Communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, indigenous communities, and historically redlined areas bear disproportionate environmental burdens due to proximity to contamination and exclusion from decision-making. While advances in science have deepened understanding of these disparities, translating that knowledge into meaningful policy change and equitable environmental governance remains an enduring challenge — shaped by funding constraints, land-use regulations, and systemic inequities in how environmental protections are applied and enforced. Bridging this gap requires collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and community leaders to ensure research leads to lasting improvements in affected communities.

This session invites dialogue on environmental justice, policy, and community-driven action. We welcome contributions that document progress in grassroots activism and examine how science-informed policy can advance environmental justice across air, land, and water systems. This session is designed as an open dialogue — bringing together activists, scholars, and community leaders to share expertise and explore collaborative pathways toward more equitable outcomes.

• A - Atmospheric Sciences
• B - Biogeosciences
• GC - Global Environmental Change
• GH - GeoHealth