LACCD Environmental Equity Education Demonstration Project
SEI’s Demonstration Project connects classrooms to community action — showing how environmental equity can become a living part of college curriculum across California.
Through professional development, faculty incentives, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the project empowers instructors to weave environmental equity into their teaching. The result: students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for environmental justice in their own communities.
Why This Matters
Community college students are uniquely positioned to lead change — living, studying, and working in communities most affected by climate and environmental inequities.
- True resilience and equity depend on climate-literate communities.
- Students live what we teach and make the most meaningful local connections.
- California Community College students often represent frontline communities disproportionately impacted by climate injustice.
- Climate change continues to burden low-income, working-class, and BIPOC communities most heavily.
Faculty — Why Participate
- Gain a deeper understanding of equity, sustainability, and climate justice.
- Transform climate anxiety into meaningful action through curriculum.
- Reach 125–150 students (or more) per year with relevant, applied learning.
- Prepare students for emerging careers and shifting priorities across disciplines.
Faculty — Common Barriers
- Lack of time to prepare or integrate sustainability topics.
- Limited confidence outside of STEM-related fields.
- Uncertainty about how environmental equity fits within specific subject areas.
43
Faculty
30+
Disciplines
9
Campuses
1530+
Students 2024-2025
7000+
Students 2025-2026
9
Environmental Equity Liasons