Orange County
Environmental Justice
What we do:
Communities Organizing for Better Water (COBW) aims to highlight water inequities in Orange County and advocate towards an equitable solutions while encompassing environmental justice values.
OCEJ conducted door-to-door surveys in 2016 the Orange County areas that faced the highest pollution burden. From the 4,163 survey participants, water quality was the leading environmental concern.
We are committed to identify, investigate, and adress water issues while following our community science organizing model in every aspect of our work because uplifting and empowering those living in our most vulnerable areas will be our path to environmental justice.
1.
Water Pollution Documentation
2.
Water testing
3.
Policy Advocacy
Water Pollution Documentation
Our Community Science Organizing Model allows us to spread awareness on environmental issues, AND involve community members since they are the experts of their community and it's only right for them to be included in the decision making process. Being involved in the decision making process can look like several ways. For example, we provide free training for people who are interested in protecting water supplies to be able to identify sources of pollution, document evidence, and report it to the designated management team.
The effort of training community leaders to document water pollution is to uplift marginalized concerns and gather attention to water related issues in the neighborhood. We call it: PhotoVoice.
Please view our PhotoVoice gallery preview below. This gallery showcases some of our photo submissions from residents that documents water pollution.
If you'd like to know more about how PhotoVoice was created and how it operates, please view the following summary.
Water Testing
In 2024, COBW was able to work with UCI Climate Justice Fellows to conduct water testing for 6 types of PFAs in Santa Ana resident's tap water. We recognize that there many other pollutants of concerns, so our next step is to expand water testing efforts to include other harmful pollutants in tap and surface water.
Projects with university fellows:
OCEJ collaborates with university programs that allow students to work with us on OCEJ led projects. This collaboration with university students allows them to receive direct experience working with environmental justice movements, while increasing our organization's capacity.
COBW 2024 Summary
Slideshow brought to you by: Nayeli Gonzalez
B.A. Anthropology|Minor in Archaeology University of California, Irvine - Class of 2025
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