In October 2021, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division reached out to Colorado residents from communities across the state looking for input on what is most important to communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Eight diverse applicants were selected from different regions of Colorado out of more than 100 eager applicants who are passionate about climate action and environmental justice. The current representatives include Teresa Brizuela from Thornton, Theresa Rigney from Colorado Springs, Carl Erikson from Greeley, Harmony Cummings from Denver, Kate Lockwood from Meeker, and Rachael Lehman from Denver. The group currently has vacancies for the Pueblo and Northeast Colorado areas.
This group, which calls itself the Colorado Climate Equity Community Advisory Council (CECAC), functions as an informal stakeholder committee funded by state dollars for community outreach and engagement. The council meets monthly through Zoom to provide input on pending state-proposed environmental regulations that focus primarily on greenhouse gas emissions. Harmony Cummings commented, “I appreciate being part of this group because we’re able to learn about complex issues that impact our health and environment in an approachable way. We see technical presentations on air pollution and then we have a chance to engage in a conversation and ask questions. This is much better than public comment, where we wonder if anyone is even listening. This brings back humanity to the process and allows for back and forth dialog.”
“I have found the resources and presentations particularly useful in my community work. I have the information directly from the source,” added Rachael Lehman. A few examples of regulations that the group has heard and advised on over the past few months includes the Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Energy Management for the Manufacturing Sector (GEMM Phase 2) rule,the Colorado Clean Trucking rules, and implementation of Colorado’s Environmental Justice Act.
The group also strives to highlight the thoughts of members’ respective communities through outreach. As Lauren McDonell, Climate Change Outreach Planner for CDPHE and facilitator of CECAC stated, “The Climate Equity Community Advisory Council is one of many ways the state is listening to communities all around Colorado and supporting local community engagement on urgent issues like climate change and environmental justice. This group brings important ideas, questions, and perspectives to Colorado’s work to protect the climate.” CECAC prioritizes community access to health and environmental data in user-friendly formats, continual access to EnviroScreen for community members, and the need to work towards holistic approaches for solutions keeping in mind collective influences on our environment.
Carl Erikson, one of the only members from another predominantly rural and agricultural area, said, “I think being closer to what grows and lives on the earth makes us more sensitive to the interdependence of our existence, and this sensitivity, although a blessing of knowledge, carries with it a responsibility to ensure that the natural justice is as equitable and interdependent as our existence with the earth, and for all beings and life here. This group is a chance for me to take a few steps on the path in the right direction toward that obligation.”
Members serve their communities with pride. “I am very proud to be able to be part of this group and be a voice of the common people, to be heard and to have information about the advances and environmental actions taken by Colorado agencies,” commented Teresa Brizuela.
As Carl Erikson quotes from Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake (Sitting Bull): “‘The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.’”
“This council is a step on that path.”
The perspectives shared in this article represent those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the State of Colorado.
by KATE LOCKWOOD – Special to the Herald Times
