Join us on Tuesday, March 10 to urge Santa Barbara County Supervisors to consider resident feedback and fully address all environmental challenges facing the communities most affected.
Low-income communities and communities of color often bear the brunt of the climate crisis, facing more severe environmental hazards with fewer resources. Santa Barbara County is required by state law to adopt an Environmental Justice (EJ) Element that addresses environmental inequities. The EJ Element must set clear objectives to reduce pollution, improve air quality, provide safe homes, expand public facilities, and prioritize programs that meet the specific needs of the communities most affected.
The Planning Commission recommended adopting the draft EJ Element last November, but the draft has not yet incorporated feedback from the communities it is meant to serve. Without residents’ input, the plan risks falling short of state guidelines and failing to address the full range of environmental burdens. This is why we need your voice. By sharing your perspective, you can help ensure the EJ Element is strong, enforceable, and responsive to the people it is meant to protect.