"Organizing is a skilled craft; that is people-centered and based on coming to common values & goals." - Bob Bingaman, National Organizing Director In the past, I've worked with many social justice and environmental organizations, but my first day of "Sierra Club Organizing Training" in Oakland, CA reassured me that I was in the right … Continue reading From Protest to Power: Day 1 of Building Grassroots Community Power with Sierra Club
Category: Environmentalism
The #ActOnClimate Tour is coming to Detroit!
When you think about climate what images play in your head? Mostly you think about distant lands with issues of unstable climates and animals who die because of pollution. The reality is much different. The facts paint a clearer picture: Coal plants emit harmful carbon pollution. Eighty-six percent of African Americans (6 in 10) live … Continue reading The #ActOnClimate Tour is coming to Detroit!
Empowering a New Generation for a Stronger Economy & Ecosystem
Building the youth movement – "At the recent Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference, the BlueGreen Alliance was proud to join NRDC in cohosting a Youth Climate Caucus in order to encourage young environmental and labor activists to join the movement to Repair America." -(Huffington Post) When it comes to environmental justice, it's about ensuring low-income, communities of color have … Continue reading Empowering a New Generation for a Stronger Economy & Ecosystem
Lessons from Social Justice Mission in Japan
Dorthea Thomas is a graduating senior at Eastern Michigan University and upcoming Graduate Student at Marygrove College in Detroit, MI with a interest in pursuing a Master of Science in Social Justice with a concentration in Theology. She is also currently an Environmental and Climate Justice Youth Co-Lead with the National Association with the Advancement of Colored People.
The Shift: Women of Color in the Green Economy
Equality, Equity, and Environmental Justice! In 2013, we can expect a shift in politics, education, and our economy. As a social entrepreneur, one of my deepest passions is to help develop new innovative ideas and strategies to help combat some of the world's most challenging problems. Recently, I've created an organization to do just that. … Continue reading The Shift: Women of Color in the Green Economy
Hurricane Isaac Relief with Red Cross
When Hurricane Isaac hit the Gulf Coast, As the NAACP Environmental Justice Youth Ambassador for Michigan, I volunteered with Red Cross and helped put together an action plan that bridged a partnership that has been in the process of development for years. Past events have shown African American communities are disproportionately and increasingly at significant … Continue reading Hurricane Isaac Relief with Red Cross
Michigan State Conference Town Hall to Promote Clean Energy
On September 14, 2012, the NAACP Michigan State Conference officially announced their “Your Energy, Your Power!” campaign to increase Michigan’s renewable energy standards to 25 percent by the year 2025. The “Your Energy, Your Power!” Town Hall, which took place at the UAW- Chrysler National Training Center in Detroit, MI, featured a prestigious panel of NAACP … Continue reading Michigan State Conference Town Hall to Promote Clean Energy
Learning about Detroit’s Soil with Green Eyes
Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) came out to teach various Detroit Community Leaders about the environmental history our magnificent city holds. Recently, the Mayor of Detroit- Dave Bing, has incorporated the "Building, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department" (BSEED) into functions of the Department of Environmental Affairs. Their mission <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><em>is to safegaurd public … Continue reading Learning about Detroit’s Soil with Green Eyes
The Importance of enforcing Carbon Pollution Standards
As the new NAACP Michigan State Conference- Environmental & Climate Justice Ambassador, I'm a strong advocate of conservation and sustainability management. If the Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants are enforced, this could significantly reduce mercury, soot and smog pollution, announcing historic new emissions standards that combined could save 46,000 lives a year. My grandfather had … Continue reading The Importance of enforcing Carbon Pollution Standards
Contacting Congress about the effects of Air Pollution in Detroit
In March 2012, I expressed concerns about the amount of air pollution in Detroit due to coal-fired plants to my U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. In her response, she referenced the Clean Air Act that was passed in 1970. This legislation established funding for the study and the cleanup of air pollution.The 1990 Clean Air Act is … Continue reading Contacting Congress about the effects of Air Pollution in Detroit
