April 18, 2023
On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day by championing environmental protections and increasing awareness on the threats facing our planet and communities. Critical to all our environmental work and to this conversation are the people who experience social and environmental disparities in our region. The Port of Seattle asked several community groups what environmental justice means to them and how they see it reflected in their work with the Port.
Crystal Brown, Executive Director, Cultivate South Park
“Recognizing that Earth is both the mother and father of all living things — we are only a small part of its offspring which is nurtured and supported here. How humans treat the environment is critical to the wellbeing of us all.
How have I seen it in action working with the Port:
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The Duwamish River People's Park and Shoreline Habitat restoration is a great example of the Port’s purposeful healing efforts towards community and environment
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The Port is a leader in our country on the use of sustainable aviation fuels (including recent work done to fund aviation biofuels)
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The Port's partnerships and support with local community-organizations”
Edwin Hernandez, Executive Director, Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association
“The worldwide development of infrastructure and the rapid development of technological and scientific innovations do not go hand in hand with greater equity and social inclusion.
Our organization Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association (DVSA) advances racial justice by fostering our commitment to professional growth and opportunities for people who are systematically ignored, possibly in ways rooted in racial bias and xenophobia. DVSA firmly believes that "knowledge is power" and our programs seek to be resilient, empathetic, inclusive, multiculturally represented, seeking the participation and integration of the most racially-affected communities. To build POWER and CAPACITY in our community, we reach out to them in their own languages where they can freely convey their needs, requirements, solutions, and recommendations to us.
I was a member of the Port Community Action Team (PCAT) and I witnessed how all the personnel of the Port of Seattle gave their maximum support for the implementation and approval of resolution 3767, which has the following objectives in favor of the Duwamish Valley community:
- Environmental care and community health
- Develop capacity building
- Economic prosperity of the community
From all this, our organization, DVSA has received a lot of support from the Port of Seattle, allowing our young people to continue their education and in turn giving us the opportunity to develop our projects such as:
- the solar project in the Duwamish River People’s Park focused on clean energy
- the biodigester project to settle in South Park to provide a sustainable solution to the organic waste generated in the South Park community
- to use the Duwamish River Community Hub where we hold our training workshops and community events”
Ian Bright, Member, Georgetown Youth Council
“To me, environmental justice is fighting for a clean, healthy, and bright future. I've seen the Port of Seattle take action through community engagement, communication, and funding.”
Environmental programs and activities are not just limited to their impact on our planet directly but to the people who have felt the injustices from the plans and ambitions of others. We believe improving our world and our communities go hand-in-hand.
