On her last day, Dominique sat down with us to share a little about what she did and learned during her time here. Click here to view this short interview. 

Today, April 22, marks the 44th year of Earth Day. And while we are grateful to have a day that invites us to consider our Great Mother,we know that conditions have worsened worldwide since 1970.  Land, air, water quality throughout the world have been compromised largely by practices of industrial pollutors.  Science now informs us of the connection between industrial CO2 and methane emissions and climate destabilization, which has led to some of the most extreme weather events experienced in modern history; weather events that have harmed people and families, destroyed communities, disrupted ecosystems, bankrupted economies and displaced many.  [Continue reading...] 

• Build Relationships: Build relationships, develop the movement and facilitate ongoing communication of youth and young adult frontline community members committed to ecological well-being by sharing vision, analysis, critique, solutions, stories, strategies, victories, challenges and lessons learned. 
• Expand the Base: Expand the base of youth and young adult participants and allies in the Just Transition campaign of CJA and evolve the campaign around their participation.
• Share Strategies and Skills:  Through grassroots skills-shares, youth leadership and leadership development, intergenerational sharing, popular education and more, we will build our capacity to win on our own terms, building on our strengths. 
• Show Our Power: Develop shared action plans and external communications that advance and interconnect local struggles through shared vision, strategies and frames. Support key frontline fights in Southeast Michigan through actions at the gathering, before and beyond, that demonstrates Our Power. 

Detroit Specific Goals

• Highlight and build Our Power Detroit: Highlight Detroit’s strategies for bringing about a just transition locally and beyond.
• Strengthen local leadership: Provide opportunities to expand and support Detroit youth and young adult leadership in environmental and climate justice movements. And create a space for them to strengthen their knowledge, voice and leadership for a movement that requires the participation of impacted community members of all ages for broader and deeper change.

Today, April 22, marks the 44th year of Earth Day. And while we are grateful to have a day that invites us to consider our Great Mother,we know that conditions have worsened worldwide since 1970.  Land, air, water quality throughout the world have been compromised largely by practices of industrial pollutors.  Science now informs us of the connection between industrial CO2 and methane emissions and climate destabilization, which has led to some of the most extreme weather events experienced in modern history; weather events that have harmed people and families, destroyed communities, disrupted ecosystems, bankrupted economies and displaced many. 

On November 21, 2007, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed an environmental justice directive that recognized that "state government has an obligation to advance policies that foster environmental justice, social well-being, and economic progress."  This directive has not only stalled over the past 7 years, but the conditions have actually worsened. For example, on April 1, a series of bills was signed into law that allow the use of eminent domain--by companies--for the purpose of siting and constructing pipelines to carry carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery or carbon sequestration.  This law is harmful to the environment and the people who depend on it in several ways, including damage resulting from leakage and the fact that someone can destroy the land as part of a profit-making scheme.   Other examples of human health and environmental destruction facilitated abound in and around Detroit, including the toxic soup of industries in SW Detroit, the Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal expansion, construction of a new bridge feeding into SW Detroit, proposed I-94 highway expansion, 3.1 mile trolley with a way station in the North End community, Detroit incinerator, Chrysler plant and numerous other polluting industries. 

There are many people and groups challenging these initiatives and companies directly and indirectly; together and alone.  The struggles around environmental justice and climate destabilization intersect with struggles around food, land, water access, privatization, gentrification, health, education and more.  Just as there are those "fighting against," there are many "fighting for" and "creating new."  Knowing what we are living in and up against can be heavy.  And conversely, knowing that we work alongside some of the toughest, most seasoned organizers, activists, concerned citizens, visionaries and more, we are encouraged and have tremendous hope. 

In honoring Mother Earth, we take time to acknowledge the pain and trauma that comes from breathing air that is polluted, eating food that is modified, having public spaces and the commons privatized and more. We acknowledge this. We also--perhaps simultaneously--draw strength and courage to define characteristics of a society that values life, map pathways to this new society, this new world, and begin building that world now.

It is in this way that we honor our Mother.  

The University of Michigan has sent us some pretty wonderful Interns over the past few years. And we are proud and honored for this trend to have continued with Dominique Mathews, who wrapped up her time with us last week. Dominique worked closely with the Young Educators Alliance to delve into a variety of social and environmental issues. In her closing interview, Dominique shares a bit about what she learned and experienced. 

We are glad to announce that not only will she soon graduate with a dual major in African American and Women's Studies, but she will also return to EMEAC in June as a 350.org Fossil Free Fellow.  When she returns, Dominique will help us continue planning the Our Power gathering, June 27-30, which is a national and local convening--of mainly youth and young adults--aimed at scaling up their leadership in the environmental and climate justice movements. 

While our allies are here, we are hosting a couple of additional events aimed at bringing together local and national allies, friends, supporters and neighbors.  Please mark your calendars!

REVISED 4/9/14 at 5:04pm
Movement-building organizers and activists from Detroit will engage GGJ members and friends in an intergenerational conversation about Detroit's history, the current crises facing the city, and how local organizers are using the frame of a Just Transition to build a stronger and more resilient city. Panel participants will share how their work challenges existing inequities and issues, while offering new solutions and building community resilience. Confirmed panelists include: Rhonda Anderson (Community activist and Sierra Club Detroit), Shane Bernardo (Earthworks Urban Garden), Antonio Cosme (Graffiti artist, gardener, activist, organizer), Kezia Curtis (Fender Bender Detroit), Vincent Martin (Community resident and activist), and Reverend Joan Ross (North End Woodward Community Coalition). National and international respondents will comment on what they will have heard and draw connections with national and international work and movements. EMEAC Co-Director Ife Kilimanjaro will serve as moderator.