Water Justice Program
Recognizing that communities along the Gulf Coast Region are collectively exposed to but uniquely challenged by climate change, DSCEJ aims to positively contribute to equitable water management decisions in the region.
Project Overview
The predicted effects of climate change being severest on predominantly African American and low-wealth communities in the Gulf Region compel action to ensure that communities are able to effectively participate in the management of their public water systems. Human health and safety are dependent on these systems that provide drinking water, monitor groundwater usage, assess surface water quality, and either divert or drain flood water.
Through the increased intensity and frequency of climate-induced disasters in recent years, it has become clear that our water systems in the Gulf Region are poorly managed and operated and are fraught with aging and neglected equipment.
Consequently, significant health and safety risks for Gulf coastal residents result from:
Unsafe drinking water
Inadequate flood control
Migration of toxic chemicals in stormwater
Overuse of groundwater leading to land subsidence
Additionally, water utilities, which consume massive amounts of fossil fuel-generated electricity, are also contributing to the problem of power plant pollution that harms our health and warms our planet. Incorporating climate resilience into the management of water systems and switching them to efficient and renewable energy alternatives are at nascent stages and occurring mostly outside of the Gulf Region. Yet, even with these progressive efforts to make water utilities climate ready, there is scant attention to ensuring that the input and concerns of vulnerable communities are included in these efforts.
Water Justice Training Institute
In April 2021, the DSCEJ launched the Gulf Water Justice Training Institute, a component of the Gulf Water Justice Project. The Institute consists of a series of six workshops that build the knowledge and research skills of participating community-based organizations to analyze and create a flood risk map and develop a community flood protection plan. Each workshop integrates peer-to-peer learning and hands-on skills development.
The DSCEJ’s aim for the Water Justice Collaborative is to grow the number of Black community organizations advocating for equitable policy solutions to severe flood risks. To this end, the DSCEJ plans to replicate the Gulf Water Justice Project in other regions of the United States through partnerships with community-based organization members of the National Black Environmental Justice Network. The Network or NBEJN is a project of the DSCEJ.
Water Justice Training Institute Convenes Gulf South Community Leaders
In April 2021, the DSCEJ launched the Gulf Water Justice Training Institute, a component of the Gulf Water Justice Project. The Institute consists of a series of six workshops that build the knowledge and research skills of participating community-based organizations to analyze and create a flood risk map and develop a community flood protection plan. Each workshop integrates peer-to-peer learning and hands-on skills development.
The DSCEJ’s aim for the Water Justice Collaborative is to grow the number of Black community organizations advocating for equitable policy solutions to severe flood risks. To this end, the DSCEJ plans to replicate the Gulf Water Justice Project in other regions of the United States through partnerships with community-based organization members of the National Black Environmental Justice Network. The Network or NBEJN is a project of the DSCEJ.
Throughout our two days together, community leaders connected around shared experiences and exchanged strategies for addressing local and regional water challenges. In partnership with the Claiborne Corridor Cultural Innovation District and New Corp, Inc, we co-hosted tours of community-led green stormwater infrastructure projects making a positive impact in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans.
Dr. David Padgett of Tennessee State University demonstrated how communities can document and map flooding hotspots and community assets in need of protection, an important tactic that can be used to spread awareness and advocate for investment.
We closed the convening with discussions around how to stand strong and continue coordinated water and climate policy advocacy. It is a clear fact that water-related challenges driven by climate change will continue to impact communities across the globe. DSCEJ is committed to supporting communities as they rise to the challenge.
Funded by:
Funded by:
Funded by:
