Leaders of color throughout the state are coming together and asking you to support Initiative 1631, Washington’s Clean Air and Clean Energy Initiative.
While everyone in Washington state will be affected by climate change, a report released this year found that the state’s most vulnerable people are often communities of color, indigenous people and lower-income communities. Knowing frontline communities experience more pollution, leaders came together to help write I-1631 to hold big polluters accountable and invest in equitable and clean solutions for our communities and our children’s future.
Initiative 1631 was created through a collaborative process to ensure that Washington takes the important step of reducing climate pollution and investing directly in solutions that would benefit communities that are most impacted by climate pollution.
“Our communities know this will work for all of us because we helped to write it. “ said Tiffany Mendoza, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Front & Centered, an environmental justice coalition of over 60 community of color led organizations.
While big oil made billions in profits last year. Now they’re using those profits to deceive voters about initiative 1631, hiding the fact they can afford to clean up our air and water—without raising prices on consumers. The truth is: 1631 holds the largest polluters in the state accountable covering 80% of all pollution. It will make clean energy more affordable, improve public health, and help create 41,000 good-paying Washington jobs. 1631 is a smart investment for our future.
“Big Oil has now invested more than 21 million dollars of its own money to spread misinformation and stop solutions that would benefit our frontline communities. That is why leaders of color have come together to share personal testimonials on why they support I-1631. Our leaders won’t let Big Oil speak for us”.
Below are some testimonials of why leaders of color are supporting I-1631:
“1631 is a model of hope. It was created through a collaborative process to ensure that communities on the frontline of climate impacts are at the table towards a transition to a cleaner future.”
– Estela Ortega, Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza
“An extraordinarily broad and diverse coalition has come together to write and pass Initiative 1631. It reflects a sense of togetherness and conviction to come to a solution – something our divided society badly needs.”
– Kurtis Robinson, President Spokane NAACP Chapter
“Our way of life is being destroyed by climate change impacts… 1631 respects tribal treaties and promises justice for those who have least contributed to climate change but are most affected by it.”
– Johnny Buck, Native Youth Leadership Alliance
“As a lifelong advocate for social justice, I endorse I-1631. This initiative tackles climate change through the lens of communities bearing the heaviest burdens of air pollution…The upshot: green jobs, bill savings, and better living conditions for all through mandatory investments in projects benefiting socially disadvantaged communities.”
– Tony Lee, Co-Chair of King County Asian Pacific Islander Coalition & Former Advocacy Director of Solid Ground
For more information and testimonials, please visit: https://frontandcentered.org/
If you would like additional information, in-language information or be connected with someone for an interview, please contact Tiffany:
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