{"id":269880,"date":"2025-11-17T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/?p=269880"},"modified":"2025-11-12T09:36:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T14:36:43","slug":"sacramento-environmental-justice-coalition-fights-for-cleaner-air-and-health-equity-in-the-citys-most-marginalized-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/sacramento-environmental-justice-coalition-fights-for-cleaner-air-and-health-equity-in-the-citys-most-marginalized-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacramento Environmental Justice Coalition fights for cleaner air and health equity in the city\u2019s most marginalized communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although Sacramento, California is currently ranked as one of the country\u2019s most polluted cities, a coalition of advocates and grassroots leaders is determined to change that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to Sacramento\u2019s location in a mountain-locked valley, the pollutants produced from the city\u2019s high amounts of traffic and industries become trapped, consistently earning it a top spot on the<\/span> American Lung Association\u2019s list<\/span><\/a> for poor air quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Historically, racist policies have disproportionately exposed Sacramento\u2019s marginalized populations \u2013 low-income residents, people of color, the elderly, immigrants and people with disabilities \u2013 to higher levels of pollutants for generations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Redlining and other discriminatory practices have forced minority communities into neighborhoods zoned for industries and major freeways, exposing residents to toxic emissions linked to various health problems, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and reproductive issues.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Faith-based, community-led grassroots action<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

With seed funding from The California Endowment, the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and the Latino Leadership Council (LLC), the<\/span> Sacramento Environmental Justice Coalition<\/span><\/a> (Sac-EJC) promotes environmental equity through grassroots efforts grounded in universal faith-based teachings \u2013 like Pope Francis\u2019s 2015 encyclical,<\/span> Laudato Si<\/span><\/i>\u2019<\/span><\/a> (A Letter to the World on Caring for Creation).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a call-to-action to address the destruction of the environment,\u201d said Sac-EJC Lead Community Organizer Herman Barahona. \u201c[We have] to pay attention to what\u2019s happening to the poor and marginalized \u2013 the ones bearing the brunt of this environmental crisis.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since 2021, Sac-EJC has held one-on-one conversations, house meetings and workshops in local schools, nonprofits and churches to educate residents on environmental injustices and develop local leadership to advocate for environmental justice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the heart of Sac-EJC’s mission is the belief that those most impacted should lead the fight for change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur board is made up of low-income residents, immigrants, formerly unhoused, foster youth, people on Section 8, people who have experienced rough conditions in these neighborhoods \u2013 they are our teachers,\u201d said Barahona.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental justice efforts in Sacramento\u2019s marginalized communities<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

As an industrial hub, Sacramento\u2019s many truck depots pose an environmental threat to nearby low-income neighborhoods.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe started campaigning for air quality monitoring, leading to millions of dollars being invested by regulators and policymakers,\u201d Barahona explained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By December 2025, 30 air quality monitors will be installed near the ten largest truck yards. Sac-EJC also plans to create expanded tree canopies and green spaces to promote natural air filtration and better temperature regulation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Creating a blueprint for lasting change<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

With extensive partner support across four counties, Sac-EJC is exploring the possibility of establishing a community development corporation (CDC) in the Sacramento Valley \u2013 what Barahona called a \u201cCDC desert.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Together with groups like LLC, the Sierra Business Council and other allies of Rise Economy, Sac-EJC raised $50,000 for a feasibility study to guide this future work. The study will lay the groundwork for a CDC that offers lasting solutions to decades of systemic challenges.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn an area long impacted by the Gold Rush, redlining and environmental damage to our air and water, that\u2019s how we build a people-oriented mechanism for the future,\u201d said Barahona.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nicole Rothstein is a Contributing Writer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Environmental Justice Coalition.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Although Sacramento, California is currently ranked as one of the country\u2019s most polluted cities, a coalition of advocates and grassroots leaders is determined to change that. Due to Sacramento\u2019s location in a mountain-locked valley, the pollutants produced from the city\u2019s high amounts of traffic and industries become trapped, consistently earning it a top spot on 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