Gloria Walton, speaking at the Earth Award ceremony, acknowledged the significance of the environmental justice movement’s recognition as a powerful force. She attributed this recognition to the tireless efforts of frontline communities and grassroots organizations over decades.
Dr. Robert Bullard, the recipient of the Earth Award and known as the “Father of Environmental Justice,” addressed the challenges he faced in 1979 when conducting a study supporting the landmark case that challenged environmental racism in the United States. He emphasized the importance of marrying scientific research with action to address environmental crises.
Dr. Bullard stressed the need to center the experiences of those facing the brunt of climate change in developing solutions, recognizing their deep understanding of the problem and potential solutions. Despite the setback of losing the lawsuit in 1985, it played a crucial role in demonstrating the connection between pollution and racial segregation in Houston.
While acknowledging the progress made since then, Dr. Bullard emphasized that the work is far from over. He expressed optimism and faith in the movement but stressed the importance of combining faith with action. He concluded by declaring, “We are a live movement.”
