Mission:

The goal of EJ VOICE is to build economic, social and environmental justice (EJ) in New Jersey's urban communities facing the disproportionate impacts of pollution. This is an initiative of Clean Water Fund, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working with diverse constituencies for sustainable solutions that result in clean, thriving, healthy communities. The strength of EJ Voice lies in our ability to not only enact stronger local, state, and federal policies, but to work on a grassroots level, engaging and empowering people to make a difference.  

 

HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH

 

Cumulative Impacts: Urban communities

face higher levels of pollution from multiple

sources including toxic waste sites, industrial

plants, and heavy city and port traffic. The

"cumulative impacts" of these pollutants are

making people, especially children, sick.

 

Asthma and Children: Asthma is the city's 

biggest crime. Statistically speaking, more 

people die of asthma than homicides. School

age children in Newark have double the state

and national average rate (25%) for asthma

resulting in most missed school daysand

unaffordable medical bills.

 

Cancer and Air Pollution: Newark

residentsface the nation's 2nd greatest

cancerrisk due todiesel emissions. The

city is home to the largest trash incinerator

in the Northeastwhich pollutes the air and

costs the city over $9 million in disposal costs.

The city is also the 3rd largest port in the

nation with 7,000 trucks making an estimated

10,000 trips daily. Many of these toxin-spewing

rigs are antiquated and pollute at least 10 times

more than modern trucks.

EJ Voice Projects

Healthy, GREEN and Vibrant Communities

Advocating for sustainable urban green infrastructure, neighborhood and business district revitalization including Zero-Waste management (expand non-burn options such as trash reduction, recycling, reuse, and composting), and Urban Greening Projects (21st Century Water and flood controls, green space design and use), renewable energy and conservation.

Clean Air

Reducing air toxics and diesel pollution through the Coalition for Healthy Ports (CHPs), Kids Clean Air Zones, and Idle Free New Jersey projects.

Environmental Justice

Working with Newark and state officials to establish model policies that "just say no" to toxic burdens in cities faced with the cumulative impacts of pollution and related harm to human health and the environment. Our efforts seek to create industrial buffers, eliminate and ratchet down air pollution levels while still growing the local economy and local jobs for Newarkers.

Leadership

Creating the next generation of EJ leaders through environmental literacy and leadership training for urban youth. Clean Water Fund's Urban Environmental Institute (UEI) prepares them to advocate for themselves and be future participants in Newark's emerging Sustainability Action Plan and green jobs agenda.

Accomplishments

• Sustainable Newark: Created Newark's first ever Environmental Commission and Office of Sustainability. Kim Gaddy Clean Water Fund's EJ Organizer and EJ Voice Coordinator, is the Chair of the Environmental Commission. Playing a significant role in drafting the city's never before Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) and long overdue Master Plan and zoning revisions (to be released early 2012.) Zero waste elements of SAP already underway.
• Green Jobs: Creating a comprehensive green business development and jobs strategy through Newark's newly formed Green Jobs Development Task Force (report and recommendations due Fall 2012). Secured solar installer certification and "on the job" training for Clean Water Fund's Urban Environmental Institute youth graduates. Conducted 8 leadership and green economy trainings since 2008.
• Zero-Waste: Launched pilot cafeteria food waste reduction program at Weequahic High School and Beth Israel Hospital in Newark. Offering training and job shadowing internships so as to create Newark-based expertise as we expand our efforts at other institutions and neighborhood business districts. Offering back yard composting workshops to local residents and encourage more recycling, now only at 7 percent.
• Take Back the Ports: Initiated the "Take Back the Ports" campaign which focuses on grassroots engagement and seeking community benefits through the city's port True Up lease agreement including good jobs, clean air and diesel reductions for the port region. This is especially important as the volume of goods doubles with the arrival of new supersized Panamax ships in 2014.
• Cumulative Impacts: Working collaboratively with the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance to introduce the state's first local model cumulative impacts ordinance in Newark. It is designed to address the cumulative impact of the multiple pollution sources that plague its residents. Seeking complementary policies at the state level based on a renewed gubernatorial commitment to do so.

EJ VOICE is a project of Clean Water Fund, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that fosters environmental consensus building, enabling diverse constituencies to collaborate and work together for concrete solutions that result in thriving, healthy communities and a clean environment. Clean Water Fund's New Jersey programs build on and complement those of New Jersey Environmental Federation, the NJ Chapter of Clean Water Action. 

This project is funded by the Victoria Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the Environmental Endowment for NJ, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the City of Newark, and a grant from the City of Newark and the Department of Energy (DOE).

For More Information

Kim Gaddy
Environmental Justice Organizer and EJ Voice Coordinator
Phone: 973-420-7925
Email: kgaddy@cleanwater.org