The Greenlining Institute

The first Earth Day was in 1970, and since then we’ve seen so much change when it comes to the climate and our fight for environmental justice. While many formerly redlined neighborhoods continue to bear the burdens of transportation pollution due to decades of racist policies, more and more community-based organizations are stepping forward to build climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce pollution and connect local residents to economic opportunities. Since launching Greenlining the Block in 2023, we’ve had the privilege of working with 24 groups across the country and a very interesting trend emerged – many of these frontline organizations started focusing their efforts on transportation and cleaner mobility options for their communities. They’re making incredible progress and collectively have secured more than $77M in future investments. But who better to explain the importance of community-led mobility equity programs than our community partners themselves? So, we put together this short video to share why Greenlining the Block cohort members are making clean mobility solutions a priority in their communities. Learn more about #GreenliningTheBlock by visiting https://lnkd.in/gnNwgAYb Special thank you to our Greenlining the Block partners over at Little Manila Rising, CASA FAMILIAR INC, and Equiticity.

Big news! Our co-sponsored #CALeg bill #AB2086 (Schiavo) is heading to the Governor's desk! This bill will shine a light on how transportation dollars are spent—paving the way for state investments that truly advance #climateequity and #transportationjustice for #BIPOC communities. A huge thank you to author Asm. Pilar Schiavo and co-sponsor TransForm for championing this crucial bill. Now, we’re counting on CA Governor Newsom to sign it into law and take a stand for a fairer, more equitable transportation system!

We are excited to share that our co-sponsored #CALeg bill AB 2401 (Ting): Clean Cars 4 All is on its way to the Governor’s desk! Join us as we urge CA Governor Newsom to sign #AB2401 into law and promote access to state #EV incentives among #BIPOC and low-income communities who are hit hardest by pollution.

Through the #GreenliningTheBlock initiative, we are investing in community-driven #climateaction to unlock future funding and investments. By bridging the gap between community capacity and new infrastructure funding opportunities, we can ensure that capital investments are directed towards communities of color who are advancing neighborhood-scale climate solutions. Support our work to address long-standing inequities in infrastructure investments by visiting greenliningtheblock.org. Photo Credit: Idea2Form (I2F)

As the impacts of climate change intensify, CA voters have the power to help maintain the state's momentum towards environmental equity. This November, the 2024 Climate Bond will be on the ballot—a $10 billion lifeline for programs like #TransformativeClimateCommunities that prioritize community leadership in the fight against climate change. Dive into our latest blog to learn more about how your vote can support climate equity and ensure a just future for all. https://bit.ly/3yLGTnZ

In 2023, The Greenlining Institute launched #GreenliningTheBlock to connect community-based organizations with the financial resources and technical support they needed to tap into the billions of dollars available in federal & state climate funding. Our initiative prioritizes strategic investment and building the capacity of local #BIPOC leaders and organizations that serve communities of color to unlock future capital that will fully fund their ultimate visions for thriving, vibrant communities. Learn more about the ongoing movement to advance community-led #climatesolutions that will transform deeply-embedded inequity into #climateaction by visiting https://lnkd.in/gX2h8bmc. This video was produced in partnership with Idea2Form (I2F) and Castro Animation (https://lnkd.in/ggqbyQZH).

Next Thursday, August 29 from 11am-1pm, we are excited to be co-hosting a virtual peer learning session with Asian Pacific Environmental Network titled "Climate Resilience Stories." Join Deirel Marquez, our Program Manager for Climate Resilience, as well as fellow members of the Community Resilience Work Group (CRWG) to hear local stories from frontline community members who live in neighborhoods spanning from the Central Coast to San Diego. We'll share information on how to navigate PSE Healthy Energy's resilience hub mapping tool, and we'll also discuss the benefits of urban agriculture in your own neighborhood. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more from #environmentaljustice communities throughout CA. We hope to see you there! Register via Zoom: https://lnkd.in/gbzwmfF8

Following the SCOTUS anti-affirmative action ruling, myths and misconceptions regarding the need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across institutions have continued to rise. Continued #DEI implementation is a key component to combatting the systemic inequities imbedded into our economy and financial services industry. Read more in our latest blog by Desiree Gomez: https://bit.ly/4fVs3vU

Since January 2023, The Greenlining Institute strategically invested in community-based organizations across the country who work to advance #climatejustice neighborhood projects. We are proud to report our #GreenliningTheBlock partners have successfully secured more than $117 million in additional capital investments. Today, we’re spotlighting several community partners and their achievements, including: 🌳 ActiveSGV, who secured a total of $34.2 million, including a $20 million US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Change grant and a $9.8 million grant for the Norwood Elementary Greening Project; 🌱 Casa Familiar, Inc., who received a total of $10.5 million to support the development of the La Semilla Resilience Center, which broke ground on construction in July 2024; 🚌 Environmental Health Coalition , who partnered with the San Diego Foundation to secure $28.2 million to fund projects that will improve residents' access to clean & safe transportation and everyday clean energy options; 🚲 City Heights Community Development, who secured $3.3 million from California Air Resources Board to develop bike & pedestrian infrastructure that will connect the under-construction Cuatro affordable housing complex to public transit options; ⚡Eastside Community Network, who secured $2.7 million to transform its space into a wellness campus and mobility hub Our #GreenliningTheBlock partners are making tangible change to realize a more just and equitable climate future where formerly redlined communities of color can thrive.

Ena Lupine on the importance of investing in community capacity so that under-resourced neighborhoods can lead on climate action. Government has a responsibility to resource community partnerships, planning and projects--or the neighborhoods in most need will miss out on historic federal funding. Programs like the Regional Climate Collaboratives here in CA do just that. "Even if communities did have the people power, many do not have nationally competitive shovel-ready projects that they could incorporate into a federal grant application. Even if they did, most lack access to grant writers who can assemble the complex content and examples needed to complete competitive grant applications. Even if they could, many do not have access to the match funding needed to be competitive or are unable to front the money for reimbursable grants. And, even if they did jump over all these hurdles (and many others) to actually secure the grant funding, many of the smallest, most under-resourced communities struggle to successfully implement grants due to difficult reporting requirements, lack of access to contractors, low staff capacity and/or staff turnover."