Introduction by Tom Hayden. The stratification of American society, along racial and economic lines, is built into the distribution of pollution. How is the movement towards clean energy and a low-carbon economy dovetailing with climate justice and the efforts of frontline communities? Arsenio Mataka, Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs for CalEPA, walks us through the state of the state and provides key recommendations for forward progress. Prior to CalEPA, Arsenio served as directing attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. from 2010-2012, were he fought for justice alongside some of the most exploited communities in our society.

This speech was given at the California Climate Leadership Intensive, hosted by Bioneers as a supplement to the 2014 Bioneers National Conference.