What's Happening?
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is actively seeking a Place-Based State Advocate for Environmental Health. This remote position, based in or near Richmond, Virginia, is a two-year limited-term role focused on advancing environmental health
priorities within the state and broader southeastern region. Key areas of focus include climate adaptation and drinking water policies. The advocate will be responsible for policy development, coalition-building, and advocacy, working to protect communities from climate change and environmental health risks through an equity and justice lens. The role requires strong communication skills and a commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Responsibilities also include building partnerships with communities most affected by environmental and climate injustices, such as Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, as well as low-income and rural communities. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).
Why It's Important?
This initiative by the NRDC is important for several reasons, particularly for environmental policy and community advocacy in the U.S. The focus on climate adaptation and drinking water policies directly addresses critical public health and environmental challenges facing Virginia and the southeastern United States. By emphasizing an equity and justice lens, the NRDC aims to ensure that environmental protections are extended to historically marginalized and frontline communities, who often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution and climate impacts. This role will influence state-level laws and policies, potentially leading to improved air quality, reduced toxic chemicals in consumer products, and a stronger stance against fossil fuel development in the region. The advocate's work in coalition-building with diverse groups, including environmental justice organizations, consumer advocates, labor, and faith communities, can foster a more inclusive and effective environmental movement, ultimately benefiting public health and environmental integrity across the region.
What's Next?
The selected Place-Based State Advocate will immediately begin working to advance state-level laws and policies in Virginia, with a primary focus on climate risk reduction, homeowner insurance reform, and water affordability. This will involve engaging with state and local policymakers, building and sustaining partnerships with affected communities, and representing NRDC in various public forums and media engagements. The advocate will also contribute to broader environmental health goals, such as promoting air quality and combating fossil fuel development in the southeastern U.S. The two-year limited term suggests a focused effort to achieve specific policy outcomes within this timeframe. Success in this role could lead to the adoption of new environmental regulations and policies, setting precedents for other states facing similar challenges. The ongoing advocacy and coalition-building efforts are expected to continue shaping the environmental policy landscape in Virginia and the broader region.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the immediate policy objectives, this position highlights a growing trend in environmental advocacy: the integration of social justice and equity into climate and environmental health initiatives. By explicitly focusing on communities most affected by environmental and climate injustices, the NRDC is acknowledging and addressing the systemic inequalities that often exacerbate environmental harm. This approach moves beyond traditional environmentalism to a more holistic framework that recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental protection, public health, and social equity. The emphasis on building strong relationships with Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, as well as low-income and rural communities, signifies a shift towards community-led solutions and a more inclusive form of environmental governance. This could lead to long-term shifts in how environmental policies are developed and implemented, ensuring that the benefits of environmental protection are equitably distributed and that the voices of marginalized communities are central to decision-making processes.
