From this year’s deadly wildfires to the lasting effects of a toxic recycling plant miles away, residents in Boyle Heights and East LA know the impacts of climate change and air pollution all too well. Now, they have an opportunity to use their firsthand experience to help address the issue — and get paid.
Climate Resolve and Promesa Boyle Heights have joined forces to create a community-led air monitoring network that will place 10 air quality monitors across the Eastside and are seeking participants.
“Hopefully we can better grasp the reality of air quality issues in East LA and Boyle Heights with support and guidance from community members,” said Keila Villegas, a climate resilience organizer at Climate Resolve.
Who can participate?
The organizations are seeking 15 community members age 16 and older who either live or work in Boyle Heights or East LA to participate in the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
Youth applicants ages 16 to 19 must be bilingual in English and Spanish and adults 20 and older must be fluent in Spanish to participate. According to Villegas, this will ensure that there are no language barriers among participants and they will all be able to work together.
What is the commitment and how much is the stipend?
Being part of the CAC is a yearlong commitment, and those chosen will receive a $1,400 stipend for their participation.
To be eligible, applicants must commit to attending four two-hour-long quarterly committee meetings and three community events throughout the year. Meetings will most likely be held on weekday evenings or weekend mornings, according to the application.
What will the committee do?
In addition to choosing the locations of the air monitors, participants will share their priorities regarding environmental justice and advocate for cleaner air in their communities. They will also learn about air quality standards, pollution sources, health impacts and mitigation strategies from the Climate Resolve team.
“Centering the voices around the communities directly impacted is important to us,” Villegas said.
Why was the Eastside chosen?
In 2017, the State of California passed Assembly Bill 617 and created the Community Air Protection Program to “reduce exposure in communities most impacted by air pollution. …and implement new strategies to measure air pollution and reduce health impacts,” according to the California Air Resources Board.
The state identified Boyle Heights and East LA as areas significantly impacted by heavy industrial activity, vehicle emissions and a lack of green space, according to Villegas. Climate Resolve and Promesa Boyle Heights were chosen to do community outreach and air quality monitoring in the area.
How to apply:
The application is available online and will close on Jan. 10. Four youth and 11 adult participants will be chosen in mid-January.