From its early roots to the present day, New Mexican communities have a long history of participation and collaboration with the environmental justice movement. This is due to the fact that environmental issues disproportionately impact Indigenous tribes and pueblos, communities of color, and rural and low-income communities. From toxic dumping and exploitation to forced removal and annexation, these communities have typically borne the brunt of environmental degradation. 

In response, New Mexico frontline community groups have been at the forefront of defining environmental justice, and have been working on solutions for generations. They have led the way in exploring the intersectionality of environmental issues with housing, transportation, public health, education, immigration and worker safety issues. 

One frontline community – the South Valley of Albuquerque – stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of affected residents in the face of decades of industrial contamination, poor air quality, and economic disinvestment. Despite these challenges, South Valley community groups have actively sought remediation and protection from legacy pollution for their residents and all New Mexicans. Their early leadership in the environmental justice movement has inspired frontline groups in New Mexico and around the country to organize for the protection of their air, land, water and community health.

Here are a few other examples of environmental injustices that have catalyzed the formation of community-based movements: 

• Uranium mining and legacy waste in western New Mexico that continues to impact the public health, water and land of surrounding Native nations and other communities
• Nuclear waste storage and ongoing risks to public health in southeastern New Mexico 
• Hazardous waste storage in northeastern New Mexico affecting drinking water and air quality
• Nuclear weapons development and testing in the central and southern parts of the state damaging worker and public health, water and land

Community groups from all corners of New Mexico have led and continue to lead in this space. At CVNM, we are committed to working with frontline community groups to help ensure their voices are not just heard, but are central in determining equitable and effective solutions. Without these critical voices leading the way, any measures we take to help protect New Mexicans from climate change and the exploitation of extractive industry are doomed to fail.

The historic wrongs that frontline communities have borne need to be redressed. Through meaningful engagement with affected communities and the utilization of the legislative and regulatory process, we can work toward amending the wrongs of the past and present while helping prevent future injustices. Moving forward, it will be critical that we acknowledge that progress is only possible when it benefits everyone. The future of environmental justice is the future of us all. We at CVNM are committed to ensuring that all hands are present and equal upon the levers of change.  

For more information about environmental justice, click here to read 17 Principles of Environmental Justice.