Equity Statement
Sierra Club, both on a national and state level, has long nursed the narrative that environmental issues are public health issues. This is true. However, it is an incomplete truth if we do not also fully and consistently acknowledge that racism is an issue of the environment and health.
Racism is itself a public health crisis. Racism is the root of persistent systemic discrimination in every aspect of society, including in health care, housing, education, employment and criminal justice- all of which are important determining factors in our quality of life, mental health, and physical wellbeing.