Clean Air, Clean Lungs, Clean Buses Campaign

Science Now:Earth's greenhouse gas levels approach 400-ppm milestone

Crystal McMillan — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:47:53 -0700

Scientists have spoken frequently over the last decade warning of the rising levels of "greenhouse gases" in earth's atmosphere. The increase in these gases has been linked to higher surface tempatures, increased storm activity and rising sea levels. As Science Now reports, these gases are about to reach a milestone high not seen on this planet since the Pliocene era.

On March 5th Vote No on LA's Measure A

Eric Romann — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:28:13 -0800

On March 5th, LA voters are being asked to pay another regressive sales tax, Measure A, which will generate another $215 million to cover the city's budget deficit

Coalition still fighting against the Keystone XL pipeline

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:29:00 -0800

On February 17th environmental groups from all over North America gathered for a historic rally in Washington D.C. for climate justice. The Bus Riders Union, Idle No More, Sierra Club and many others marched here in Los Angeles in solidarity with the groups in Washington. Part of the rally was used to bring attention to continuing opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline.

A statement from CJA on Superstorm Sandy

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:42:56 -0800

The attached document is the statement that CJA/Just Transition Campaign groups are putting out post Sandy. It has evolved out of 2 different pieces that Ife, Kandi, and Movement Generation had drafted. It includes a new quote from a Grassroots Intl partner from Haiti and it names us as community groups & movements engaged in developing a Just Transition campaign.

Indigenous leaders rejecting California REDD hold governor responsible for their safety

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:36:38 -0700

An article from our allies in the Indigenous Environmental Network as they confront California lawmakers about the inclusion of REDD in CA's Global Warming Solution Act. California is shaping policy that will affect not only local but international solutions to the growing crisis of climate change.

Alternet:Transit Justice Providing Service and Shipping out Greenhouse Gases

Crystal McMillan — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:20:33 -0700

Alternet takes a look at the Bus Riders Union as part of the series, Facing the Climate Gap , which looks at grassroots efforts in California low-income communities of color to address climate change and promote climate justice.

Environmental movement mourns the loss of Barry Commoner 1917-2012

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:57:32 -0700

Barry Commoner, who inspired a generation or three of left radical environmentalists, died in New York on September 30th. He was a founder of the modern environmental movement, an anti-war activist, and a powerful critic of capitalism.

Extreme weather buffets US and World

Crystal McMillan — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:34:40 -0700

Extreme weather, here and around the world, is keeping the discussion about climate change going. As we move into an election year, GOP pundits are ramping up their "climate denial" rhetoric.

‘Crazy-hot’ US heatwave matches climate scientist warnings"

Crystal McMillan — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:20:53 -0700

Simon Butler of Climate Change/Social Change examines the latest weather as the United States was hit by freak storms, intense heatwaves, prolonged drought, huge floods and out-of-control bushfires that have burnt out more than 2.1 million acres.

Sign Now! GGJ Petition: US State Dept "No Greed Economy at Rio +20!"

Sunyoung Yang — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 10:55:25 -0700

June 5th starts a Week of Action leading up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development on June 20th. Grassroots Global Justice is calling on all its allies to sign a petition to the US State department rejecting the false solutions of a "Green Economy"

Native Americans Applaud President Obama’s decision rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Francisca Porchas — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:23:28 -0800

Tribal leaders and Native organizations from the United States and Canada are standing together today pleased that President Barack Obama is acknowledging his pledge to listen to the voices of this countries' original people, by rejecting the Transcanada Keystone XL pipeline. "This is one battle won for our Mother Earth," said Clayton Thomas-Muller, campaign coordinator with Clean Air ally Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign.

Indigenous Peoples Condemn Climate Talks Fiasco and Demand Moratoria on REDD+

Sunyoung Yang — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:52:29 -0800

Indigenous leaders returning from Durban, South Africa condemn the fiasco of the United Nations climate change talks and demand a moratorium on a forest carbon offset scheme called REDD+ which they say threatens the future of humanity and Indigenous Peoples' very survival. During the UN climate negotiations, a Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities against REDD+ and for Life was formed to bring attention to the lack of full recognition of Indigenous rights being problematic in the texts of the UN climate negotiations.

Report: Climate Justice from South Africa to LA City Hall

Eric Romann — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:40:24 -0800

Joining forces with Communities for a Better Environment, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, and Physicians for Social Responsibility-LA, the BRU marched to demand the Mayor and the MTA "Expanding the bus system, not the 710 freeway. Meanwhile, BRU organizer Francisca Porchas is representing Grassroots Global Justice Alliance and Transit Riders for Public Transportation in Durban, building our connections with the international climate justice movement.

Coalition letter to LA Mayor & MTA on Climate Justice: Expand the Bus System, not the I-710 Freeway

Eric Romann — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:11:43 -0800

The BRU, Communities for a Better Environment, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, and Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles have sent this letter to Mayor Villaraigosa and the Board of Directors of MTA calling for swift action on climate change. We demand restoration and expansion of bus service and a halt to the multi-billion dollar expansion of the I-710 freeway as two immediate actions that would benefit the health and well-being of LA's low income communities of color while reducing LA's carbon footprint.

Statement of Indigenous Environmental Network on the Obama Administration decision on Keystone XL Pipeline

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:48:20 -0800

Mother Earth Achieves a Victory Today with Obama Administration Decision to Delay the Keystone XL Pipeline Decision. Read the statement from Clean Air allies The Indigenous Environmental Network in the latest victory against Big Oil!

Launching a Clean Air University

Sunyoung Yang — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:49:54 -0700

With our recent victory securing the Wilshire Bus Only Lanes, we've made it a priority to continue building an organized constituency of low-income bus riders who have the knowledge and commitment to intervene in public health and environmental policies that connect with mass transit.

Call out for Climate Justice in California!

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:51:30 -0700

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LA Times, KPCC, ABC, NBC & more: BRU victory on Wilshire bus lanes makes a media splash

Crystal McMillan — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:39:20 -0700

After six years of campaigning, the Wilshire Boulevard Bus-Only Lanes project took an important step forward, with the Los Angeles City Council voting to approve the project and move it forward.

BRU and broad coalition of allies win major breakthrough on Wilshire Bus Lanes at Los Angeles City Council

Sunyoung Yang — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:32:07 -0700

After six years of campaigning, the BRU scored a major environmental victory today: the Wilshire Boulevard Bus-Only Lanes won the resounding approval from the LA City Council and cleared the last major political hurdle for it to become reality

Open Letter to MTA Board & LA City Council: Planners support complete 8.7 mile Wilshire Bus Rapid Transit Project

Eric Romann — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:48:48 -0700

Planners from UCLA, USC and across the city weigh in on Bus-Only Lanes debate with a clear message: the complete 8.7 mile project is clearly the best choice.

Clean Air youth reflects on his experiences at Power Shift 2011

Ronald Collins — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:10:32 -0700

For me as a youth of color, Power Shift 2011 was an inspiring and effective space for two major reasons: it gave me a chance to really start to build with youth from other grassroots organizations, and it allowed me to gain insight into the Environmental Justice movement as a whole.

A strange day at City Council ends in a stalemate for the Wilshire BOL

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:01:34 -0700

With the battle lines drawn, the 5-member committee could not agree on any option and ended the meeting taking no action at all.

Call to Action: Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes at City Council Tomorrow!

Eric Romann — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:09:12 -0700

We need a strong showing from the broad coalition we have built for this project to come out tomorrow, Wednesday, June 8th at 2PM at the City Council Room 1010.

Westside Rally in support of the Wilshire Bus Only Lane

Crystal McMillan — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:05:56 -0700

Tuesday in West Los Angeles we rallied in support of the Bus Only Lane. This project will substantially improve service for 35,000 transit riders on Wilshire Boulevard, saving as many as 30 minutes of travel time each day, totaling 130 hours of travel time savings for each rider over the course of a year. If an estimated 10% of drivers on Wilshire leave their cars at home and switch to the bus (2,000 cars during rush hour!), we will reduce 22,000 tons of carbon emissions and 2,500 tons of criteria pollutants annually.

Keep all $24 million of the federal funding and all 9 miles of the Wilshire Bus Only Lanes!!

Crystal McMillan — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:02:26 -0700

The fate of the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project will be determined this May at the Los Angeles City Council and the Metro Board. We need you all to raise hell that LA should not compromise this decade long transportation project and the federal funding that we fought so hard to get.

Tom Goldtooth on Canada’s Tar Sands strip mining

Eric Mann — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:34:12 -0700

Tom Goldtooth of Indigenous Environmental Network on Canada’s Tar Sands strip mining

Ash-Lee Henderson on Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Eric Mann — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:14:59 -0700

Ash-Lee Henderson on Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Bill Gallegos on Climate Change Cap and Trade

Eric Mann — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:57:53 -0700

Bill Gallegos, Executive Director of Communities for A Better Environment, updates us on CBE's recent Climate Change Victory against Cap and Trade.

The Chevron Saga in Ecuador Halted for Now

Tina Hsu — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:06:33 -0800

Chevron continues to get away with large-scale environmental pollution in Ecuador as a U.S. judge has just granted a halt in the enforcement of a $18 billion judgement with complete evidence to back-up. This has been an 18-year battle to receive justice for the environmental crimes of this oil corporation.

At WSF Dakar, Ambassador Solon, Bolivians outreach to build climate justice movement for COP17 Durban and Rio+20

Daniel Kim — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:23:22 -0800

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Rio+20 and the rush to sell nature's invisible labor

Daniel Kim — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:23:21 -0800

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MTA - No Matter How You Spin it, You're Rolling Back Civil Rights

Esperanza Martinez — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:34:48 -0800

As MTA prepares to cut another set of over 300,000 hours of bus service, the Bus Riders Union has been on the offensive. Read on to see how despite how MTA slices it, their proposed service cuts and recent fare increases are rolling back Civil Rights!

Action Alert: Wednesday 1/12/11! LA City Council Transportation Committee proposes to eliminate Westside portion of BOL!

Gabriel Strachota — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:06:10 -0800

Normal 0 Make sure that MC’s announce that the doors of the studio must be closed at all times for energy purposes and we will be fine $100 if they are caught open.

LA Times Editorial Slams BOL westside exemption

Gabriel Strachota — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:40:51 -0800

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Battle for full Bus-Only Lanes continues at City Hall

Gabriel Strachota — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:12:55 -0800

At today's City Council, the 6-year campaign for Wilshire Bus Only Lanes returned to City Hall. We made an excellent showing and came away with a mixed result...

Street Teatro - Star Wars ep I: The Westside Menace

Sunyoung Yang — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:25:20 -0800

Here's the press release for today's action, "Star Wars Episode I: The Westside Menace" where we re-cast the events surrounding the fate of the Wilshire Bus-Only Lane project to the theme of the forces of Good and Evil in the Star Wars universe. The Bus-Only Lanes Jedi Council, consisting of Bus Riders Union, environmentalists, transportation advocates, and students, held a press conference, action and street theatre this morning in front of the County Supervisors Building...

Testimonies from January 12 City Transportation Committee Meeting

Tina Hsu — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:09:27 -0800

On Wednesday, January 12, our allies mobilized and demanded that Councilmember Rosendahl not exempt the Westside from the BOL project plan. We put on a united front in support of BOL while only 3 Westside residents voiced their opposition to BOL. Read the words of our allies!

Action Alert: Weds. 2/2! LA City Council will discuss the elimination of the Westside portion of Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes!

Sunyoung Yang — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:15:23 -0800

This is a further chipping away of the gains that were made in the last 6 years. This new proposal can compromise the entire funding ($23.5 million) from the FTA-they were generous with the Condo Canyon exemption but most likely this will bring other repercussions...

Rosendahl Continues Action to Remove Westside BOL

Tina Hsu — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:46:18 -0800

Westside bus-only lanes threaten to be cut even more as Bill Rosendahl moves to exempt the 1.8 mile section in Brentwood. Read this LA Streetsblog article outlining the meeting process and the repercussions of this exemption.

LA Times Editorial Slams BOL westside exemption

Tina Hsu — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:47:37 -0800

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Bolivia rejects Copenhagen Accord II

Tina Hsu — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:04:58 -0800

From Cancún this year, it was clear that many nations would rather compromise the lives of citizens around the world than take action to curb carbon emissions. Read for more in-depth reasoning for why Bolivia, the only voice of dissent, was against the final U.N. climate agreements from the COP16.

Cancún 2010 Review: Civil Society Shut Out of Summit

Tina Hsu — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:37:39 -0800

Watch these segments from DemocracyNow! from the COP16 climate negotiations in Cancún. These are highlights of the actions and activism around the conference and how civil society was shut out of this supposedly democratic conference

Inadequate results from Cancún; Bolivia was lone voice for climate justice

Tina Hsu — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:26:42 -0800

Results from Cancún were disappointing, not requiring developed nations to take action to solve this current climate crisis. Bolivia stood out as a dissenting voice from accepting the inadequate document, but was not enough to make an impact. Read this blog from Climate Connections for more analysis.

Major Wilshire Bus Only Lanes Victory!!

Esperanza Martinez — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:36:41 -0800

After a 5-year struggle - MTA Approves Final EIR for the Wilshire BOL: Project to bring substantial transit & environmental benefits to LA County! Yesterday's MTA Board vote was a historic one for the 500,000 Black, Latino and working class bus riders of Los Angeles who will soon enough benefit from the time savings and reduction air pollution and green house gas emissions projected by the implementation of the Wilshire Bus Only Lanes project. The project is projected to get at least 2000 people out of their cars onto the bus!

Letter to MTA: Refuting Condo Canyon exemption argument

Eric Romann — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:10:35 -0800

We also wanted to share with you the letter we just sent to the MTA Board urging them not to cave to the white, wealthy NIMBYs in Condo Canyon and to maintain the full 8.7 mile Bus-Only. We scoured MTA's EIR on the project and the private study paid for by the Condo Canyon NIMBYs...

A new target to push Wilshire BOL forward

Eric Romann — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:27:23 -0800

Here's a quick update. As you know, the MTA is considering compromising the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes project by caving to the demand of wealthy homeowners in Condo Canyon to remove their section of Wilshire from the BOL plan. Other groups of wealthy Westside residents have gotten word of this and gone on the offensive against the bus-only lanes.

Who is being affected? The fight for Wilshire BOL next Thursday!

Eric Romann — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:30:22 -0800

We are at a critical stage in the long struggle to win a Bus-Only Lane (BOL) on Wilshire Boulevard. Let's be clear: In spite of the speculative numbers being put out by Supervisor Yaroslavsky, there is no hard evidence that supports the removal of this section from the BOL route - the traffic impacts of the BOL are the same as anywhere else along the route; the only difference is who is being impacted.

Call Zev Yaroslavsky to Support the Bus-Only Lane!

Tina Hsu — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:00:57 -0800

We need your help! Come to the next MTA meeting or call LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky to support the bus-only lanes and not exempt the Condo Canyon section!

Come out to the MTA next Wednesday 1 p.m. to discuss the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project

Tina Hsu — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:55:28 -0800

The Final Environmental Impact Report is out!! This is the final stretch before the project can break ground and we need all the support we can get.

Countdown to Cancun 2010: Getting the lowdown on the upcoming UN Climate Conference

Tina Hsu — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:24:16 -0800

The Clean Air Campaign's plan is to make sure that we, communities of color, the working class, the third world, the Indigenous, and the whole movement for a better environment have a big presence at the climate conference in Cancun to push back on the Obama administration to drop the Copenhagen Accord and adopt the Cochabamba People’s Protocol on Climate Change.

Set-backs to Full Recovery: Aftermath of the BP Oil Spill and Hurricane Katrina

Tina Hsu — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:35:13 -0700

Five years after Hurricane Katrina and six months after the BP oil spill along the Gulf Coast, residents of New Orleans still have not been able to return home. The fishing economy that many depended on for a livelihood has flatlined and homes and schools have not been rebuilt. Watch these two videos that include personal accounts of those affected by these two disasters to understand how these communities continue to be ignored by the federal government.

Rally to Kick Coal and Oil OUT OF LA!

Tina Hsu — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:09:19 -0700

On 10/10/10 join the fight against the oil and coal industry in Los Angeles! L.A. has one of the largest collections of oil refineries in the state, dumping loads of pollution into our air. It’s time to change all this, by getting fossil fuels out of our local energy mix! We don’t want to power our homes with coal-fired electricity. Meet at City Hall to rally with community members and groups from all over L.A. and then march through the city for CicLAvia!

Grab a costume and come to the Clean Air Campaign Halloween Fundraiser Party!

Tina Hsu — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:11:39 -0700

We're planning a night of dancing, costumes and fun to fundraise for the Clean Air, Clean Lungs, Clean Buses Campaign. Come to the First Unitarian Church of LA on Friday, October 29 at 7 pm to support our campaign to improve public transit and create healthier communities!

Voces desde los autobuses

April Wong — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:32:45 -0700

Durante los últimos 4 semanas he organizado para educar y recaudar apoyo sobre el proyecto de carril solo para autobuses de la calle Wilshire.

Designing Cities for People and Transit

Tina Hsu — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:00:58 -0700

This new publication lays out 10 principles for creating sustainable cities. Urbanist Jan Gehl and Walter Hook, Executive Director of the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) compile the main qualities of livable cities, citing examples from around the world in which transit has been integrated into urban design.

The Word on the Street: Bring Bus Only Lanes to Wilshire Blvd!

April Wong — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:54:33 -0700

For the past two weeks Bus Riders Union members and volunteers have been going out on the 720 buses and asking people to write comments of support for the bus only lanes. Find out what people have been saying!

Bus-Only Lanes Around the World: This Stop is Paris

April Wong — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:55:37 -0700

"If buses are moving well, and carrying more people than the car lanes, the bus lane looks empty most of the time. Only a failing or obstructed bus lane looks like it's full of buses. That's why bus lanes such a hard sell in cities run by motorists who want to do the green thing but still form their impressions from behind the wheel."

Turning 4th Street into a Bike Boulevard

Tina Hsu — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:19:50 -0700

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Comment now to ensure Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes get approved!

April Wong — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:39:50 -0700

The draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project has been released for public review! Over the next month until July 26th, MTA will be taking in public comments online and via mail to be included in the official Environmental Impact Report.

World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth

Sunyoung Yang — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:15:09 -0700

On April 19, over 30,000 activists, grassroots social movements, academics, students, indigenous delegates, and government representatives convened in Cochabamba, Bolivia for the first-ever World People´s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. I along with 21 other organizers and activists participated in the events as part of the US Grassroots Global Justice Alliance and Indigenous Environmental Network Delegation.

Breakthroughs in New York--Times Square car-free, Bus Rapid Transit

Evyn Espiritu — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:32:49 -0700

Streetsblog has been highlighting exciting innovations in New York City that parallel our Clean Air efforts in L.A.: bus-only lanes, bus-centered transit and a car-free Times Square! It's exciting to see these projects developing simultaneously across the country.

Clean Air Campaign meets with Councilmembers Labonge and Rosendahl

Sunyoung Yang — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:16:21 -0700

We met with councilmembers Labonge and Rosendahl because their continued leadership is crucial to making sure the Wilshire Bus Only Lanes project is finalized with final EIR approval by the end of this year. Both councilmembers are on the city council's Transportation Committee. Committee Chair Rosendahl assured us that he will work to consolidate the rest of...

Voices from the Front Lines: A Look back at the last 15 years of the fight for Environmental Justice

Monte Marable — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:47:36 -0700

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Fundraising for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Campaign

Channing Martinez — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:58:20 -0800

This year we're working on raising $10,000 to build support around the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Campaign which is so close to victory. To kick off our fundraising effort, we had our first event on Saturday January 30th--Clean Air Campaign Yard Sale.

Clean Air Campaign highlights from 2009

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:19:37 -0800

2009 marks an important harvest of our last 5 years of hard work organizing bus riders, local businesses, public health and community allies and the local elected officials like former councilmember Wendy Greuel and Bill Rosendahl, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. With the full $23.3 million of federal funding secured, the tide has turned to move the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project into reality.

Climate Justice in Review: Early Lessons Fighting Market Driven Environmentalism

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:46:42 -0800

Many of the key lessons of the environmental justice movement from the 80s and 90s fighting market driven policies in local campaigns can illuminate how we can re-shape the discussions around climate solutions in Congress this year.

Cap and Trade Delusion

Sunyoung Yang — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:54:15 -0800

Ever heard of cap and trade or carbon trading? Here's a helpful animated video to help you navigate the basics of market driven false solutions like cap and trade and why ithey should be rejected as a climate change policy.

Jose Bravo: On the betrayals of Copenhagen and the continuing struggle for climate justice

Eric Mann — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:01:16 -0800

The Director of the San Diego-based Just Transition Alliance, just returned from a US grassroots environmental and climate justice delegation to Copenhagen, breaks down why the deal brokered by President Obama in the 11th hour is really no deal at all. What opportunities lie ahead for social movements and government fighting for climate justice?

Interview with Bolivian Climate Change Ambassador Pablo Erick Solon Romero Oroza

Duyen Tran — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:01:55 -0800

Bolivian Climate Change Ambassador Pablo Erick Solon Romero Oroza speaks about an environmental justice platform that Bolivia and many Latin American nations are demanding for as real solutions on climate change.

How Bus-Centered Transit Works in Bogotá

Sunyoung Yang — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:04:55 -0800

There is an excellent 7-minute film that travels to Bogotá, Colombia to show you how the city runs a bus-centered transit system that is modern, inexpensive and efficiently moves 1.3 million people a day, integrating bicycles and auto free zones--and all without relying on rail or subways.

One Step Forward Towards the Bus-Only Lane on Wilshire Boulevard

Gabriel Strachota — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:53:00 -0700

On Tuesday October 13th, the last of the four public scoping meetings was held regarding the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project to hear from the public around their thoughts and concerns around this project.

LA bus riders speak out on why they support the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project

Duyen Tran — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:36:36 -0700

The Bus Riders Union surveyed LA's bus riders on the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes. LA riders overwhelmingly support the Bus-Only Lanes project for its anticipated reduction and greater efficiency in bus travel time and improvements in the city's air quality.

"CRUDE": Indigenous Communities In Ecuador Fight Against Chevron Texaco

Sunyoung Yang — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:58:14 -0700

Clean Air, Clean Lungs, Clean Buses Campaign organizer Sunyoung Yang promotes "CRUDE" for its excellent portrayal of Ecuador's indigenous groups and colonial rainforest dwellers' fight against U.S. oil giant Chevron Texaco.

Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Moves Forward with Environmental Impact Report

Sunyoung Yang — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:47:41 -0700

There are two major breakthroughs for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Campaign this month. First on Wednesday September 22nd the city council approved the recommendations made by L.A. Department of Transportation and the MTA to conduct a full Environmental Impact Report for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project. Secondly, Congress has approved the 2010 budget for transportation which includes the second installment of $13.5 million, awarding a total of $23.3 million of federal funding for the Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes Project.

Cecil Corbin-Mark & Dan Lashof: Breaking down the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Tammy Bang Luu — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:41:02 -0700

Two leading environmental and climate policy advocates break down the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Passed by the House in July, the most important climate bill in a generation moves to the Senate with the backing of the President and energy industry lobbyists. A discussion about what works and what doesn't about the bill.

In the Media Spotlight: BRU Rally at Mayor's Inauguration

Anson Stewart — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:50:35 -0700

BRU's rally at Mayor Villaraigosa's Inauguration yesterday received extensive media coverage. Along with our allies from the South Asian Network, and the Los Angeles Community Action Network, we were calling on the mayor to reduce his prioritization of police funding over social services.

Clean Air Economic Justice Plan

Nicole Eng — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:39:53 -0700

The Bus Riders Union’s Clean Air and Economic Justice Plan is a proposal to greatly expand Los Angeles County’s public transportation infrastructure and to advance a new bus-centered model for urban transportation and economic development. Document download is available now.

Daphne Wysham, Cecil Corbin-Mark, Tom Goldtooth: The American Clean Energy and Security Act and Climate Justice

Tammy Bang Luu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:03:23 -0700

Three leaders in the climate justice movement breakdown the American Clean Energy and Security Act under consideration in Congress right now. Why dangers does this bill, also known as Waxman-Markey, present? What policy alternatives exist and what can activists for climate justice do about it?

Interview with Laura Flanders, Grit TV--Transit operations crisis, 80/20 and the climate future

Francisca Porchas — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:17:27 -0700

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Reflections from the World Social Forum, Belem, Brazil

Sunyoung Yang — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:41:46 -0800

The World Social Forum officially opened with a march. In the heat, in the pouring rain, it was confusion, excitement, celebration, thousands of people packed together in the street. People of all ages danced to the rhythms of the bantucada players (Brazilian street drum corps) while other groups such as the Indigenous delegations from the Andes and the Amazon marched waving the rainbow colored Wiphala flags.

New EPA Chief At WE ACT Conference, What's Our Next Move?

Francisca Porchas — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:49:15 -0800

To understand how monumental it is for Lisa Jackson to be the new EPA chief, you have to look at history. Traditionally, heads of the EPA have been for the most part white men praised for how much money they saved industry....

Organizers Speak at 20th Anniv WE ACT Conference

Daniel Kim — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Cecil Corbin-Mark: The climate crisis and obama

Eric Mann — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

WE-ACT for Environmental Justice climate policy expert and environmental justice organizer Cecil Corban-Mark asks whether or not the free market solutions that created the climate crisis should be used to fix it.

Victor Wallis: Capitalist and socialist responses to the ecological crisis

Eric Mann — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

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Winona Laduke: Indigenous Peoples and the necessity of clean energy

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:30:20 -0800

Nationally recognized indigenous environementalist, Winona Laduke, breaks down the impacts of dirty energy on indigenous peoples throughout the US

Clayton Thomas-Mueller: Extracting Canada's tar sands to the core

Tammy Bang Luu — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Member of the Indigenous Envrionmental Network, Clayton Thomas-Muelle, talks about how does Alberta's tar sandsfeeds our oil addiciton.

Sunyoung Yang: Bus only lanes and climate change

Sunyoung Yang — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:39:54 -0800

Bus Riders Union and Strategy Center Clean Air, Clean Lungs, Clean Buses campaign organizer, Sunyoung Yang, talks about Bus Only Lanes VS LA's Auto Addiction.

Penny Newman: California's transportation bond measure Prop 1B and environmental racism

Lisa Adler — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

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Beverly Wright: Struggle to rebuild post-Katrina Black New Orleans

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Long time scholar and activist in the environmental justice movement, Beverly Wright speaks on the struggle for the right of return for Katrina Survivors and the remaking of New Orleans.

Clayton Thomas-Mueller: UN climate change conference, 2005 and the future of climate policy

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

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Tom Goldtooth: UN climate conference in Montreal, 2005

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:28:58 -0800

Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, Tom Goldthooth, challenges market-based solutions and grassroots movements at the UN Conference.

Sunita Narain: Kyoto Accords and the future of global climate policy

Damon Azali-Rojas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:26:01 -0800

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Ed Avol: Air pollution and the health of children in Southern California

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

USC Medical Professor, Ed Avol, exposes the impacts of air pollution on the health of children and issues a call to action