Gov. Evers makes historic announcement establishing the Office of Environmental Justice

In April 2022, Gov. Tony Evers announced the creation of the Office of Environmental Justice, a state office that will work with and support communities that have been historically disenfranchised in the fight against climate change. Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color have historically been left out of the decision-making process and excluded from the environmental movement. These communities are disproportionately affected by climate impacts and must be at the table when decisions are being made.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters and its members have supported the creation of this office in past state budgets, where it was unfortunately stripped out by members of the Joint Finance Committee. The Office of Environmental Justice is a vital step toward addressing the generations of harm done and to dismantling systems that threaten the wellbeing of these communities.

We applaud the governor for his continued commitment to climate and justice by establishing the Office of Environmental Justice via Executive Order 161.