NAACP Opposes “Jobs versus Environment” Myth

WHEREAS, the "jobs versus environment" myth has been used as a corporate strategy to cause alarm in low-income communities of color by claiming that unemployment or economic hardship will result if residents oppose weak environmental controls or new polluting facilities in their neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP recognizes recent studies disproving the "jobs versus environment" myth, including: the Congressional Black Caucus' recent study concluding that industries over-estimate the number of jobs polluting facilities provide to poor communities and the number of jobs provided to communities diminished over time; the Institute for Southern Studies' recent study proving that states with the best environmental records also offer the best job opportunities and long-term economic development; and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' data documenting that only seven (7) of the 6,000 annual mass layoffs are environmentally related.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP oppose any corporate strategy that promises jobs to communities of color to coerce residents to accept a polluting industry in their neighborhood; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP oppose any corporate strategy that fabricates a threat of unemployment on workers of color as a weapon to resist environmental regulation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP call upon all units to immediately demand that environmentally regulated industries stop using the "jobs versus environment" myth in their communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP call upon all units to demand that environmentally regulated industries fulfill their outstanding promise of job opportunities to communities; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP call upon all units to continue to advocate through direct action, legislation, litigation and pre-approved coalitions against environmental racism.