ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABILITY

ICPJ CAUCUS ON CONSUMPTION, WASTE AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS (CWCC)

ICPJ CWCC works with community and religious groups to mitigate and respond to the climate crisis and to address climate justice. Much of our work focuses on coalition-based advocacy in Washtenaw County. We add a voice for climate justice and for consumption and waste issues to our coalition work. We are connecting interested congregations with each other through our Congregational Green Groups list and are exploring ways to increase our existing climate justice work.

We partner with the following groups:

Washtenaw Zero Waste Coalition (WZWC)Advocacy work on solid waste issues in Washtenaw County by a group of interested individuals, many of whom are connected with environmental organizations.

Ann Arbor Climate Partnership Working GroupAdvocacy work on climate issues in Ann Arbor and beyond by a group of environmental organizations, organized by the Ecology Center.

A2ZEROCity of Ann Arbor’s Carbon Neutrality Plan, led by The Office of Sustainability and Innovation (OSI). One of the Plan’s three overall aims is to have Equity be a central part and not to leave anyone behind. ICPJ is an A2ZERO Collaborator.

PIAC Education Subcommittee (PIAC stands for Plan Implementation Advisory Committee for the County Solid Waste Plan) – Works with the educational aspects of implementing the County’s Solid Waste Plan.  

Michigan Alliance for Justice in Climate (MAJIC)A relatively new alliance of over 50 groups that centers people of color in leading the climate justice movement in Michigan, working for just and equitable solutions to racial injustice, climate disasters, and environmental degradation.

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You can get involved with the Caucus by emailing Info@ICPJ.org or janwrigh@umich.edu to get on the email list and check the calendar for our meeting schedule. We meet by Zoom, generally on the second Wednesday of the month from 3-4:30. (Check  with Jan to be sure about a particular meeting.)

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OTHER GROUPS YOU MAY WANT TO CONNECT WITH

MAJIC A coalition of over 50 groups that centers people of color in leading the climate justice movement in Michigan, working for just and equitable solutions to racial injustice, climate disasters, and environmental degradation. Serves as the state table for the application of federal Green New Deal policies and connects a breadth of existing local to regional and statewide community groups. Engagement with their circles of practice is encouraged as a way to support intersectional climate and environmental justice efforts in Michigan.

Eight Ann Arbor congregations have come together to create climate learning and action activities. They hosted the First Annual A2 Climate Teach-in on May 7, 2023, featuring Mayor Christopher Taylor and Professor Shelie Miller. They also hosted seven climate action webinars and the Climate Hero Stories initiative.

2030 Districts Ann Arbor Washtenaw Houses of Worship group For groups working on sustainability of congregational buildings, electrification, working towards net zero this is a good connection for learning from others as well as staying in touch with funding and other support that may be available.