Climate And Environmental Justice For All
What is happening?
In Oakland, there has been an uneven distribution of environmental harms and development of environmental goods. Low-income residents and communities of color have been disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards while also being prevented from benefiting from environmental amenities, such as parks, wetlands and forests.
On the streets, thirty-five people lost their lives to traffic violence in Oakland in 2022, with District 3 containing some of the most high-injury intersections and corridors. All while one's zip code is still the most potent predictor of an individual's health and well-being. We also see in District 3 many brownfield sites, high lead levels, and unsafe street level design.
Why is it important?
These discrepancies can be traced back to the 1930s, when Roosevelt's New Deal created the Home Owners’ Refinancing Act of 1933 and the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (in-depth video below). The legacy of redlining stays not only in poverty and income inequality, but also low environmental quality, through the lack of tree canopy coverage, high collision deaths, and inferior air and soil quality. As a result, redlining continues to capture, contain and contaminate our communities for generations.
Carroll has spoken to one too many families impacted by these harms to not make environmental design and justice a priority. Everyone in Oakland should be able to breathe and thrive, free of environmental terrorism.
It is within our means to design our urban spaces thoughtfully in order to advance sustainable goals, address climate change, and improve quality of life, while also repairing the harms of systemic racism that still exist today.
What’s been done so far?
➔ Introduced legislation to pilot community-driven traffic safety solutions, which will allow schools, businesses, and community centers that serve vulnerable populations to address environmental deisgn and safety concerns in their neighborhoods. This program builds on Oakland’s Transportation Department’s 2017 report that showed the racial nature of traffic safety, with majority of collisions occuring in West and East Oakland. Read more by the Oaklandside here.
➔ Co-introduced Measure U for infrastructure funding, providing $300 million over the next four to six years for road infrastructure repair and redesign that is now being programmed.
➔ Supported the development of a farmer’s market in West Oakland in order to increase access to fresh and healthy food.
➔ Advocated for cost-saving opportunities for civilian employees to take over certain functions performed by sworn police officers, resulting in the Vehicle Enforcement Unit within the Oakland Dept of Transportation. More than 5,600 calls for abandoned vehicle service each year will now no longer be handled by police, resulting in more timely and cost-effective service.
➔ Multiple community clean-ups focused on making our parks and public spaces more beautiful and cared for.
What’s coming up next?
➔ Use Measure U funds to create more bike and pedestrian friendly streets in order to encourage using car alternatives for travel, ultimately leading to improved air quality, reduced emissions and safer streets.
➔ Finalize the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) that would allow for restoration of brownfield sites and construction of parks, greenways, and climate change focused projects.
➔ Convene a District 3 composed Transportation Cabinet to consult on policy and initiatives specific to District 3.
➔ Further fight illegal dumping by hiring workers to fill empty positions.
➔ Plant 1000 trees in West Oakland.
➔ Successfully fought against building a coal export terminal in West Oakland.
Deep Dive: The History Of Environmental Racism In Oakland
If you’re interested in learning more, check out this video of Dr. Corbin presenting at the Black New Deal Symposium.
