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As environmental justice and law nonprofit, we are excited to support systems-change that strengthen environmental justice outcomes. This can include:
Building Connections
Legal “Translation” + Bridging Information
Researching, Strategizing, and Educating about Legal and Policy Levers
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We can provide any of this support to nonprofits, coalitions, residents, and municipalities at no-cost. Please reach out today and let’s get to work.
Ohio has recently passed legislation that will protect activists against SLAPP suits - so what are these suits and why is this legislation so important?
SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These are lawsuits aimed at silencing criticism and draining the resources of those who speak up against certain organizations.
An Environmental Justice Advisory Board (EJAB) is a group that advises government agencies on issues related to environmental justice, ensuring that policies and actions address the needs and concerns of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental harms. These boards play a crucial role in promoting fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in environmental decision-making processes.
We hope this blog can help shed some light on what Chevron was, why it was created, and how environmental advocates may be able to fill the gaps left in its place.
Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services would like to highlight these twenty-four champions of the environment in honor of Women’s History Month 2024. The Climate Crisis is not gender neutral—uplifting the voices of women and non-binary environmentalists is crucial to building sustainable environmental justice and conservation efforts. We want to take the time to celebrate the contributions of these amazing advocates and the inspiration they continue to provide us with to live in harmony with our planet and fiercely protect the places where we live, work, and play.
The Water Works dam is scheduled to be removed by December 2023 with the total cost of the removal expected to be $3,225,500. As the Limited Environmental Review states, the project is to be funded by the Ohio EPA through its Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) and the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments. To learn more about the Warren Water Works Dam removal or the Mahoning River Corridor Revitalization Plan. . .
In April of 2020, due to COVID-19 lockdowns, many Sunshine Laws were indefinitely suspended throughout the country. Courtrooms began to hold virtual hearings and trials over telecommunication platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Teams. The Ohio Office of Attorney General announced, “… with the COVID-19 pandemic persisting, the General Assembly passed House Bill 197 and then H.B. 404, giving public bodies the ability to meet virtually instead of in person, as required by Ohio’s Open Meetings Act (R.C. 121.22).” Public bodies were no longer required to hold in-person meetings, hearings, and trials; rather, many public meetings and hearings became virtual. While numerous states have reinstated their Open Meeting/Sunshine Laws, others have continued to utilize telecommunications and hold most of their meetings, trials, and hearings virtually.
On June 30th, the Supreme Court weakened the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to protect the environment. In West Virginia v. EPA, a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts and joined by the other conservative justices, the Court ruled the EPA overreached in its efforts to curb air pollution. This decision forebodes more significant limitations on the EPA and other government agencies’ efforts to effectuate change. The ruling also makes clear what many environmental advocates already knew: the federal government, as currently designed, will not be the leader in the fight against climate change. Grassroots movements, community-oriented advocacy, and mass mobilization are essential in the effort to protect the planet, now more than ever.
