Low-wealth communities of color are suffering the greatest harms of climate change, but our climate and environmental laws and policies often fail to take their concerns into account. The Center for Progressive Reform has established the Arlie W. Schardt Fund for Climate Justice to help change that.
Named after longtime journalist and environmental advocate Arlie Schardt, the fund will support our efforts to help put racial and economic equity at the center of the conversation around climate solutions and ensure all people are able to prepare for and respond to the climate crisis. It will do this by leveraging our research and advocacy on climate justice for all and expand and enrich the impact of our communications on climate law and policy.
Arlie W. Schardt was a leader in journalism, environmental advocacy, and communications. During his life, he worked as a correspondent for TIME and an editor at Newsweek, served as executive director of the Environmental Defense Fund, partnered with David Fenton to found Environmental Media Services, and worked with organizations of all sizes to infuse communications strategies and tactics throughout the environmental and climate justice movements. He had a strong passion for civil rights and dedicated his career and his life to the push for racial justice, clean air and water, wildlife, and wildlands conservation. Arlie also worked to address climate change, pollution, and the threats posed by toxic chemicals. He passed away in May 2020.
Arlie’s work toward justice, equity, and a healthy planet dovetails with the Center’s mission, vision, and strategic focus, and we’re honored to be able to continue his legacy with this fund and the work it supports.
The Arlie W. Schardt Fund for Climate Justice is made possible by a generous contribution from the Linebarger/Janin Fund. Stay tuned for more information on how you can support the fund and the Center’s work, or donate to the Center now at https://bit.ly/CPRDonate.