South Coast AQMD held its 7th Annual EJ Conference, The Fight for Clean Air, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Emcee Lou Calanche, Founder and Executive Director of Legacy LA, engaged participants with her energy and passion for environmental justice. South Coast AQMD Governing Board Vice Chair Vanessa Delgado delivered opening remarks and introduced the fireside chat between Governing Board Chair Ben J. Benoit and Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The interview touched on various topics including the former Governor’s accomplishments in climate and air pollution advocacy, work stemming from the Schwarzenegger Institute at USC and his nonprofit organization, messaging on air pollution and climate change, and his recommendation for the audience to continue advocating for their communities.

The conference included breakout sessions with moderators and panelists that discussed: Surviving the Pandemic Through Community Engagement, Environmental ARTivism, and Clean Air Heroes on the Move.

Another highlight was a discussion with California State Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez-Reyes, California State Assembly Member Isaac Bryan, and South Coast AQMD’s Governing Board Member and City of Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson. There were many remarks on mobile sources, South Coast AQMD’s indirect source warehouse rule, media coverage, and the importance of community participation in public forums.

About 230 participants comprised of EJ activists, community advocates and organizations, health professionals, academic researchers, government officials, and high school students attended the conference.