SEJ was started by a diverse group of people, many of whom have a long-standing interest in environmental and social justice matters, brought together over the past two years by a recognition of the unequal impacts of policies, most notably the creation of so-called Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. We are teachers, nurses, bus drivers, journalists, scientists, independent business owners, doctors, cab drivers, shop assistants, lawyers, classroom assistants, retired persons, etc. We are the community.

The group has no political affiliation, and everyone is welcome to join our campaigns as long as they support our mission statement and aims.

Environmental injustice doesn't just “happen elsewhere” - it happens right here in the UK. A prime example is the recent implementation of  “Low Traffic Neighbourhoods” (LTNs) that have pushed traffic out of areas that already had cleaner air onto our residential community roads that already suffer from higher levels of toxic air. People living on the residential community roads tend to come from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds and often fall into lower-economic categories.  They also failed residents with disabilities, whose needs often require use of the LTN roads, and their lives are made worse due to the increased traffic on other roads. Diverting traffic onto roads where poorer people and People of Colour tend to walk, attend schools and nurseries, shop, run businesses, use public transport is a social and environmental injustice.

SEJ was born from our growing concern over the differential health and well-being impacts directly resulting from the LTNs.

We believe that nobody in our community should have to experience disproportionate negative impacts of central or local government action, above all, in the area of environmental policy. 

The future is only "green" if it is also equal and just.