Building from local advocacy to federal change

In the mid-Atlantic region of the US, communities face the interlocking crises of toxic pollution; inequitable access to public transportation and housing; and lack of job opportunities. While communities of color and low-wealth neighborhoods bear the brunt of this injustice, they have not had much of a say in discussions about legislative and policy solutions.

In 2024, paralegals worked with five impacted communities seeking remedies for environmental pollution that is putting health and safety at risk. In Frederick, Maryland, residents living near a “superfund site”—a contaminated area designated for high priority cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—turned their local struggle into a broader change. Working with a paralegal, they studied environmental regulations, documented risks, and made a case for policy change. Their efforts led to a new state law requiring real estate agents to inform families when a house is within proximity of a toxic waste site, empowering homebuyers to make informed decisions about their health and safety.

Simultaneously, drawing on their experience, Frederick residents successfully pushed the EPA to improve its national superfund site mapping tool, making it easier for people across America to identify toxic threats in their neighborhoods. What started as a call for justice in one community is creating positive impacts for overburdened communities across the country.

Under the new US administration, federal support for environmental justice is disappearing and there are serious threats to basic rights. In 2025, we are taking stock of what we have learned and adapting our U.S. strategy in light of the changing context.