Target: Diane W. Wood President of the National Environmental Education Foundation
Goal: To support and promote environmental education in vulnerable communities
Nonprofit coalition Campaign for Communities is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this month. This group is a combined effort of Latino, African-American, low-income, and environmental organizations who strive to educate, register, and turn out voters for environmental causes. Their results have been impressive, registering and educating hundreds of thousands of voters about how environmental issues put their health and well-being at risk.
In minority populations, employment, education, and immigration are often more important than environmental hazards. Over the years, politicians have spent little campaign money to persuade minorities to vote for the environment. Even when low-income communities are interested in engaging in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, financing and access tend to hold them back. However, this particular campaign was able to find common ground with minority groups and develop environmental education materials that resonated with voters.
Further efforts are being put into educating women about ways they can improve the environment too. Community leaders, politicians, and environmentalists recently joined together for the Third Annual Women and the Environment Symposium at Grand Valley State University, hosted by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. The symposium’s central theme was challenging women to become involved in local environmental issues in some way, regardless of their backgrounds. Women learned about issues that affect their lives and their families through workshops, a panel discussion, a keynote speaker, and an award ceremony.
Sign the below petition to show your support for environmental education in vulnerable communities. Support the National Environmental Education Foundation, the North American Association for Environmental Education, and other organizations working to get educate people from all backgrounds. Without the support of minority groups, women, and residents living in vulnerable communities, our planet doesn’t stand a chance.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Ms. Wood,
I understand that your organization was chartered by the United States Congress to complement the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency to foster environmental knowledge in all segments of the American public. Unfortunately, many minority groups have lacked access to this type of education over the years and it’s become evident at the voting polls.
Thank you for doing your part to collaborate with government agencies, private foundations, businesses, and nonprofit groups to facilitate educational seminars, volunteer projects, and environmental campaigns. Please pay particular attention to minority groups, women, students, and the elderly as you create programs and initiatives for the years ahead. I am urging you to work with schools, universities, and corporate partners to help the American public realize how environmental issues are relevant to daily life and how preserving the earth is everyone’s responsibility.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: audio-luci-store.it via Flickr