How can we help those who are facing water-based injustice? Check out our first article to read about the topic, as we outline in this part how to take action to tackle these injustices.
1. Urge your local representatives to invest in water justice and solutions
Food and Water Watch states, “We need a major federal investment in our public water infra- structure to ensure universal access to safe and clean water. Congress must act and create a dedicated source of federal funding for our drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to repair aging systems, stop sewage backups and overflows, remove lead pipes, improve school drinking water, help households address contaminated wells and outdated septic systems, and prevent water shutoffs because of unaffordable water bills. The federal government should prioritize funding to disadvantaged communities and communities with the greatest water quality problems and affordability challenges.
The way we are funding our water infrastructure today is not sustainable or equitable. Reliance on regressive water user fees and individual responsibility for household septic tanks and wells perpetuates and exacerbates inequality and unequal access to safe and clean water. A robust federal funding pro- gram will ease this burden and can redistribute costs through a more progressive funding stream.”
2. Support organizations like the Clean Water Action, who highlight environmental racism around the world and in the US.
3. Sign petitions and raise awareness!
Here are some links to petitions in the US for legislation that will aim to protect the environment and uplift water justice.
Minnesota Frontlines Communities Protection Act
Shut down Minneapolis Trash Burner
Rhode Island Environmental Justice Act
4. Embrace collective action
Embracing collective action means to facilitate community conversation and commit to becoming an advocate. By becoming an advocate for any social justice issue, we become one step closer to eradicating institutional injustices. Solving these deeply-embedded problems is not an easy task, but it can be accomplished with collective action.
