Environmental Justice & Equitable Access to Clean Water

 

We have a sacred duty to hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of her most vulnerable populations. To do this, we must explicitly listen to the perspectives of people of color, indigenous people and people in communities with environmental justice concerns. All people, regardless of race, income bracket, or nation of origin, must be treated with fairness and equity. This also requires that all people are engaged actively in the decision making processes concerning resources necessary for life: air, water and food.

Current Campaigns

Trenton, NJ Press Conference 16th June 2022

Green Amendment

When we think about guaranteed constitutional rights, such as free speech and religion, why do we not have the right to clean air, clean water, a stable climate and healthy environments? Inspired by its simplicity for the benefit of all generations, we have been working to pass a New Jersey Green Amendment, nearing the majority of sponsors in the Assembly and Senate. The world is watching the Green Amendment movement. With majority support of New Jerseyans and legislators alike, we are seeing SCR43/ACR119 move through the legislature. Check out Waterspirit’s Winter/Spring 2024 Campaign Brief & get involved. New Jersey and other states vying for the Green Amendment by connecting with the Green Amendment App here!

FURTHER READING: Maya’s Bloomberg Law article Green Amendments Will Empower Environmental Protection the 2024 Hill article National Push for ‘Green Amendments’ puts states at forefront of climate fight by Saul Elbein and a 2024 Inside Climate News feature on Maya K. Van Rossum during the NJ Green Amendment’s Movement, Maya K. Van Rossum Wants to Save The World by Kylie Bense.

 

Photo via Unsplash

People’s Water Project

This strong, widespread network of organizers, researchers, lawyers, advocates and community members works together to combat water inequities and fight for bold, reparative changes that challenge corporate power and address issues of water affordability and accessibility, water quality and water privatization in low income and BIPOC communities. Advocating for the WATER Act, just introduced again last World Water Day 3/22/23, the group is focused on achieving water justice for all. Join us in supporting - here is our Winter/Spring 2024 Water Act Campaign Brief.

 

New Jersey Poor people’s Campaign in D.C. for the Moral Poverty Action Congress 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Thank you for joining us on June 29th in D.C.!

The New Jersey Poor People’s Campaign’s (NJPPC) growing Coordinating Committee is inviting people to get involved in eradicating poverty in the state. No small feat, it requires advocacy across social justice areas, abilities, skillsets, backgrounds and geographic locations. Check out a recap of this gathering, 2024 NJ Fact Sheet and power mapping for those who wish to help.

We are movement building in 2024, we had a multi-state mass assembly in Trenton on March 2, 2024, written about in InsiderNJ. Get involved with NJ Poor People’s Campaign here!

In the USA? Find your state here and learn about the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival’s demands. Checkout 14 Policy Priorities of the 140 million poor and low-income people in the USA. Heeding the call to do M.O.R.E (Mobilizing, Organizing, Registering, Educating People for a Movement that Votes), Waterspirit partook in the 1000: 1000 prophetic pledge and equipped our volunteer team to help get out the vote for the long haul. Feel empowered? Join us in taking action as part of the larger national Poor People's Campaign.

When water access and quality are necessary to protect, we must protect the human decision-making processes determining its fate. When leaders choose their voters, a democracy is unhealthy. Uncovering the pattern of sacrifice zones and low-income voters or would be voters and public health crises, Waterspirit advocates for the opportunity for justice to heal these societal wounds. If you’d like Waterspirit to visit your Religious Community, Youth Council, Student Organization, we will listen to priorities, enrich connections and engage in ongoing succession planning locally toward global water protection. Send us an email: water@waterspirit.org

Recent Highlights

The intersectionality of Waterspirit’s work is deepening:

The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) met April 2024 to discuss cumulative impacts while rallies were held-including in New Jersey-to amplify a potential supreme court ruling that would criminalize homelessness.

While New Jersey has the landmark cumulative impacts environmental justice law S232 and is looked to for guidance, enforcement here is not yet being implemented. The spirit of the law would ensure prevention of polluting projects, yet still we must persist with prevention. We witness abundance and simultaneous poor health, homelessness and hunger. We do not need the poor; we need to get organized. Waterspirit continues to amplify the need for resounding community voices and involvement in planning for a livable future. Community remains the most important voice in advancing environmental justice. Waterspirit’s role in empowering people to share their experiences and take action remains steadfast. Toxins know no bounds and the more lived experiences are amplified, the faster we may work toward preventative policy solutions. Our Public Policy & Justice Organizer, Rachel Dawn Davis, is chairing the first Water Advocacy Subcommittee of LeadFreeNJ. Reach out if you wish to learn more!

Coming up: Join us at upcoming events exploring, celebrating and advocating for water. We are glad to share greater involvement with NJ Poor People’s Campaign! This chapter is growing and if you are interested in hearing the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor with us, please connect with us: water@waterspirit.org

Visit our Calls to Action page for relevant, timely advocacy activities.