SIEPR/SEEPAC forum: Environmental Justice Concerns and Public Policy Challenges Associated with California Air Pollution

Join SIEPR and SEEPAC online on Monday, Nov. 15 for a forum on environmental justice and environmental policy issues associated with the significant levels of air pollution in parts of California. The forum will offer a roundtable discussion featuring three leading contributors to the state’s air quality discussions and policy decisions. Please register here to attend.

Martha Dina Argüello, Executive Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles

For the past 32 years, Martha has worked as a social justice  advocate, community organizer, and coalition builder. She joined PSR-LA in 1998 to launch the environmental health programs, and became Executive Director in November 2007.

As a coalition builder, Martha has emphasized the need for local grassroots advocacy working in partnership with statewide policy actions. She is an active board member of numerous organizations, including Californians for Pesticide Reform,  Californians for a Healthy and Green Economy she serves on the 617 working group and is a co chair of the and the California Air Resources Board’s Global Warming Environmental Justice Advisory Committee.

Chanell Fletcher, Deputy Executive Director for Environmental Justice, California Air Resources Board

Chanell Fletcher was appointed to the position of Deputy Executive Officer of Environmental Justice in January 2021. Ms. Fletcher oversees CARB’s Environmental Justice and Community Air Protection Program and is responsible for developing CARB-wide environmental justice policies. She plays a key role in CARB’s programs designed to address disproportionate impacts from air pollution and climate change and associated chronic health conditions affecting Black, Latinx and other communities of color across the state.

Ms. Fletcher is the executive lead for AB 617 and its related programs. She is focused on moving away from a top-down equity model to one that centers on building relationships and trust with partners in the environmental and racial justice movement at the community level.

As part of CARB’s senior executive team, Ms. Fletcher serves as the primary internal and external contact for CARB on environmental justice, climate equity and community air protection efforts. Ms.Fletcher is also developing a training program to provide staff with the understanding and skills to more effectively partner with communities.

Prior to joining CARB, Ms. Fletcher served as Executive Director of ClimatePlan, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing policies and programs to address the relationship between land use policy and climate change to realize more sustainable and equitable development throughout California. She also served as Senior Policy Manager for the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership. She has worked with environmental justice organizations including the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, as well as racial equity organizations including PolicyLink and Public Advocates to shape legislation and advocate for competitive grant programs that increase access and opportunity for low-income communities and communities of color.

Ms. Fletcher earned her Bachelor’s degree in History from U.C. Santa Cruz and her Master in Public Administration from San Francisco State.

Cristina Garcia, California State Assembly, District 58

Assemblymember Cristina Garcia has served in the state Assembly since being first elected in 2012, representing California's 58th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Montebello, Pico Rivera and Norwalk. First as a dynamic community organizer and civic activist, and now as a new generation of leader in the California State Legislature, Cristina has often been referred to as a "Force of Nature.”