WE WORK FOR FAIRNESS, EQUITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY: CLIMATE JUSTICE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Today, we all want to know what is in our food and where it comes from. Who makes our clothes and where are they made? And perhaps most importantly – what are the true climate impacts of the things that we do and support? So, in 2022, The Lands Council recognized this need in the Spokane community and created a new staff position: Climate Justice Program Director.

The Lands Council works with diverse community partners to develop equitable solutions to our region’s unique challenges and center the experiences of those most impacted.

Our Climate Justice program focuses on policies related to regional climate change effects and mitigation such as public utility clean energy plans, city and county sustainability ordinances, statewide house bills with climate effect considerations, fossil fuel infrastructure proposals, and more.

Spokane has taken steps towards addressing climate change and promoting climate justice. In 2020, the city adopted a Climate Action Plan with goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and improve resilience to climate impacts. The plan includes strategies such as increasing energy efficiency, promoting sustainable transportation, and engaging with communities to address equity and justice in climate action efforts.

Climate change is threatening our entire Spokane community, but communities of color and lower incomes are experiencing the effects at a disproportionate rate. Exposure to toxic pollutants also typically hits low-income communities and communities of color the hardest.

From environmental activism, like planting trees in low canopy neighborhoods, to pushing for policy change, people across the Inland Northwest are standing up for clean water, clean food, and clean air. By participating in efforts to decrease global warming and its effects on human health, we can do our part to fight the climate crisis in our beloved Spokane.