As we close out 2025, we’re proud to share how communities, students, and partners across the Gulf South continued rising to meet extraordinary challenges.
We invite you to explore our Year-End Report and see the impact your solidarity makes possible.
In 2024, DSCEJ activated the Power to the People Coalition (funded in part by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Erol Foundation, and the United States Energy Foundation) to build communities’ capacity and understanding of transmission planning, renewable energy options, and climate ready housing. To do this, the coalition conducted educational workshops and training sessions for community-based organizations (CBOs). By focusing these topics, the coalition aims to empower communities to develop projects that address their specific needs and to pursue funding opportunities that will bring these projects to life.
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) is leading a bold initiative to transform the energy future of New Orleans and the Gulf South—placing community voices and climate-ready homes at the center.
Our mission: to build resilient, energy-efficient communities that are prepared for the impacts of climate change while reclaiming energy equity for those historically left out of the conversation.
In partnership with HousingLOUISIANA, we’re delivering a dynamic training program that supports education and advocacy lessons on resilient homes built and updated with a focus on weatherization, fortification, and energy efficiency. Our homes are more than structures—they’re tools for economic empowerment, lower energy costs, and improved quality of life. This project is an important facet of a just transition away from fossil fuels toward a healthier, more equitable energy system.
Alongside Alliance for Affordable Energy, we’re expanding community knowledge about how our energy systems work—highlighting the importance of equitable transmission planning, renewable energy access, and energy justice.
Our trainings are designed to equip community leaders with the tools to influence policy, hold utilities accountable, and push for fair housing policies, renewable energy solutions, and transmission planning that serves everyone.
Continuing efforts that began in 2024, this spring, DSCEJ held two workshops for CBO leaders – Staying Power: Generating Resilient Communities Workshop I on March 5, 2025 in New Orleans and a second Virtual Workshop on April 21, 2025.
Participants discussed preparing homes for extreme weather by improving home energy efficiency, weatherization, and home fortification. They learned how improving homes in this way can increase community resilience to extreme weather and can potentially reduce home insurance premiums across an entire state. Participants also learned about renewable energy opportunities, transmission planning implications, and the who, how, and where to advocate for community needs related to housing and energy issues.
Our Staying Power: Generating Resilient Communities workshops impacted approximately 40 CBOS representing Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. These workshops have led to the development of advocacy tools that prioritize communities’ needs and connect them directly to the benefits that emerge from community-directed initiatives. These tools include policy guides, educational materials, and advocacy training, all tailored to address pressing housing and energy challenges. The series will continue this fall with a workshop to develop community action plans and roadmaps for energy and housing initiatives.
On July 15, members of DSCEJ staff attended the Light is Your Right Energy Independence: Hurricane Prep Workshop hosted by the Institute of Utopian Hospitality in New Orleans. The purpose of the event was to share insights on building energy resilience in your home. Topics discussed included using renewable power to ensure lights and critical items, like medical devices, stay on during times of emergency, as well as how our communities can build a more reliable, equitable grid for everyone.
The Light is Your Right campaign is the brainchild of the Energy Future New Orleans Coalition (EFNO), an organization committed to community-centered energy justice. The campaign’s mission is to raise awareness, educate, and empower the community to call on local leaders to recognize utility access as a human right, and to adopt policies that protect New Orleans’ most vulnerable residents.
DSCEJ has been an active member of this coalition since its inception in 2016. Over the spring and summer of 2025, DSCEJ supported several Light is Your Right community meetings and events. We are excited to continue collaborating with this community-centered energy justice coalition.
To hold polluters and officials accountable for continued toxic emissions, DSCEJ empowers stakeholders to engage more effectively in air monitoring.
Through our funding partnerships with EPA, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Wellcome Trust, we educate communities on local air pollution issues, support them in monitoring the specific air pollutants they are most concerned about, and provide technical assistance in interpreting their findings. This data is leveraged to drive change through deeper civic engagement.
DSCEJ, in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), hosted an AirPen Training workshop on March 22, 2025. Funded by an EDF Wellcome Trust grant, the event focused on educating community members about the health impacts of air pollution and training them how to use the AirPen device, a state-of-the-art tool designed to help communities better prepare for and respond to the health impacts of storms and air pollution.
The AirPen collects air quality data which can be used to identify and assess various hazardous chemicals and pollutants in the air. It is an essential tool that will enable communities to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of air pollution and advocate for cleaner and safer environments.
Participants were also given detailed instruction on how to operate the AirPen device, change sample tubes, and start and stop sampling, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to monitor air quality effectively. Teaching community members about air pollution and its health impacts is crucial, as exposure to pollutants can lead to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and other serious health issues. By educating residents about environmental hazards and Airpen instrument training, DSCEJ is empowering communities to take an active role in improving their living conditions and advocating for environmental justice.
Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, DSCEJ is building capacity of local partners The Descendants Project and Concerned Citizens of St. John in St. John the Baptist Parish to monitor the air quality, engage with stakeholders, and become more active and effective in outreach and community engagement. Our objective is to provide continuous air quality monitoring sensors that detect PM2.5 and Total Volatile Organic Carbons (TVOCs), the pollutants of concern identified by the community as hazardous and threatening to their health. Data for the targeted pollutants will be assessed via a secure online portal. Our work aims to improve the health of the people and communities where this project is being implemented.
Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 HBCU Environmental Justice Media Internship
Application deadline is July 31, 2025
You have the unique opportunity to make a difference by diving into environmental justice media advocacy. You’ll be working to amplify the voices of vulnerable communities in our state who are adversely impacted by pollution and environmental challenges.
This experience is about learning how to use media to create real change and advocate for healthier, more sustainable communities. Join us to make your voice heard and help protect Louisiana’s future!
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