Environmental Justice
Action Team
Environmental Justice
The fact is that environmental hazards and degradation occur most often in spaces where marginalized, low-income, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian people tend to be living. We have a glaring example of that with the drilling (frakking) taking place in Arlington. Our Environmental Justice action team supports the work of Liveable Arlington (see below) as well as other environmental groups in Tarrant County.
Another environmental partner organization in this field is Third Act. Al Hemmelgarn leads this very effective group in Tarrant County and we are teaming up with Al and his climate team to take actions that will call attention to what’s happening and move toward making our world better. Al will include us in his action alerts, meetings, and lobbying efforts. Contact him today and let him know of your interest in this important work:
alhemmelgarn@outlook.com
Several members of this team witnessed the importance of environmental justice work in the Spring of 2025 at a meeting of the Arlington City Council. The French energy company Total was seeking permission to drill in East Arlington. In over two hours of public comment, families told their stories of sick children. Several people mentioned the irrefutable evidence linking such drill sites to poisoning of the air. Yet, unbelievably, Arlington officials hardened their hearts and voted unanimously to approve the drilling. And where is this site? Well, basically in the backyard of a childcare center. Black children. Black families.
Environmental justice recognizes that environmental problems often disproportionately affect marginalized and low-income communities. A key aspect of environmental justice is the concept of environmental racism, which refers to the disproportionate exposure of racial minority communities to environmental hazards.
In this action, we are proud to be following the lead of a grassroots organization called Liveable Arlington which has been at this work of environmental justice for many years. Please check out its website and particularly a comprehensive report called Total Disregard, produced with Earthworks and FracTracker Alliance, on the pollution emitted from gas wells in Arlington.