Diane Takvorian Joins California Air Resources Board!
CEJA congratulates our co-founder and steering committee member, Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of Environmental Health Coalition, as the 1st environmental justice representative to join the California Air Resources Board! After years of organizing and advocacy, environmental justice advocates throughout the state will finally have a champion at the highest levels of decision-making on climate and air quality.
Diane Takvorian at our 2013 Congreso
“I am grateful for Speaker Toni Atkins’ leadership and vision as the author of AB 1288 that created the historic opportunity for environmental justice representatives to be members of the Air Resources Board,” says Executive Director of Environmental Health Coalition, Diane Takvorian. “Air pollution throughout California, particularly in low income communities and communities of color in and near heavy industrial areas and transportation corridors, threatens the public’s health and contributes to climate change that critically endangers our environment and economic well-being. I’m looking forward to working with California Environmental Justice Alliance members to improve the health of our communities, families and our children.”
Under the leadership of Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and Senator Fran Pavley, AB 1288 was signed into law last year which adds two new seats to the ARB for representatives who work directly with communities vulnerable to climate and air pollution. The representatives will ensure the Air Resources Board performs more equitably and responds more effectively to issues in communities overburdened by pollution. Environmental justice communities have been at the front lines of the crisis, and we are on the forefront of the solutions — we are taking our place at the highest levels of decision-making on climate.
