MoCo Kids Lead the Way: Family Environmental Scavenger Hunt Sparks Climate Action to Protect Our Communities and Environment

CCAN joined parenting author Shannon Brescher Shea to host its first post-pandemic kid-focused event in Montgomery County to help parents talk to their children about climate change and how we can build a safe, sustainable future.

ROCKVILLE, MD —  Dozens of Montgomery County families came together on Sunday, April 27, for a lively and educational Family Environmental Scavenger Hunt at Rockville Memorial Library. Parenting blogger and author Shannon Brescher Shea and Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) brought families together for a fun activity to teach children about protecting the earth and our climate. The goal: empowering the next generation to take action for a safer, more sustainable future. 

Children accompanied by their families explored their community around Rockville Town Center in search of real-world examples of climate-forward practices, such as bike-friendly streets, urban gardens, and reusable mug-friendly stores. They also identified opportunities for improvements, including places dominated by car traffic or places that could be transformed into community green spaces. 

“Depending on their age, some of our kids may not fully understand climate change, but they know when adults are worried,” said Shannon Brescher Shea, parenting author and blogger. “One of the best things we can do is show them that the people they trust the most – us – care and are taking action. Participating in activism as a family shows them that they, too, can take action and make a difference.” 

Following the scavenger hunt, participants returned to the library to reflect on their findings. Children drew pictures of something positive they observed in Rockville and something they would like to change to better protect the environment. Kids were able to write shared notes on why safeguarding the climate matters to them, outlining the steps they hope their community will take for a better future. 

“I know from my work and my own family’s experience that this kind of family education is incredibly important,” said Mustafa Abdullah, Director of Campaigns & Strategies at CCAN. “Several years ago, when the Canadian wildfires were raging and our air was filled with smog and pollutants, I had to put masks on my then two-year-old and 6-month-old to go outside. Once I put them in the stroller, I had to cover the stroller with protective plastic to then walk 15 minutes to their daycare.”

“The dramatic increase in wildfires, flooding, and other extreme weather events can be scary and overwhelming. And they are all consequences of the climate crisis. Our children will have to live with these consequences, so we need to teach them how to make our communities more resilient and adaptive to these conditions. I know anytime my child makes a mess, I ask for her to clean it up. It’s important to me that she sees me practicing that message both personally and in my activism – to see me asking that our elected officials and, more importantly, the polluters, clean up the mess they have made.” 

This event highlighted the power of family engagement in climate activism and the importance of helping children see themselves as part of the solution. CCAN looks forward to hosting future events that continue to nurture environmental stewardship and resilience in Montgomery County’s youngest residents. 

###

Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. 



RVA Steps Up for Climate Action: CCAN’s First 5K for the Planet Energizes People-Powered Movement

Families, friends, and activists ran and walked at Bryan Park to raise awareness and funds for regional environmental resilience and justice

RICHMOND, VA – On Sunday, April 27, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) celebrated its first 5K For the Planet. This event brought together over 70 participants in a vibrant display of community commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action. Runners, walkers, and supporters gathered at Bryan Park to take part in the 5K run/walk, raising awareness and funds for critical environmental initiatives. 

The day’s festivities featured an educational area, where participants discovered ways to get involved in climate advocacy in their communities. Attendees dove into local environmental issues, learned how to push back against polluting projects, and connected with neighbors equally passionate about clean energy and climate justice. Richmond’s local favorite, Nate’s Bagels, provided free breakfast and refreshments for participants.

“We were thrilled to see such strong community support at our first 5K for the Planet,” said Victoria Higgins, CCAN Virginia Director. “Richmond faces real environmental challenges – from polluted waterways to urban heat islands – but progress is made possible when we come together. Richmonders are in the fight for a healthier, more sustainable future.”

In light of recent setbacks in federal environmental protections, local groups and concerned Richmond residents are eager to come together and take action. Many participants voiced support for these ongoing efforts, especially as local and state leaders have stepped up to address critical issues like climate resilience, clean water, and environmental justice.   

“Global solutions depend on local action. Every step we took today was a stride forward towards saving our planet,” said Courtney Dyson, CCAN’s Fundraising Director. “We’re proud to join the Richmond community in supporting local climate action, and we appreciate today’s participants for supporting CCAN’s grassroots campaigns in Virginia and beyond.”

Proceeds from the event will support CCAN’s ongoing projects focused on climate education and community resilience. The momentum from this first 5K will continue to drive meaningful change across the Chesapeake region and beyond. 

Organizational sponsors for CCAN’s 5K For The Planet included: Counterspark, Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association, Ecomaids, Edward Jones Investment, and the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. 

#   #   #

Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. 

LIHEAP in Crisis: State Leaders, Advocates Warn HHS Cuts Put Low-Income Families at Risk of Utility Shutoffs and Health Emergencies

Maryland, Virginia, and DC lawmakers highlight devastating impact of eliminating the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

WASHINGTON, DC – A diverse coalition of elected officials, advocacy groups, and impacted residents held a press conference today outside of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office in Washington, D.C., urging HHS to reverse drastic staff and funding cuts for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The press conference, organized by regional state leaders including Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (MD District 20), drew attention to how this program serves as a lifeline for millions of low-income Americans who rely on energy assistance to survive extreme weather conditions. 

On April 1, the entire federal staff responsible for administering LIHEAP was dismissed as part of a sweeping reduction at HHS. The abrupt termination of LIHEAP staff threatens the effective distribution of $4.1 billion in critical funding. LIHEAP alone serves approximately 6.7 million households annually, with 40% of them including senior citizens. 

“As state legislators, we work hard to keep energy rates low and protect our most vulnerable residents,” said Delegate Charkoudian, MD District 20. “LIHEAP funding plays a critical role in keeping the heat and electricity on for seniors, veterans, medically fragile individuals, and others who would otherwise have to decide between an electric bill and groceries.” 

“The elimination of LIHEAP would jeopardize vital utility assistance that prevents many low-income families, especially seniors, from having to choose between paying energy bills or buying food and medicine,” said Delegate Irene Shin, VA District 8. “If these federal staffing reductions were to become permanent or lead to broader program cuts, thousands of vulnerable households would face utility disconnections and increased financial hardship without adequate alternative safety nets in place.” 

Advocates at the event warned that, without federal staff to process and distribute funds, low-income families across the country are at risk of utility shutoffs, debt, and health emergencies as summer heat intensifies and local agencies struggle to meet demand.

“I cannot express how much LIHEAP helps with BG&E bills. It makes my life just a little bit easier; without it, it would be a huge crisis,” said Jackie Wright, LIHEAP recipient.

“Having electricity or heat isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity for everyone, regardless of their income,” said  Dana Wiggins, Virginia Poverty Law Center.

The elimination of LIHEAP staff also raises concerns about the future of the program because there is a possibility that funds already allocated to the program will be withheld, and no funding will be allocated to the program in fiscal year 2026.

“LIHEAP saves lives, and it has helped keep home energy more affordable for over 40 years,” said Olivia Wein, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “It’s critical that HHS ensure there is no disruption to the administration of the LIHEAP program in order to protect families during future hot summers and cold winters.” 

“It’s about health and safety — keeping the heat on in the winter for very low-income, mostly senior and disabled families,” said Laurel Peltier, Executive Director of Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition. “The Low-Income Heating Assistance Program financial grants are applied directly to our most vulnerable populations’ winter utility bill accounts to make the monthly bill more affordable.”   

Immediately following the press conference, a bipartisan, regional legislator sign-on letter was delivered to key HHS staff, urging swift action to restore LIHEAP’s capacity. The letter currently has 92 legislators signed on. 

“Creating safer, more energy-efficient homes is a critical part of ensuring that all Marylanders can stay in their homes longer, more comfortably, and with fewer risks to their health and wellness,” said Scott Gottbreht, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Assistant Secretary for Policy. “The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program supports fundamental human dignity and safety in our communities, and cuts or delays would undermine the stability of working families and the well-being of children throughout the region.”

“We are very concerned about the continued delays by the Trump Administration in releasing the remaining $378 million in LIHEAP funds,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director, National Energy Assistance Directors Association. “These funds will help about 750,000 very poor families pay their cooling bills this summer and outstanding utility debt from this year’s cold winter.  And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Administration’s draft budget would zero out LIHEAP, causing unnecessary harm to more than 6 million struggling families in every state of the country.” 

“LIHEAP is a lifeline every year for around 15,000 District residents who fall behind on utility bills,” said Charles Allen, D.C. Councilman Ward 6. “When the air is shut off in the summer or the heat in the winter, it becomes very serious, very quickly – people die. This isn’t a red or blue state issue – it’s about making sure people on a fixed income don’t die of heat stroke. With the entire federal office overseeing the program terminated, I am extremely concerned about how money will get to the people who need it.” 

Click HERE to watch the livestream recording.

Click on photos for full view.

#  #  #

This event was sponsored by: Members of the Maryland General Assembly, Members of the Virginia House of Delegates, Members of the DC City Council, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Cancer Support Foundation, National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition, VA Poverty Law Center, Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 410, National Consumer Law Center, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Union 410 (IBEW410), International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local Union 24 (IBEW 24)

Black History Month and the Environmental Justice Movement

Happy Black History Month, climate family! Black History Month is coming to a close, and I’m still fired up to talk about the incredible impact Black leaders have had on the environmental justice movement. Let’s dive into this crucial intersection of racial justice and climate action! 

Black History Month is a time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of the incredible contributions that Black people and communities have made to shaping our world. It’s also a time to critically engage with the struggles that continue to impact Black people, especially as they intersect with issues of environmental justice and climate change.

Environmental justice is not just about protecting the land; it’s about protecting people. Communities of color—especially Black communities—have long been on the frontlines of environmental harm. From toxic waste sites to polluted air and water, environmental burdens are disproportionately placed on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This is the ugly truth of environmental racism, and it’s something we cannot ignore.

But here’s the thing: the fight for environmental justice is also a fight for liberation. It’s a fight against systemic oppression that harms the planet and its people. The negative impacts of climate change are often most acutely felt at the local level—where marginalized communities live, work, and fight for survival. That’s why we need to recognize the contributions of Black leaders in local climate justice movements and take action to support them.

The Roots of Environmental Justice

The environmental justice movement is deeply rooted in Black American history. It all kicked off in 1982 when the brave residents of Warren County, North Carolina, stood up against a toxic waste dump in their predominantly Black community. North Carolina had chosen to build a landfill for toxic waste in a community already facing economic challenges. The decision to place the dump there was approved despite the fact that the area had no history of industrial activity and was largely residential, with many families relying on farming and agriculture. This was not an isolated case but part of a larger pattern of environmental hazards being disproportionately placed in low-income, Black neighborhoods across the U.S.

NC Highways Historical Marker for PCB landfill protests in Afton, North Carolina

The people of Warren County, led by local activists, such as Dr. Robert Bullard and Ben Chavis, refused to passively accept this decision. They organized protests, rallies, and demonstrations to resist the construction of the toxic waste site. For weeks, starting in September 1982, activists, community leaders, and residents engaged in acts of civil disobedience, including blocking trucks from delivering toxic waste to the site. Protesters were arrested, and many were subjected to police brutality, but their efforts drew national attention to the broader issue of environmental racism.

The Warren County protests highlighted how communities of color bear the brunt of our country’s pollution, and this fight signaled that marginalized communities would no longer silently endure this exploitation. Although the landfill was ultimately built in Warren County, the protests sparked a national movement that led to critical developments in environmental policy and advocacy. In 1987, the landmark report by the United Church of Christ’s Commission for Racial Justice highlighted the disproportionate number of hazardous wastes sites in Black and low-income communities. 

But the fight didn’t start or end there. Black communities have been battling environmental injustices for generations, from toxic dumping to air pollution. These struggles laid the groundwork for what we now call the environmental justice movement.

Environmental Justice and the Climate Crisis

The global climate crisis is here—and its impacts are catastrophic. From rising sea levels to extreme weather patterns, vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of environmental destruction. However, the solution to this crisis lies in the same principles that have guided the fight for environmental justice for decades: respect for the land, equity, and the empowerment of frontline communities.

In the United States, Black communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation. Consider the history of environmental racism in places like Flint, Michigan, where lead-tainted water poisoned an entire city, or the continued struggles of communities living near industrial waste sites in places like Cancer Alley, Louisiana, where the risk of cancer is 95% higher than most of the country. The climate crisis amplifies these issues, making it clear that the environmental movement must center those who have been historically marginalized.

How You Can Help: Environmental Justice Organizations Serving Black Communities in the DMV Area

As we reflect on Black History Month, let’s also honor the environmental organizations serving Black communities and doing vital work on the ground. The following organizations are showing us that climate justice is about more than just reducing emissions – it’s about creating a fair and sustainable world for everyone. Support for these organizations is crucial, not just during Black History Month, but year-round. 

If you’re in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area, there are powerful organizations that need your support:

  • Empower DC: Empower DC is elevating the cause of environmental justice to bring about improvements at the community and systemic levels. They are focused on DC neighborhoods most impacted by air quality issues.
  • WE ACT for Environmental Justice (DC Chapter): Through advocacy, planning, and research, WE ACT is able to mobilize low-income communities of color to make environmental change.
    Friends of Chesterfield for the 2025 Gas Plant Campaign Kick-Off  Thursday, Feb 27, at the Central Library.
  • Labor Network For Sustainability(LNS) DC: LNS hopes to create a ‘just transition’ for workers and communities negatively affected by climate change and by industry transitions to renewable energy.
  • Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice & Health (CEEJH) MD:  CEEJH works to INpower fenceline, frontline, and underserved communities to resist ongoing environmental, climate, energy, and health injustices so everyone can thrive in just, equitable, and sustainable futures.
  • CASA (Maryland & Virginia): CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latinx, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities.
  • Friends of Chesterfield: Friends of Chesterfield is a community-based group in Chesterfield County bringing residents together in opposition to Dominion Energy’s proposed gas-fired plant in an environmental justice community.
  • RVA Southside ReLeaf:  Southside Releaf is working to tackle environmental injustice through hands-on projects, education, and advocacy in the Richmond Metro area.
  • Virginia Interfaith Power & Light (VAIPL): VAIPL collaborates among people of faith and conscience to grow healthy communities by advancing climate and environmental justice.

These groups are fighting for cleaner air, safer neighborhoods, and a healthier planet. They are standing up against environmental injustices, advocating for policy changes, and empowering their communities to take action.

The Future Is Now

Black History Month is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, but also to recognize how much work remains. The environmental justice movement reminds us that the fight for a healthy planet is inseparable from the fight for racial justice. In the words of the great environmentalist and activist Dr. Robert Bullard: “Environmental justice is a civil rights issue.” It’s time to honor the legacy of Black leaders who have been fighting for justice on all fronts and take action to support those leading the charge today.

Now, more than ever, the future of our planet—and our communities—depends on the power of collective action. Let’s ensure that Black voices and environmental justice communities are not only heard but supported in meaningful ways. Let’s commit to amplifying Black voices in the climate movement and working towards a just and sustainable future for all.

Indie Folk Musician and DC Climate Activist Vienna Teng Performs at the 20th Annual CCAN Polar Bear Plunge

As Threats to Climate Progress Intensify, Hundreds of Activists Were Freezin’ for a Reason: Raise Funds for Critical Climate Campaigns

Takoma Park, MD – On Saturday, February 15, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) celebrated its 20th Annual CCAN Polar Bear Plunge to “Keep Winter Cold!” Hundreds of climate activists across the DMV region and beyond took icy plunges in backyards, local waterways, and even ice buckets, raising funds for urgently needed climate action in 2025 and sharing their experiences online. 

Photos and videos of CCAN’s 2025 Polar Bear Plungers can be found here: https://app.kululu.com/welcome/fzikog.

“Back in 2005, not many people had heard about climate change and we certainly weren’t feeling the impacts like we are today. In 2005 we were talking about future impacts from climate change. We hadn’t seen it as much as we do now,” said Anne Havemann, Deputy Director and General Counsel of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, reflecting on the first CCAN Polar Bear Plunge for the Climate. “In 2025, we see climate change impacts all over the globe, in our backyards, and people understand what it is. We hope to make sure that people know that there are still solutions, all is not lost, and we’ll keep working to fight climate change.” 

Internationally acclaimed indie folk musician and DC climate activist Vienna Teng headlined the event with a stirring performance. Teng, known for her passionate and original musical style, lent her voice to this powerful cause emphasizing the need to act now. 

“Chesapeake Climate Action Network is near and dear to my heart because I spent 10 years working on climate and clean energy and sustainability professionally, and I got to see firsthand how important local groups like this are to implementing climate solutions all over the world,” said Vienna Teng, a D.C. based pianist, singer-songwriter, and climate activist. “There are just so many things that help to move everything forward, on a systemic level, that local groups like CCAN make possible.” 

The 20th CCAN Polar Bear Plunge comes at a critical time when global temperatures continue to rise, with 2024 being the warmest year on record. The World Meteorological Organization warns that record-breaking heat is likely to continue in 2025, further accelerating climate change. This event represented a powerful statement of community commitment to climate resilience.

CCAN’s NoVa New Leaf Action Team Plunge at a local creek. 

CCAN supporters, Kathy Ferger (left) and Lisa Keily (right) plunging to Keep Winter Cold!

“The current administration’s anti-climate stance makes people-powered climate action more crucial than ever. We’re deeply grateful that hundreds of individuals and groups continue to demonstrate their unwavering support for climate action through events like our Polar Bear Plunge. This grassroots momentum is essential to drive the changes we desperately need,” said Mike Tidwell, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. 

CCAN’s 2025 Polar Bear Plunge sponsors included: Beanetics Coffee Roasters, Climate Action Campaign, Motorkat, Zinnia, Takoma Bev Co., US Wind, MAREC Action, Evergreen Action, and EDF Renewables. 

The event, traditionally held at the Potomac River, pivoted to a virtual format following the recent plane crash. Participants observed a solemn moment of silence for the lives lost before commencing their chilly demonstrations of commitment to environmental protection.

This year’s plunge has so far raised more than $162,000 in funds that will be used to fight the harmful effects of climate change in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and across the United States. For more information, visit our site: www.keepwintercold.org. 

#   #   #

Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Violation-Riddled MVP Developer Submits Request to Alter Southgate Pipeline

Lengths of pipe placed the ground along the under-construction Mountain Valley Pipeline near Elliston, Virginia, U.S. September 29, 2019. Picture taken September 29, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller (Newscom TagID: rtrleleven529716.jpg) [Photo via Newscom]

CCAN highlight:

“Mountain Valley Pipeline has spent decades trying to break and bend the rules to rush through unnecessary, dangerous methane gas pipelines that put communities and vulnerable ecosystems at risk,” said Victoria Higgins, Virginia Director for Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “It is incumbent upon regulators like FERC to ensure MVP Southgate is subject to the same rules as every other project and recognize the amendment for what it is: a completely new proposal.”

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, pipeline operator Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC submitted a new amendment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the methane gas pipeline “Southgate,” proposed for Virginia and North Carolina. Southgate would extend the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline, and has faced significant opposition since it was proposed in 2018.

MVP made an amendment request instead of a new application and asked that FERC issue an order by December 31, 2025. Project opponents contend a new application should be required because the route and impact of the project are distinct from the original 2020 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by FERC.

Just 10 days after receiving a three-year extension on their federal certificate, MVP announced it had radically altered its plans for Southgate, changing the route, length and pipe diameter. As described in the amendment, Southgate would include 31 miles of 30-inch diameter pipeline in Virginia and North Carolina and had “entered into precedent agreements with Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (‘Duke’) and Public Service Company of North Carolina, Inc, d/b/a Enbridge Gas North Carolina (‘PSNC’), both as Foundation Shippers.” The similarly routed proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project from Williams Companies’ expansion of the Transco pipelines also claims Duke will be a major customer. The co-location of two high-pressure, large diameter pipelines is of significant concern for local residents.

MVP’s amendment request will trigger a public comment period.

“This new project proposed by Southgate developers, shielded in a FERC amendment, is unnecessary and dangerous to the communities, air, water and species along its intended route,” said Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator at Appalachian Voices. “We’ve seen the abject misery that Southgate’s developers inflicted with their Mountain Valley Pipeline, and that history should not be repeated—FERC should deny this amendment.

“For years MVP Southgate has never moved forward and has been denied multiple permits,” said Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck, Co-Founder of 7 Directions of Service. “As a result, developers have abandoned their original plans, and proposed what can only be considered a totally new project. The route has been cut in half and the size of the pipe has increased significantly. Meanwhile, an additional high-pressure methane gas pipeline has just been proposed to run directly alongside it. Our regulators must reject Southgate’s attempts to downplay these developments as minor, and ensure the project follows procedures from square one, where community concerns can be fully heard.”

“When constructing the Mainline, Mountain Valley Pipeline consistently disregarded community concerns and environmental safeguards,” said Caroline Hansley, Campaign Organizing Strategist with the Sierra Club. “Now the company’s new proposal for the MVP-Southgate extension is drastically different from its original proposal, and FERC should treat it as such. A new application is the only way  to ensure transparency, accountability, and a meaningful opportunity for impacted communities to have their voices heard. We cannot allow yet another harmful pipeline to jeopardize our environment, public health, and climate progress.”

“Mountain Valley Pipeline has spent decades trying to break and bend the rules to rush through unnecessary, dangerous methane gas pipelines that put communities and vulnerable ecosystems at risk,” said Victoria Higgins, Virginia Director for Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “It is incumbent upon regulators like FERC to ensure MVP Southgate is subject to the same rules as every other project and recognize the amendment for what it is: a completely new proposal.”

 

CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org 

The Day After Inauguration: MLK Day 2025 and the Ongoing Struggle for Environmental Justice

As we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025, we honor the remarkable work of a leader who fought tirelessly for justice, equality, and the upliftment of marginalized communities. King’s advocacy for civil rights extended beyond racial equality; it encompassed economic justice, peace, and ultimately, environmental justice—a fight that remains just as urgent today. This year, however, the MLK Day celebration held an additional layer of significance. It coincided with the inauguration of President Donald Trump, a leader whose environmental policies often stand in stark opposition to the principles of climate justice. 

Yesterday marked a critical juncture in American history, providing an opportunity to revisit Dr. King’s vision of justice while grappling with the future of environmental justice in an era marked by growing opposition to climate action and environmental protections. While King’s words and actions emphasize the interconnection of all life, Trump’s track record reflects a stark disregard for the environment, often prioritizing corporate interests over the well-being of marginalized communities, especially those most vulnerable to environmental pollution. 

King famously said, “It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” These words resonate deeply when we consider the current state of environmental justice. Climate change and pollution disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color—those who are least responsible for the crisis but most affected by its consequences. Yet, under President Trump’s administration, the push for environmental protection is consistently undermined, leaving vulnerable populations even more at risk.

Dr. King’s fight for justice extended beyond racial and economic equality. He envisioned a world where everyone had access to a healthy and sustainable environment. His commitment to justice was holistic—emphasizing the connection between poverty, racism, and environmental degradation. The modern environmental justice movement, which advocates for protection from environmental harm for marginalized communities, draws from Dr. King’s understanding of justice as interconnected and inseparable from the fight for racial, economic, and social equity.

Yet, as we reflect on his legacy, we must confront the reality that President Trump’s administration has systematically rolled back environmental protections, prioritizing corporate interests over the health and well-being of the most vulnerable communities—communities Dr. King fought so hard to uplift. On his first day back as president, Trump signed an executive letter giving notice of the U.S. exit from the Paris Agreement, a global treaty seeking to combat the climate crisis. 

Dr. King’s Vision for Environmental Justice

Dr. King recognized that true justice was indivisible. In his speeches and actions, he highlighted the links between environmental harm and the struggles of the poor and people of color. In his 1967 speech, King called for systemic change, stating, “The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct, and immediate abolition of poverty.” He also acknowledged the disproportionate environmental burdens placed on marginalized communities, pointing out that pollution and ecological degradation often fell hardest on the poor, particularly communities of color. His words laid the foundation for today’s environmental justice movement, which advocates for equal protection from environmental hazards for all, with a particular focus on those most vulnerable.

Environmental Justice Under Trump’s Administration

Now, as President Trump enters his second term, the environmental landscape remains bleak for those who believe in the fight for a just and equitable future. Under Trump’s leadership, the federal government has rolled back crucial environmental protections, undermining efforts to confront climate change and safeguard vulnerable populations.

One example of this is the 2019 executive order that directed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ease restrictions on transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail. This decision put both the environment and public safety at risk, especially in communities already burdened by pollution and health risks. Many of the areas that would be affected by this policy are low-income and predominantly communities of color—groups that Dr. King tirelessly advocated for.

Thankfully, days before the inauguration, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned President Trump’s LNG by Rail Rule. In this instance, as in many others, corporate interests took precedence over the health and safety of the people Dr. King sought to protect. The Trump administration’s track record is a stark reminder of the ongoing need to defend environmental justice.

The Ongoing Fight for Environmental Justice

As we reflect on MLK Day 2025, it is clear that environmental justice remains a critical issue in the face of the climate crisis. Today, more than ever, we must continue to fight for Dr. King’s vision of justice, which encompasses the right to live in a healthy, sustainable environment. The rollback of protections like the 2019 LNG rail transport order represents just one piece of the puzzle in an administration that prioritizes fossil fuel interests over the needs of vulnerable communities. 

By making decisions that benefit the fossil fuel industry at the expense of environmental protections, Trump’s policies have exacerbated the injustices faced by those most vulnerable to environmental harm. Yet, despite these challenges, the fight for environmental justice continues.

King’s dream of a better, more equitable world—one in which all people can live in healthy, sustainable communities—remains alive in the work of countless activists, organizations, and communities across the globe. From grassroots movements fighting for clean water and air to calls for stronger regulations and sustainable energy solutions, the spirit of resistance against environmental injustice continues to thrive.

 

A Call to Action: Upholding Dr. King’s Legacy

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we must redouble our efforts to continue the fight for justice in all its forms. We must push back against harmful policies, and hold our leaders accountable for the future of our planet and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Consider taking action:

  • Support environmental justice organizations – Join or donate to groups like CCAN that are working on the frontlines to protect vulnerable communities from environmental harm.

Dr. King’s words continue to inspire us: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” As we face the realities of the climate crisis we must remain united in the struggle for justice—today, tomorrow, and the next four years. 

Long-awaited DOE Report Makes Crystal Clear LNG Exports are NOT in Public Interest

Biden Administration’s Dept. of Energy analysis of Liquified Natural Gas exports shows Americans are negatively impacted, especially communities of color.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Biden Administration’s Department of Energy today released a long-awaited and potentially explosive analysis of the impacts of liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. The report’s findings provide a crystal clear picture of the vast negative impacts that LNG has on the climate, economy, national security, and public health. Earlier this year, President Biden took bold, historic action to pause LNG export license approvals so DOE could properly evaluate the impacts of new LNG exports. That policy created the opportunity to disrupt fossil-fuel polluters’ “business as usual.” 

DOE is now expected to open a public comment period on the draft analysis. Chesapeake Climate Action Network plans to use that public comment period to ensure the analysis is used comprehensively to justify the rejection of all pending and future LNG export projects. 

Quentin Scott, Federal Director for CCAN Action Fund: 

“The long-awaited Department of Energy Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export analysis proves what climate justice and frontline leaders have been saying for years. The US government can no longer pretend to build out LNG export facilities in the public interest. LNG exports pollute communities, raise consumer and business costs, and increase greenhouse gas emissions, especially impacting communities of color in the Gulf. There is no spin the fossil fuel industry can put on the hard facts. Continuing to build these facilities after this report would be willful ignorance. We call on the Biden Administration to listen to their own report and reject pending LNG export licenses.” 

 #   #   #

Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Judge Rules: Governor Youngkin Effort to Pull Virginia Out of RGGI was Illegal

RICHMOND, VA – The Floyd County Circuit Court ruled today that Gov. Glenn Youngkin administration’s decision to direct the Air Pollution Control Board to end Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”) was unlawful. The decision upholds the argument that environmental advocacy groups, activists, and lawmakers have been making for years: only the Virginia General Assembly has the authority to repeal the RGGI regulations. 

RGGI is a multi-state cap-and-invest program that gradually limits carbon emissions from power plants and charges polluters for their emissions. In Virginia, the associated revenue funds flood resilience and low-income energy efficiency programs, including weatherization and efficient affordable housing construction. RGGI is overwhelmingly supported by the public, with 66% of Virginians in support and over 95% of public comments during the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) advocating against RGGI repeal. 

In today’s decision, the Circuit Court ruled that “the only body with the authority to repeal the RGGI Regulation would be the General Assembly. This is because a statute, the RGGI Act, requires the RGGI Regulation to exist.” This corroborates comments submitted by CCAN to the Air Board in 2023, which stated that the RGGI Act “is not a vague directive for state agencies to administer RGGI when and as they see fit. It is a mandate.”

“Today’s decision is a testament to the legislative accomplishments of the General Assembly and their incredible work to protect our health and environment,” said Victoria Higgins, Virginia Director for Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “RGGI is critical, proven, and overwhelmingly popular. More importantly, it is the law. Today, I want to especially extend our thanks to state Delegate Charniele Herring and former Senator Lynwood Lewis, who were the patrons that introduced and passed this strong climate law.”

 #   #   #

Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.