Tishman
Environment
and Design
Center

DESIGN, POLICY & SOCIAL JUSTICE

 
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What’s New

2025-2027 Strategic plan

At the Tishman Center, we know the best responses to climate and environmental injustice are community-led and movement-expansive.

Read The Plan Here
 
 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS Cumulative

Environmental Justice (EJ) communities have long faced multiple environmental, social, and public health stressors that stack up over time. These cumulative impacts (CI) deepen inequities and increase risks to health and well-being. EJ leaders have long called for laws that recognize these realities, driving progress in defining, measuring, and addressing CI. 

Learn more
 
 

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS WEBINAR RECORDING

Spurred by the leadership of Environmental Justice advocates, states are increasingly engaging in policymaking to respond to the cumulative environmental and social burdens faced by EJ communities. During this webinar, we shared key findings from a first-of-its-kind policy review and database designed to support the integration of cumulative impacts into state environmental permitting frameworks.

WATCH THE FULL RECORDING
 
 

IN THE PRESS

The New Republic teamed up with the New School for a lively discussion on the challenges of the climate crisis in the age of Trump 2.0.

read full article here
 
 

IN THE PRESS

As federal help fades, US states use their own laws to fight cumulative impact of pollution on poor and minority areas.

read full article here
 
 

Co-Authored Article by the Tishman Center

The Journal of Climate Resilience and Climate Justice (CRCJ) released  Volume 2, which includes an article "Climate Justice Futures: Carbon Management Risks and Alternatives," which examines the complex and often contested relationship between carbon removal strategies and climate justice. The article is co-authored by CRCJ Advisory Board member Dr. Ana Baptista, Director of the Tishman Environment & Design Center, along with a team of leading researchers

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

New Book Release & Recommended Reading

Featuring brief essays on 101 key terms by scholars, artists, and activists from around the world and across disciplines, Power Shift offers an expansive, kaleidoscopic guide to the history of petromodernity, recent technological and social developments, and pathways to new energy futures.” Dr. Ana Isabel Baptista, Assistant Professor at The New School and Director of the Tishman Environment and Design Center, contributes the chapter “Solidarity: How can solidarity catalyze energy democracy?”

WVU Press

BOOK WEBSITE

Newly Released: The Just Returns Project, Clean Investments Real Climate Impact

We invite you to examine and share The Just Returns Project. This research series reflects findings across three elements that are key to understanding how capital and resources flow—or not—to grassroots environmental justice and climate justice organizations: 

Part One: Put Your Money Where Your Mission Is: How to Make Your Investments Climate-Justice Aligned

Part Two: Put Your Money Where Your Mission Is: How to Make Your Grantmaking Practices Climate-Justice Aligned 

Part Three: Voicing the Power of Climate Justice: Insights on the Impact and Scale of Grassroots Initiatives. Dr. Jennifer Santos Ramirez, Senior Researcher at the Tishman Center, authored this report.

Catalyzing Clean Energy & Climate Justice in a Time of Crisis

On Earth Day 2025, we kicked off the Tishman Environment and Design Center’s 20th anniversary with a powerful keynote conversation featuring visionary leaders advancing community-led environmental and energy justice.

At a time when frontline communities continue to push for bold, equitable climate solutions, this conversation explored how we sustain momentum and build power for a just, clean energy transition.

WATCH THE FULL KEYNOTE

SHARE THE HIGHLIGHTS ON INSTAGRAM

ej disrupt design community stories

This past April, the Tishman Center’s Environmental Justice Disrupt Design (EJDD) Fellowship, comprising of 18 environmental leaders and 16 community organizations across seven U.S. states, Hawai’i, and three Indigenous territories—gathered in Borikén (Puerto Rico) as EJ fellows launched Year Two of their work, designing in their core groups and deepening their collective practice.

We are honored to share our recap video, gratitude report, and blog post, which were born out of this retreat.

AIR DESIGN CYCLE VIDEO

AIR DESIGN CYCLE GRATITUDE REPORT

AIR DESIGN CYCLE BLOG

New Report

Authored by Dr. Jennifer Santos Ramirez, Senior Researcher at the Tishman Environment and Design Center. This report affirms the vital role that grassroots environmental and climate justice organizations play in advancing intersectional solutions across food systems, legacy pollution, economic equity, energy transitions, and more.

READ HERE

In the News

Read the full article here.

 
 

About us

Our Mission: The Tishman Center is a collaborative community of practice that leverages research, policy, and design in accordance with the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. We bring together research and action to tackle the root causes of climate and environmental injustice and commit to change in higher education practices within and beyond The New School.

Our Vision: We envision a future of environmental justice- a world that is free from racism, in balance with nature, with care and respect for all beings.

Learn more about our story.

 

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