What We Do
Wisconsin for Environmental Justice works to protect people and communities from the growing harms and costs of climate effects, especially when those harms are caused by fossil fuel pollution that residents did not create.
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Our work focuses on accountability, advocacy, and community power.
Demand Accountability for Those Who Cause the Harm
We support efforts to make major fossil fuel companies pay their fair share for the damage they have caused.
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This includes building public support for legal action by the State of Wisconsin, counties, and cities to recover costs tied to climate harms, as many other states and local governments have done across the country (read about current legal cases around the country here).
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We have seen this approach work before. Settlement funds from opioid lawsuits are now helping support mental health services and community recovery efforts across Wisconsin. Similar legal action in climate cases could help ensure that funds are available to protect infrastructure, strengthen communities, and reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
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By demanding accountability, communities may be able to unlock funding needed for adaptation, resilience, and recovery without placing the burden on taxpayers.
Educate and Inform
We provide clear, accessible information about how climate impacts are affecting Wisconsin communities: from health risks and infrastructure stress to rising costs for taxpayers and local governments.
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Many people feel the effects before they understand the causes. We help bridge that gap so more Wisconsinites can see what’s happening, why it matters, and what solutions are possible.
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One way we do this is by sharing research like the Wisconsin Climate Cost Report, which estimates the future costs of climate impacts on communities, public health, and infrastructure.
Center Impacted Communities
Environmental harm and climate costs do not affect all Wisconsinites equally. Some neighborhoods and demographic groups (especially Tribal Nations, rural and agriculturally focused communities, low-income communities, and communities of color) face greater health risks, infrastructure challenges, and economic strain.
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We work to elevate the voices of people and communities who are most heavily impacted, ensuring their experiences and leadership shape solutions.
Build Coalitions and Collective Action
We collaborate with local partners, community organizations, and concerned individuals across Wisconsin to build collective momentum for environmental justice. This includes people from all walks of life - from farmers and faith groups, to youth activists and civic leaders.
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Collective action is essential to changing how decisions are made and who pays the true cost of climate impacts.