Latest Articles
Understanding the Limits and Meaning of Trump’s Inaugural Executive Orders
On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump kicked off his ongoing blitz of signing Executive Orders (EOs) and other directives addressing issues ranging from gender to renaming the Gulf of Mexico. These actions are marked by their colorful, hyper-partisan language and apparently sweeping breadth, in addition to their vagueness, sloppy drafting,…
New Report: Defending and Advancing Climate Justice Policies
In early 2024 Just Solutions convened nearly 50 national and state organizations together to research, compile and publish, Defending and Advancing Climate Justice Policies, a comprehensive analysis of how we can collectively advance and defend climate justice in the face of various outcomes of the federal elections. Well, here we are. Now we face many…
An Immediate Opportunity to Modernize Residential Energy Codes for a Resilient Future
With many of our partners, Just Solutions urges the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to take immediate action requiring that the home mortgages they back for new construction conform to the updated 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) codes. Together, we have submitted a letter to the Biden…
President Carter and the Policy and Politics of Energy Sufficiency
The passing of President Jimmy Carter has brought about a renewed interest in 1970’s energy issues, like lines at gas stations, solar panels on the White House, and putting on a cardigan. Some look back with nostalgia at Carter as a strong voice for energy conservation with unique moral clarity. Others see him as politically naïve…
Left in the Dark; Utility Disconnections in the United States
When households are unable to pay for their energy bills in full or on time, utility providers often shut off their service. By the end of 2024, utility shut-offs are projected to increase by 300,000 households, to 3.5 million total. When a household is disconnected from its electric utility service, there are severe consequences, such…
Justice40 and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool at Risk
Just Solutions launched a collaborative effort this past Spring with our national and state partners to highlight policy pathways advocates could pursue to advance and defend climate justice depending upon the presidential election results. Now that the results are known, our forthcoming report to be released in January will highlight what to expect in a…
Reflections on the 40th Anniversary of the Bhopal Chemical Disaster: Defending People over Profit
On December 2, 1984, as the city slept, 40 tons of deadly gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide production facilities in Bhopal, India. By sunrise, over 2,000 people were dead. Over half a million people in the villages and slums surrounding the plant were affected, including over 200,000 children and 3,000 pregnant women. Many…
Social Housing as an Avenue for Environmental Justice
Background and Past Work As the climate crisis and housing crisis continue to exacerbate one another, solutions that adequately and equitably address both issues are more important than ever. The Just Solutions policy team has analyzed solutions at the intersection of climate justice and housing in the past, and found that many of them are…
Election Statement: Defending Climate Justice
For those committed to racial, social, and environmental justice, the national election was a gut punch. A result that will have far reaching and devastating consequences for ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and the planet. The coming days will require us to catch our breath, then begin organizing to fight harder and smarter. We…
Utility Justice: Why it Matters and Resources for Advocates
More than 30 million households in the United States are energy insecure, meaning that they are unable to adequately meet household energy needs. High energy costs as a fraction of household income — called energy burden — is a major stressor on the finances of low-income households. In the U.S., around 3,000 electric utility companies…
