Take Action
Five Things You Can Do to Help Achieve Environmental Justice
1. Learn about pollution sources in your neighborhood.
See our Advocacy Resources page to find out how.
2. Speak out.
Check these sites to find out about pending agency decisions and opportunities for public comment. Contact us if you are concerned about a specific issue that we haven’t listed here. Keep in mind that multiple agencies can be involved with any particular issue.
- Air Pollution – For so-called “stationary sources,” such as refineries, gas stations, and auto body shops, contact your local air district. For most “mobile sources,” such as cars and trucks, contact the California Air Resources Board. Some mobile sources are regulated by the federal government. For issues related to ships, airplanes, and trains, contact the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- Climate Change – In California, the Air Resources Board has primary responsibility for climate change issues.
- Water Pollution – If you’re concerned about drinking water quality, contact the California Department of Public Health. If you’re concerned about surface or ground water pollution, contact your local water quality control board.
- Contaminated Sites – The California Department of Toxic Substances Control and your local water quality control board are responsible for the cleanup of contaminated sites. If it’s a former gas station, it’s probably the water board. If it’s something else, it’s usually hard to tell and you have to ask which agency is responsible for any particular site.
- Cal/EPA Environmental Complaint Form – If you know about someone who you think has violated an environmental law, fill out the Cal/EPA Environmental Complaint Form.
- Cal/EPA Customer Service Form – If you would like to let Cal/EPA know about their performance, fill out the Cal/EPA Customer Service Form.
3. Attend an event.
4. Join our email discussion group list.
5. Get involved with the California Environmental Rights Alliance.
- Become a member – Show you support by joining CERA. Membership is free! Download our membership application and send it in today.
- Donate – Your gifts make our work possible! See our Ways to Give page to learn how to contribute.