What Is CEJF?
The Community Environmental Justice Forum (CEJF) is a nonprofit coalition of grassroots organizations, academic institutions, and civic leaders dedicated to addressing the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by lowincome, Indigenous, and peopleofcolor communities. Founded in 2015, CEJF operates at the intersection of environmental protection, social equity, and public health, providing a platform where voices most affected by pollution, climate change, and landuse decisions can shape policies that determine their futures.
Mission & Core Values
CEJFs mission is to empower marginalized neighborhoods to secure clean air, safe water, and healthy ecosystems by fostering inclusive decisionmaking, advancing sciencedriven advocacy, and cultivating longterm community resilience. The organizations work is guided by four core values:
- Equity: Prioritizing the needs of those most harmed by environmental degradation.
- Collaboration: Leveraging the strengths of diverse partners to amplify impact.
- Transparency: Ensuring open data sharing and honest communication.
- Resilience: Building adaptive capacity to confront climate risks and social challenges.
Key Initiatives
1. Community Air Monitoring
CEJF installs lowcost air sensors in neighborhoods adjacent to highways, factories, and waste sites. Data are uploaded to a publicly accessible dashboard, allowing residents to track pollutant levels in real time and compare them with state standards.
2. Clean Water Advocacy
Through a partnership with local water districts, CEJF conducts testing for lead, PFAS, and emerging contaminants. The findings inform petitions for upgraded filtration systems and stricter discharge regulations.
3. Youth Climate Leadership
A summer program brings highschool students into handson projectsranging from tree planting to GIS mapping of heat islands. Participants receive mentorship, certification, and a platform to present their work to city council.
4. Policy & Legal Support
CEJF provides technical assistance to community groups filing complaints under the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and state environmental statutes. This includes drafting comment letters, preparing scientific briefs, and connecting plaintiffs with environmental law firms.
5. Equitable Recovery after Disasters
Following hurricanes, wildfires, or industrial accidents, CEJF mobilizes rapidassessment teams to document environmental impacts, assist with FEMA applications, and advocate for rebuilding that prioritizes green infrastructure and affordable housing.
Impact Stories
Southside Air Quality Project (2022) Residents of the Southside district, historically burdened by a coalfired power plant, collaborated with CEJF to install 20 sensors. The data revealed a 30% higher concentration of fine particulate matter than neighboring areas. Armed with this evidence, the community secured a settlement that required the plant to install modern scrubbers and invest $2million in nearby green spaces.
Midtown Water Justice Campaign (2023) After CEJFs testing uncovered unsafe lead levels in old housing stock, the city approved a $4.5million grant to replace lead service lines in three targeted neighborhoods, protecting an estimated 8,000 residents, most of whom are children under six.
Climate Futures Youth Summit (2024) Over 150 youth from five counties presented climate action plans developed during CEJFs leadership program. Two proposalsurban canopy expansion and community solar microgridswere adopted into the municipal climate action roadmap.
How You Can Get Involved
CEJF welcomes participation at every level. Here are a few ways to join the movement:
- Volunteer: Help with sensor installations, data entry, or community outreach events.
- Donate: Contributions support sensor procurement, legal aid, and youth scholarships. Even a $25 monthly pledge can fund a sensor for a year.
- Partner: Organizations can collaborate on joint research, policy briefs, or grant proposals.
- Educate: Share CEJF resources with neighbors, teachers, and local officials to raise awareness.
Resources & Publications
CEJF provides an extensive library of openaccess materials to help communities understand and address environmental injustices:
Contact Information
Email: info@cejforum.org
Phone: (555) 1234567
Address: 1200 Greenway Plaza, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78701
