Every year we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work toward social justice, civil liberties, and equal rights for all.

Dr. King recognized that social justice could not be achieved without environmental justice – including healthier living environments for underprivileged communities and universal access to clean air, water, and soil.

His actions not only led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but also the Clean Air Act in 1963, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Dr. King recognized that the great movements of his time – civil rights and environmental justice – were inexorably linked.

On Monday’s National Day of Service, remember to reflect on the life, legacy, and impacts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as you volunteer in your community and celebrate. Also, remember that these causes are still linked and that our service on behalf of the environment will always be service on behalf of human rights.

Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Learn more below about how Grades of Green’s free programs incorporate environmental justice to help educate, empower, and inspire students to create real environmental transformation in their communities.

LAUNCH

Along with introducing a new leaf system for LAUNCH – allowing for more teacher stipends – we expanded our toolkits education and project offerings to highlight each topic’s relationship to environmental justice - sparking ideas to create just and equitable environmental solutions.

RISE

The RISE Campaign’s Guidebook now allows students to understand and reflect on how environmental justice relates to their topic and project while exploring possible solutions to make a difference in their community.

SOAR

The SOAR Leadership Academy is taking its first flight with environmental justice in mind. Focused on creating system change, these future leaders, together with industry partners, will work together to understand environmental issues and injustices surrounding diverse industries while creating solutions to address them.

UPLIFT

The UPLIFT Partnership program supports school districts in creating and reaching their environmental goals while complying with state mandated legislation. With zero cost to the district, students in the most environmentally challenged communities are empowered with the the tools and support to create healthier places to live and play.

Check out Grades of Green's Programs!

SparQ Eco-Grant

Every year Grades of Green awards Eco-Grants to the teams who create the most environmental impact through their projects. We are excited to introduce a new $1000 grant provided by LumenSparQ, a nonprofit that spotlights heroes in the community. The recipient will be a team located in an underserved, environmentally challenged area within Los Angeles County. Thank you LumenSparQ for providing this impactful award to students who work to create meaningful environmental change in their community.

Environmental Supporter Spotlight

Grades of Green is dedicated to educating students about environmental justice and empowering them through our award winning programs to create solutions in communities most in need- all at no cost! We couldn't achieve our goals without the funding to create impactful education, offer inspirational individual mentorship, and track impacts and achievements of our passionate student Eco-Leaders. We are grateful and honored to Windward Fund – on behalf of the Environmental Justice Data Fund – for a recent $25,000 grant to continue our work serving those communities most impacted by environmental inequities.

Toolkit of the Month: Tree Planting

Planting trees addresses many environmental justice issues such as deforestation, air pollution, and the Urban Heat Island Effect. Grades of Green students continue to make their communities greener, healthier, and cooler by planting trees. This international team, Parallel Projects from Tanzania, is improving their community's coastline by planting mangrove saplings, a unique species of tree that can survive in the high salinity water of estuaries. Their roots provide critical ecosystems for fish, birds, and reptiles while also blocking litter from entering the ocean. This gives people the chance to collect trash before it goes out to sea. You can follow this team's lead and plant trees in your own community by following our Tree Planting Toolkit.

Help Grades of Green's Eco-Leaders create healthier and happier communities with a donation

Your support will help our students to take action and provide solutions to address the climate crisis across the world!

Donate and support Grades of Green!

Grades of Green

1730 E Holly Ave

El Segundo, CA 90245-4404

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