What Led Me to Environmental Law, and to Environmental Justice

By Julian Gonzalez, Senior Legislative Counsel for Earthjustice.

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York City, where I spent a lot of time outdoors playing sports and going on bike rides. Many people might not think of this urban metropolis as a place with a lot of outdoor spaces, but the interesting thing about the Bronx is that, despite its large apartment buildings, concrete, and highways, it actually has many large parks. In fact, two of the biggest parks in the entire New York City are located in the Bronx. 

I was fortunate enough to sometimes travel to upstate New York, known for its traditional outdoor activities. We occasionally went camping or stayed in a cabin. This allowed me to experience different aspects of the outdoors that I hadn't seen before. Additionally, my parents are from Puerto Rico. Although I didn't visit often as a kid, those few times left a profound impression on me because of the beautiful beaches and the Caribbean environment. The city, upstate, and the island shaped my early view of what the outdoors could be.

Those experiences I had outdoors, frequent visits to the Bronx Zoo, and the many National Geographic magazines around my house instilled in me a love for animals and nature. I developed a deep appreciation for national parks, public lands, and wildlife. I knew it was crucial to protect them, but I never thought that a career as an environmentalist and making a living from it was possible. I did not know it was something you could study, much less make a career out of.

My parents recognized my passion and encouraged me to attend a boarding high school in New Jersey. There, I had the opportunity to study environmental science abroad, which opened the door to amazing experiences, including meeting inspiring individuals working in conservation and environmentalism. It was the first time I realized that this work was my calling.

That experience drove me to pursue a degree in wildlife biology and conservation management at the University of Delaware. It later became clear to me, though, that research biology was more solitary than I thought, and I needed a career that would let me interact with people from different places if I wanted to be a professional environmentalist..

 After realizing this, I started looking for alternative ways to be an environmentalist – taking other classes and talking to professionals with different backgrounds. For example, working with community groups, including the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, made me realize that environmentalism was not solely about saving remote wildlife or preserving iconic natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. It was equally about defending and protecting local communities, like in my own city, from environmental issues like pollution.

I delved deeper into understanding the intricate linkages between environmentalism, racism, politics, poverty, and education. My parents were involved in community work, and learning about environmental justice and community organizing felt natural to me because of that. I learned more about the place I grew up, the Bronx, where deliberate construction of highways cut through low-income communities, predominantly African Americans and Latinos. These were the people the city thought should be displaced, and or should endure the constant noise, contamination, traffic, and health issues like asthma. Both my older brothers suffer from asthma, probably due to this. This is why environmental law and policy seemed like a field where I could help: I could fight back against those intentional and harmful decisions, and assist many people and places at the same time.

Now, years later, I am senior legislative counsel for Earthjustice, working as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and ensuring the voices of these impacted communities are heard on in our nation’s capital. I work on water policy. Everyday I continue learning about how to work with community organizers, with scientists, with professors, and others, to deliver environmental justice to communities denied it for years.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned as an environmentalist and advocate is that politics is my biggest concern even more than any specific water issue. Politics impacts water, public lands, outdoor access, climate change, education, voter access, healthcare, everything we can imagine Because of politics, the people who are most affected by pollution, lack of clean water, and inequality have the least say in our government’s lawmaking. This is why being an environmental lobbyist was important to me – it would allow me to work at the intersection of science, law, and politics.

What does that work look like for me? Well, every day, I wake up thinking about how to protect our water: the water in our homes, and the water in our lakes and rivers and streams.

No matter your age, where you live, or political beliefs, water impacts everything and everyone. We all understand the importance of water from a young age. Unfortunately, certain communities, including Latino communities, have historically lacked access to clean water. At Earthjustice, I work with partners from across the country to break down these barriers and build support for policies that can ensure people everywhere have the clean water they deserve. 

That is why during Hispanic Heritage Month, I'm reminded of my parents who broke down barriers for me, inspired me to chase my dreams, emphasized the importance of community service and hard work, and instilled in me the values of empathy and inclusivity. I hear those same values from environmental justice champions all over the country – people who understand the need to work together, to be inclusive, and to fight on behalf of your community.

This month is an opportunity for all of us, Latine, to embrace our heritage and reflect on who we are, where we come from, and where we are now. It is also a time to learn about others: we latine people come from very diverse backgrounds and have varied perspectives and life experiences. One thing we have in common though is that our communities have often been left out from important decision-making processes that affect us directly. So, this is also a critical moment for us to question: Who holds power, and who does not? Who has a voice, and who does not? What can we do about that? How do we work with other marginalized communities? This month is a reminder that now is the best time as any to think about the answers to those questions, and to ask how we can work together within the Latine community as well as together with other communities to make a difference. Whether it is volunteering a few minutes per week or your full-time job to work with community organizers, a little reflection on these questions goes a long way – we all have a role to play.