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Alternatives for Community and Environment

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Sej37 (talk | contribs) at 18:37, 6 February 2025 (changed the chronological order of accomplishments and minor edits on wording of introduction). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE) is an environmental justice community organization based in Boston's Nubian Square (formerly Dudley Square). ACE has worked primarily within the Roxbury community but recently expanded to the entire New England area to empower lower-income and minority communities with disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards such as urban heat island effects, air pollution and lead poisoning. [1][1]

Founded in 1994,[2] ACE works to eradicate environmental racism, and classism and ultimately achieve environmental justice by empowering lower-income and minority communities to participate in decision-making regarding economic, environmental and social issues and providing legal supports via Environmental Justice Networks[3]. ACE utilizes the concept of "just sustainability" and its intersections with environmental sustainability and environmental justice.

ACE often forms cross-boundary coalitions and operates various youth, transportation networks, and environmental health programs such as Dudley Square Organizing Project (DSOP), Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP), T Riders Union (TRU), the Safety Net, and Environmental Justice Legal Services (EJLS)[2]

Core Programs and Accomplishments

Some of ACE's notable accomplishments include the following:

  • In 1999, ACE worked with a number of governmental agencies to implement Airbeat, a real-time air pollution monitoring system in Roxbury.[4]
  • ACE's Environmental Justice Legal Services represented Chelsea residents in a 2007 case that prevented the construction of a diesel-fueled power plant adjacent to an elementary school.[5]
  • In September 2009, youth members of REEP and TRU, in collaboration with the Youth Way on the MBTA, reached an agreement with Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi to extend the hours for student passes and investigate the feasibility of an unrestricted youth pass.[6][7]
  • With partner organizations in the Green Justice Coalition, ACE and its Dudley Square Organizing Project helped ensure that environmental justice considerations were included in the landmark 2009 Massachusetts energy efficiency plan.[8]
  • In 2013, The Safety Net fought with Roxbury residents who lacked the financial, political and organizational resources to avert the development of a Boston University-sponsored Level 4 biolab that involved Ebola and Smallpox.[3][4]
  • In 2015, ACE partnered with MPHA(Massachusetts Public Health Alliance) and facilitated the implementation of Boston's Diesel Emission Reduction Ordinance(DERO). DERO address air pollution by reducing emission from transportations and buildings, especially communities that have disproportionately suffered from air pollution such as Roxbury neighborhood

References

  1. ^ Agyeman, Julian (2005-07-01). "Alternatives for Community and Environment: Where Justice and Sustainability Meet". Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development. 47 (6): 10–23. doi:10.3200/ENVT.47.6.10-23. ISSN 0013-9157.
  2. ^ Downs, Timothy; Ross, Laurie; et al. (2010). "Participatory testing and reporting in an environmental-justice community of Worcester, Massachusetts: a pilot project". Environ Health. 9 (34): 34. doi:10.1186/1476-069X-9-34. PMC 2914716. PMID 20604953.
  3. ^ Agyeman, Julian (2005-07-01). "Alternatives for Community and Environment: Where Justice and Sustainability Meet". Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development. 47 (6): 10–23. doi:10.3200/ENVT.47.6.10-23. ISSN 0013-9157.
  4. ^ Loh, Penn; Sugerman-Brozan, Jodi; Wiggins, Standrick; Noiles, David; Archibald, Cecilia (2002). "From Asthma to AirBeat: Community-Driven Monitoring of Fine Particles and Black Carbon in Roxbury, Massachusetts". Environ Health Perspect. 110 (Supp 2): 297–301. doi:10.1289/ehp.02110s2297. PMC 1241176. PMID 11929741.
  5. ^ "Developer Pulls Plans for Chelsea Power Plant". Conservation Law Foundation. 14 November 2007. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  6. ^ Noah Bierman (9 September 2009). "T extends hours of student passes". Boston Globe. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  7. ^ Yawu Miller (24 September 2009). "MBTA researches youth T pass, extends student pass". Bay State Banner. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  8. ^ Amy Dean (13 September 2010). "Doing Green Jobs Right". The Nation. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
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