Climate Equity Policy Advocacy

Eastside Community Network uses our resources and influence to ensure that local policies prioritize climate equity and resilience for our communities, and amplify resident-led advocacy efforts.

Areas of Advocacy

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)

Our GSI policy advocacy partners include Center for Neighborhood Technology, Detroit Collaborative Design Center, Detroit Water & Sewage Department, Elevate Detroit, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, and Land + Water Works Coalition.

 

Main Objectives

  • Increased investment in GSI in low-density neighborhoods.

  • Reduced instances of basement flooding.

  • Improved indoor air quality from reduction in mold and mildew.

  • Improved water quality.

Key Activities

  • Promote policy recommendations for improved GSI incentive framework as reflected in the Goodstock Offsite GSI Concept Report.

  • Pilot project in Good Stock community.

  • Pilot flooding intervention tools.

Community Compost

Our Community Compost policy advocacy partners include Breathe Free, FoodPlus, Green Task Force, and Sustainable Communities Farms.

 

Main Objectives

  • Reduced waste sent to landfills.

  • Increased access to quality soils.

  • Increased economic opportunities for residents.

Key Activities

  • Support policy proposals regarding purchasing of compost and disposition of waste materials.

  • Identify regulatory barriers to community-based composting storage and management.

  • Educate community on benefits and best practices in composting.

Community Solar

Our Community Solar policy advocacy partners include Elevate Detroit, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, Ryter Cooperative Industries, and Souladarity.

 

Main Objectives

  • Increased access to renewable energy for low income residents.

  • Reduced energy costs for residents.

  • Increased utilization of solar by low-income residents.

  • Increased resilience to energy outages.

Key Activities

  • Support policy recommendations for community solar and wind projects in partnership with local groups.

  • Promote equitable access to solar financing.

  • Participate in advocacy campaigns to support changes to solar policy and increased utilization of solar within low income neighborhoods.

Air Quality

Our Air Quality policy advocacy partners include Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, Souladarity, and Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang.

 

Main Objectives

  • Improved indoor and outdoor air quality in eastside communities.

  • Reduced rates of respiratory illness for residents.

  • Increased awareness of how pollution impacts health.

  • Reduced health crisis during extreme event days like high heat.

Key Activities

  • Compile and share research and materials linking industrial pollution to health disparities.

  • Support Zoning Analytic, as relates to industrial and commercial corridors, impact of auto uses, consistency of enforcement, and other provisions.

  • Support recommendations to retool air quality assessments, in partnership with the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center and Sierra Club.

Equity & Sustainability

Our Equity & Sustainability policy advocacy partners include Coalition for the Detroiters Bill of Rights and Detroit City Council.

 

Main Objectives

  • Improved social well-being of overall community.

  • Increased community wellness.

  • Prioritization of community needs.

Key Activities

  • Facilitate community dialogue and response to policy recommendations compiled in the Detroiters Bill of Rights.

  • Participate in advocacy campaigns and facilitate resident engagement and support.

  • Advocate for increased role of Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice on development decisions.