Advocacy

A report criticized Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for being “reluctant” regulators, favoring industry self-policing. Texans testified about its ineffectiveness, urging reform for transparency and accountability, especially in communities of color. Lawmakers debated recommendations, highlighting tensions between regulation, cost, and public trust.

On Tuesday, Liveable Arlington claimed victory as the Arlington City Council, by a 5-4 vote, denied Total Energies' request to drill more gas wells near a preschool. The grassroots group's lawsuit contested Total's drill zone map for violating setback ordinances. This decision marks their second success against Total.

Dr. Carly Aulicky, recently appointed as North Texas Outreach and Stewardship Director for the Native Prairies Association of Texas, focuses on preserving diminishing prairies amidst rapid development. Her efforts include engaging communities through educational programs and collaborations, emphasizing prairies’ ecological benefits and Texas heritage.

Garland residents worry ongoing cleanup near the former Globe Union plant won't remove all lead contamination. Despite EPA soil replacements and private testing revealing broader contamination, residents remain anxious about potential health impacts and insufficient evaluations, especially concerning local schools.

Green Source On the Air celebrated Juneteenth with environmental justice advocates Ernest McMillan, Collin Yarbrough, and Dawan Shockley. The show, supported by Dallas College and others, featured discussions on race and the environment, airing after Juneteenth's designation as a national holiday by President Biden.

Researchers are documenting environmental injustices in Dallas through the Environmental Injustice Archive, highlighting significant pollution cases, such as Shingle Mountain and West Dallas' lead pollution. This collaboration aims to raise awareness, hold polluters accountable, and celebrate community victories against injustices in predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods.

Green Source DFW launched "Green Source On the Air" on Earth Day to expand its environmental news reach. The inaugural show, aired via Zoom, featured interviews with environmental activists and concluded with a Montopolis band performance. The next show airs May 21, supported by Dallas College and other organizations.

The 2020 Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Awards were held virtually due to the pandemic, with trophies later hand-delivered. Winners included Marsha Jackson, Olinka Green, Dale Crownover, and others recognized for environmental justice, innovation, activism, and reporting. Deliveries faced delays due to Covid and weather challenges.

"Green Source On the Air" launches April 22. This new monthly program by Green Source DFW will feature environmental topics, interviews, and entertainment. The Earth Day show includes speakers like Marsha Jackson and Amy Martin, support from Dallas College, and music by Montopolis.

The DFW chapter of the Climate Reality Project promotes free online training from April 22 to May 2 to empower climate activists. The sessions focus on policy change, sustainable futures, and stopping fossil fuel expansion. The initiative addresses urgent climate action and adaptation for North Texas.