Celebrating Victories: The Fight for Environmental Justice

“Celebrating Victories” is a collection of photo essays about the people and the communities behind some of our most inspired victories. In each essay, we tell the human story of an ELAW partner winning a battle to make the world a better place.

This work is not for the faint of heart. As corporations extend their reach around the globe, many communities bear unjust burdens. These communities must be able to speak out to protect their environment, public health, and human rights. Advocates need to protect themselves from powerful forces that want to silence opposition.

ELAW partners play a key role in securing environmental justice. Working together, we have helped our partners defend wild places, keep coal in the ground, protect communities from toxics, prevent environmental disasters, and secure lasting justice.

We hope these stories of hard-fought wins give real hope to communities and grassroots advocates everywhere seeking a clean and healthy environment for our children, and our children’s children.

Many thanks to Susan Palmer for interviewing ELAW partners and sharing their stories through the following essays.

Bangladesh: Protecting People and the World’s Largest Delta
Canada: Bringing the Jordan River Back to Life
India: Mercury Poisoning and a Win for Dignity
Jamaica: Goat Islands Saved by a Tweet
Mexico: Saying “No” to a Mega-Mall in a Protected Area
Nicaragua: Nexus of Human Rights and Land Rights for Indigenous Peoples
Philippines: Safeguarding a Marine Reserve from Oil Exploration
South Africa: Keeping Coal in the Ground
Tanzania: Growing Grassroots Organizations Across Africa
Uganda: Tackling an Invasive in Lake Victoria
Ukraine: Protecting an International Waterway
Around the Globe: Defending Defenders

This publication would not have been possible without the generous support of John Allcott and Beth Hunt. We appreciate the confidence in our work!