode explores the Justice40 initiative, a federal program under the Biden administration that aims to direct 40% of the overall benefits of climate investments toward disadvantaged communities. It traces the origins of this idea back to environmental justice activism in California and New York, where similar policies were enacted at the state level. Interviews with activists and policymakers provide insights into the implementation challenges, such as defining 'disadvantaged communities' and ensuring equitable access to funding.
A key focus is on the role of grassroots organizing in shaping the Justice40 policy, highlighting the efforts of groups like PUSH Buffalo in New York. The episode also examines the complexities of measuring 'benefits' versus direct investments and the importance of addressing racial disparities in pollution exposure. Policymakers like Shalanda Baker from the Department of Energy share their perspectives on the transformative potential of Justice40 while acknowledging the difficulties of dismantling systemic oppression.
Ultimately, the episode underscores the need for continued activism and community engagement to fulfill the promise of Justice40. It emphasizes that laws alone are not enough and that real change will require sustained efforts to ensure disadvantaged communities can access the resources and opportunities provided by this initiative.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Justice40 initiative aims to direct 40% of the overall benefits of federal climate investments toward disadvantaged communities.
- The initiative has its roots in environmental justice activism and policies enacted at the state level in California and New York.
- Defining 'disadvantaged communities' and measuring 'benefits' rather than direct investments pose implementation challenges.
- Grassroots organizing and community engagement played a crucial role in shaping the Justice40 policy.
- Addressing racial disparities in pollution exposure and access to resources is a key focus of the initiative.
- Policymakers like Shalanda Baker see Justice40 as a transformative opportunity but acknowledge the difficulties of dismantling systemic oppression.
- Continued activism and efforts to ensure equitable access to funding are necessary to fulfill the promise of Justice40.
- Real-world examples, such as PUSH Buffalo's housing projects, illustrate the potential impact of the initiative.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It is a historic moment as a black woman really in the fight for justice, but in particular, climate justice.“ by Rawa Ghirmatzion
- “When President Biden took office in January of 2021, on day one, he issued a racial justice executive order, which was also transformative. And he said, every single federal agency needs to look at and examine their programs to see the situations in which underserved, underrepresented communities are not getting access to services.“ by Shalanda Baker
- “I think that Justice 40 is an entirely new way of thinking about rectifying current and past harms and really providing benefits and investments to communities who desperately need them.“ by Rachel Patterson
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Episode Information
A Matter of Degrees
Dr. Leah Stokes, Dr. Katharine Wilkinson
2/16/23
In his early days in office, President Biden took executive action to deliver environmental justice. Are those policies delivering justice in practice? This episode, we talk to EJ activists and federal policymakers about Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which directs 40% of the overall benefits of climate investments toward disadvantaged communities. We explore the decades of organizing that led to this moment, and what it will take now to fulfill the promise of the Justice40 Initiative.
Our special guest host Nikayla Jefferson is back for this episode! She speaks with former People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo) Executive Director Rahwa Ghirmatzion; Evergreen Action policy lead Rachel Patterson; and Shalanda Baker, Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), who leads the agency’s Justice40 implementation.
In this episode, Rachel cites the Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool that aims to identify “disadvantaged communities.” Nikayla names the nonprofit, Justice 40 Accelerator, which is helping community groups building capacity to access government funding. Check out the NY Renews coalition, also mentioned in this episode, and listen to another episode hosted by Nikayla, The Stages of Black Climate Grief.
Next time we follow Katharine on her journey to the Tongass, a vast temperate rainforest in Alaska and a massive carbon sink, alongside the people and creatures who call it home. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and don’t miss a single episode this season!