Mission
The mission of the Clean Air Now coalition is to build and implement a just transition away from burning garbage to a zero-waste economy with affordable and responsible waste disposal and clean air for residents of Marion County. We are a broad and inclusive coalition of organizations and individuals working for solutions to pollution that are centered on justice for workers, farming communities, communities of color, and low-income residents. We strive to build an environmentally just economy with good jobs in clean energy and zero-waste practices that uplift communities and clean up our air.
Vision
Every person in the Willamette Valley of Oregon will be breathing clean, healthy air in the places they live, work, worship, and play. We envision healthy communities without disproportionately high rates of respiratory conditions or chronic illness. Marion County residents will pay affordable rates for waste disposal that is responsible, sustainable, and good for the environment and in line with state climate goals.
Active Coalition Partners
350 Salem
Our mission is to build an inclusive grassroots movement focused on keeping fossil fuels in the ground, advocating for a just transition to a renewable energy economy, and supporting community-based resilience in response to the climate emergency.
www.350salemor.org
Beyond Toxics
Our community-driven, multiracial movement challenges mainstream decision-makers and advocates to address systemic, historic causes of environmental injustices. Beyond Toxics is fighting for clean air, water and soil by demanding that the government–-at all levels–-develop and uphold strong health criteria to protect Oregon’s vulnerable communities.
www.beyondtoxics.org
Energy Justice Network
Energy Justice Network fulfills a grassroots energy agenda, supporting communities threatened by polluting energy and waste technologies. Taking direction from our grassroots base and the Principles of Environmental Justice, we advocate for a clean energy, zero-emission, zero-waste future for all.
www.energyjustice.net
Valley Neighbors for Environmental Quality and Safety (VNEQS)
The vee-necks are a group of Willamette Valley residents came together in 2021, to oppose the expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill.
https://www.coffinbuttefacts.org/about/
Additional Allies & Resources
350 PDX
350PDX campaigns focus on three areas: climate justice policy, forest defense, and fossil fuel resistance. We do much of our work through coalitions and partnerships with local, regional, and national groups, and aim for all our work to be by and for the community. We have no executive director and use a process of collective decision-
making and collaboration.
www.350pdx.org
Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)
ILSR is a nonprofit organization/advocacy group providing technical assistance to communities for local solutions for sustainable community development in areas such as banking, broadband, energy, independent business, and waste.
www.ilsr.org
Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS)
We empower youth through leadership development and grassroots organizing, while fighting against institutional oppression and environmental injustice. Our mission is the educational, cultural and political development of our youth. https://lusyouthorg.wordpress.com/about/
League of Women Voters of Marion/Polk Counties
LWV is a grassroots, nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and
active participation in government. The League seeks to empower citizens to understand governmental issues and effectively participate in the political process.
www.leaguewomenvotersmarionpolk.org
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon builds power for environmental justice and civil rights in our communities by organizing residents and activating frontline leaders in support of environmental, racial and economic justice.
www.opalpdx.org
Oregon Just Transition Alliance (OJTA)
Oregon Just Transition Alliance is a movement of communities facing environmental racism, climate change, and economic exploitation, by and for people on the frontlines of climate change. We are a member-based alliance of over 20 urban and rural frontline communities in the climate justice movement.
www.ojta.org
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
Oregon PSR is an organization of health professionals and public health advocates
working to protect human life from the gravest threats to health and survival by striving
to protect our climate, promote peace, and advance justice. We work collaboratively
with community partners to educate and advocate for system and policy changes that
protect human health.
www.oregonpsr.org
Pineros Y Campesinos Unidos del Noroest (PCUN)
PCUN’s goals: To give Latinx communities tools to influence policy in ways that will improve their lives for the better by building community, political action and grassroots policy advocacy, and promoting workers’ rights, collective-bargaining, and fostering equitable employee-employer relationships.
www.pcun.org
Salem Democratic Socialists of America
The Salem DSA is a working-class organization that seeks to build power for workers across Salem, Oregon and the Willamette Valley. Democratic socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few.
www.salemdsa.org