What You Can Do About Climate Change — Environmental Justice (EJ)

From extreme heat to rising sea level, climate change can have unequal effects on underserved and overburdened populations. These inequities were not created overnight and are deeply rooted in our laws, policies, and institutions. Addressing these disparities is key to advancing effective climate change solutions and will require thoughtful partnerships and meaningful involvement of the individuals and families who are closest to the problems.

• Get to know your community by learning what climate issues threaten your neighborhoods, who is most vulnerable, and how you can help. Use EPA’s EJSCREEN tool to identify areas that may have higher environmental burdens and vulnerable populations.
• Plant trees wherever you can, but don’t stop there. Tree plantings, community gardens, green roofs, and other actions can all help cool urban heat islands. Under-resourced communities are especially vulnerable to the impacts of urban heat islands, particularly in the summer.
• Learn in which communities large, industrial U.S. greenhouse gas-emitting facilities are located and how much they emit using the Facility-Level Information on GreenHouse gases Tool (FLIGHT). You can explore the data by ZIP code, state or county, facility type, gas type, and other filters.
• Use EPA’s Power Plants and Neighboring Communities site to learn more about power plants in your community. This web-based mapping tool combines EJSCREEN data with detailed data on fossil fuel–fired power plants across the country.
• All communities can use EPA's Best Value Finder to find the lowest-priced ENERGY STAR certified products, including refrigerators, televisions, room air conditioners, and light bulbs. It also includes available utility rebates and special offers.
• Learn about EPA's Community-Port Collaboration and how to empower near-port communities to effectively engage in port decisions that may impact local land use, human health, and quality of life.
• Discover ways you can work with your neighbors and your community to integrate smart growth and environmental justice to prepare for and lessen the impacts of climate change, address disparities, and build healthy and sustainable neighborhoods.
• Get Involved. Local governments have voluntary advisory boards and neighborhood councils where you can help to shape policies and funding decisions. They need diverse participants, including people from the neighborhoods most affected by climate change and health and environmental hazards.