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As an organization committed to environmental justice, DRCC stands in solidarity with Black communities demanding an immediate end to state-sanctioned violence. The loss of Black lives at the hands of police in the U.S. is a direct result of the same systems of social injustice that are responsible for the alarming death rates of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people during this pandemic. The disproportionate impacts of toxic pollution and environmental burdens create health disparities for communities of color which consequently suffer from asthma, low birth weights and other effects. Studies have shown the lower Duwamish Valley has some of the worst air quality in the region. We are facing a public health and economic crisis at an unprecedented scale. We know that impacts of both the climate crisis and COVID-19 are disproportionately impacting working people, lower-income families, and communities of color like the Duwamish Valley, Many of the solutions needed to recover from the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 will also ease the transition to climate justice—such as access to affordable healthcare, housing, clean transportation and green energy options that will help clean our air and create good, safe jobs for those historically impacted. We won’t be able to address climate change without engaging in race and social justice issues. Areas in South Seattle with higher Black, Hispanic, and Native/Indigenous populations suffer from greater exposure to environmental dangers than majority-white neighborhoods in Seattle. South Park and Georgetown residents have a life expectancy which is 8 years shorter than the Seattle and King County average I invite you to join us to seek solutions and take action towards environmental justice. Work with us to invest in healthy communities with affordable housing, well-paid green jobs, high quality education with digital equity, and access to nutritious food, and clean air and water. We can learn from and be led by experiences of those most impacted by structural inequity and racism, and to generate a better future together. We remain hopeful. Thank you for prioritizing our Duwamish Valley as you work to advance climate-resilient, equitable and healthy communities!
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