This Earth Day, many of us will plant trees, clean up neighborhoods, and recommit ourselves to protecting our planet. But in Prince George’s County, environmental justice cannot just be symbolic, it must be urgent, tangible, and rooted in the reality that too many families are struggling to breathe.
According to the American Lung Association, Prince George’s County has received an F grade for air quality. That is not just a statistic, it is a public health crisis. Poor air quality is directly linked to higher rates of asthma, heart disease, and emergency room visits. It means more children missing school, more seniors fighting preventable illnesses, and more families burdened by rising healthcare costs.
Environmental injustice does not happen by accident. For decades, communities like ours have been disproportionately exposed to pollution, from highways cutting through neighborhoods to industrial facilities placed near homes and schools. The result is clear: predominantly Black and Brown communities, like many in Prince George’s County, bear the heaviest burden of environmental harm.
This is not just an environmental issue. It is a matter of equity, public health, and economic justice.
I believe we must move beyond acknowledging these disparities and start fixing them. That begins with stronger oversight of polluters and real accountability for those who violate environmental standards. We need to invest in clean energy solutions that reduce emissions while creating good-paying jobs and cultivate cutting-edge industries right here in our community. And we must ensure that every family, regardless of zip code, has access to clean air, clean water, and green spaces.
This Earth Day, we should also recognize that environmental justice is about the future we are building for our children. When air quality is poor, it limits opportunity. Children with asthma are more likely to miss school and fall behind. Families facing chronic health issues have fewer economic opportunities. Clean air is not a luxury; it is foundational to a thriving community.
Prince George’s County is full of resilient, vibrant neighborhoods. But resilience should not mean enduring preventable harm. It should mean having the resources, protection, and investments needed to thrive. Indeed, with the right plan and execution, Prince George’s County can become the green innovative capital of the Greater Washington Region.
We have a choice. We can continue to accept environmental inequities as the status quo, or we can take bold action to correct them. This Earth Day must be a turning point, a moment when we commit not just to protecting the environment, but to protecting the people who call this community home.
Because environmental justice is not just about the earth. It’s about us.
Antoine M. Thompson is the CEO and executive director of Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition, a leading clean energy and transportation and environmental organization, serving DC, Maryland and Virginia. He is nationally recognized for his work on the environment and housing policy. He is a former NYS senator, and the first African American to chair the NYS Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation.