Once you do any reading about climate and environmental justice issues, you tend to get the urge to roll up your sleeves and do something about the rampant injustices that continue to exist in our society. To help you find your way along that path, we have compiled a list of some well-known and some not-so-well-known climate and environmental justice organizations. This is by no means meant to be an all-inclusive list, and if you have a suggestion for adding an organization, please let us know.
350.org is a Boston-based registered nonprofit dedicated to building a global equitable climate movement. Members include volunteers, organizers, and activists from all over the world.
An alliance of 70+ urban and rural frontline communities, organizations and supporting networks in the climate justice movement located in Berkely, CA. Focus is on the social, racial, economic and environmental justice issues of climate change.
Advocacy group supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples located in Cambridge, MA.
Located in San Francisco, CA this is a public interest environmental law organization whose mission is to “…wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change.”
The Environmental Defense Fund brings together scientists, lawyers, and other experts to work on solving environmental challenges.
Environmental Protection Agency (United States)
Mission is to protect human health and the environment.
Global Greengrants Fund has been providing grants to grassroots climate initiatives and projects at the local level since 1993. Grants have been awarded to community-based projects in 168 countries with an aim to promote environmental justice.
Greenpeace Environmental Justice Campaign
Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions.
Intersectional Environmentalist
Resources and information to support intersectional environmentalism, address oppressive systems within the environmental movement, and promote an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and planet.
Movement Generation Justice & Ecology Project
Foundation located in Berkeley, CA. Conducts retreats, workshops, and trainings for organizations, community organizers, activists, and educators to advance a justice-based approach to ecology.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A division of the U. S. Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s mission is to better understand our natural world and help protect its precious resources extends beyond national borders to monitor global weather and climate, and work with partners around the world.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The OECD is a group of governments, policy makers and citizens, establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges.
Organization of American States (OAS) -Sustainable Dev. programs
The Organization of American States promotes democracy, human rights, and provides arbitration for the settlement of disagreements and disputes of member countries.
RFF is an independent research institution located in Washington, DC whose mission is to “… improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement.”
American youth-led political action movement that advocates political action on climate change. This movement is supported by the Sunrise Movement Education Fund, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C.
A project of the nonprofit Transgender Foundation of America, the Trans Disaster Relief Fund offers financial aid to trans, intersex, and genderqueer individuals who have been impacted by disasters including floods, wildfires, and hurricanes.
Advocacy group founded in 1969 by scientists and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
United Nations Development Program’s Sustainable Development Goals
A set of universal goals that meet the urgent environmental, political and economic challenges facing our world created by the United Nations Development Programme. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress.
Organized to raise awareness of the Mountain Top Removal and its effect on Appalachian Communities.
Concerned Citizens of South Central (LA)
CCSCLA works on environmental issues such as recycling, the cleaning of alleyways and streets, childhood lead poisoning prevention, storm drain protection, used motor oil recycling, teen worker rights, among others affecting community members’ quality of life.
Jackson, Mississippi based cooperative network working towards sustainable community development, economic democracy, and community ownership.
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
Environmental justice organization that created the Historically Black College and University Climate Change Consortium (HBCU) , a group of universities in the South working to “…raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities to develop HBCU students leaders, scientists and advocates on issues related to environmental and climate justice policies.”
East Yard Communities for Justice
Located in Commerce, CA EYCEJ is “…working towards a safe and healthy environment for communities that are disproportionately suffering the negative impacts of industrial pollution.”
A South Seattle-based grassroots organization led by people of color and low income people which organizes for environmental, racial, and economic justice.
Grassroots advocacy group working to end the petrochemical industry’s destruction of Louisiana.
Movement Generation Justice & Ecology Project
Foundation located in Berkeley, CA. Conducts retreats, workshops, and trainings for organizations, community organizers, activists, and educators to advance a justice-based approach to ecology.
Event to raise awareness of the importance of Salmon migration and conservation. Hosted by the Winnemem Wintu Tribe in CA. This 300-mile trek on foot, bicycle, canoe, and horse spans over 2 weeks and travels between the Winnemem Waywacket (McCould River) to the Bay-Delta Estuary at the Ohlone site, Sogorea Te (Glen Cove, Vallejo, Ca) where we are annually hosted by Ohlone tribal spokesperson for the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, Corrina Gould. Sponsored by the Indian Cultural Organization.
A collective local effort to ensure that undocumented individuals and families displaced by the fires and impacted by disasters (like the coronavirus pandemic) have the support and resources necessary to recover and rebuild their lives in Sonoma County. North Bay Organizing Project serves as their fiscal sponsor.
Located in Salt Lake City, UT, this conservation organization “…works toward healing of people and the Earth by supporting indigenous communities in protecting their culturally significant, ancestral lands.”
We Act For Environmental Justice
A northern Manhattan community-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by assuring that people of color and/or low-income participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices.