YEAR IN REVIEW

To Our Community Members and Valued Partners,

 

As we reflect on 2024, we are proud to report that it was another busy and impactful year for the Vessel Project of Louisiana. Our commitment to community engagement, advocacy, and environmental justice drove us to host 12 community meetings, attend monthly city council, police jury, and school board meetings, and actively engage in numerous events and initiatives throughout the year.

 

Some Highlights of 2024:

 

January:

- We kicked off the year with a community meeting and an annual coat drive, ensuring warmth for those in need.

- Our team traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the pause on LNG permits, marking a significant milestone in our efforts.

- Engagements included participating in the Krewe of Gumbo yaya Mardi Gras ball.

 

February:

- We continued our community outreach with another meeting and were honored to receive the Trailblazer Award at Mount Olive Baptist Church.

- Hosted a listening tour with Oxfam, amplifying community voices on essential issues.

 

March:

- Our participation in the Louisiana Climate Donor convening and Global Energy Monitor Staff retreat solidified our role as a leader in climate advocacy.

- We participated in a press conference on the EIP Plastics Pollution Report, raising awareness about critical environmental issues.

- A toxic tour for partners and funders highlighted the realities faced by communities in Southwest Louisiana.

 

April:

- We celebrated Earth Day with an event in Sulphur and continued our advocacy with Oxfam through an Environmental Justice tour.

- Our efforts in D.C. included lobbying and participation in FERC meetings, emphasizing our commitment to national policy change.

 

May:

- Hosted in a community meeting, spoke at Circularity ‘24, and launched the Summer of Heat initiative along with our partners and friends, which aimed to address the funding of fossil fuel projects from banks such as Citibank which contribute to climate impacts on vulnerable populations.

 

June:

- Hosted a Hurricane Preparedness Resource Fair and participated in various events, including the Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Lake Charles.

- Participated in a press conference with Senator Markey which highlighted the importance of legislative support in our fight for environmental justice.

 

July:

- Participated in the Netroots Nations Panel, participated in events at the Essence Festival, and engaged in community meetings, further solidifying our network of support.

 

August:

- Continued our grassroots efforts with community meetings and participation in the Democratic National Convention, where we shared our mission with a wider audience.

 

September:

- Attending the Congressional Black Caucus and our participation in Climate Week showcased our dedication to environmental justice and community empowerment.

 

October:

- Engagements included a press call, participation in the Fannie Lou Hamer birthday event, and the Carbon Removers Summit, where we shared insights on the intersection of race and climate justice.

 

November:

- We celebrated recognition in Business Insider and engaged with the White House on fair shares meetings, advocating for equitable climate policies.

- Our efforts culminated in winning the Halt the Harm Network Sentinel Award, recognizing our relentless pursuit of justice.

 

December:

- We closed the year with the prestigious Inaugural Shirley Chisholm Black Femme Sistership Award from The Chisholm Legacy Project, alongside a community meeting and the Climate Fight Ahead event in D.C.

 

Some Wins for 2024:

 

- The Biden Administration announced the pausing of DOE LNG permit approvals—a significant victory for our advocacy efforts.

 

- We successfully helped to delay the CP2 and Commonwealth projects, highlighting environmental concerns.

 

- The Mossville Borrow Pit was halted, reflecting our commitment to protecting local communities.

 

- The EPA agreed to designate three petrochemicals as High Priority Substances for risk evaluation, a critical step towards public health protection.

 

- A Department of Energy study underscored the negative impacts of new natural gas export terminals, reinforcing our advocacy work.

 

- Notably, NYC Comptroller Lander proposed excluding future fossil fuel investments, aligning with our mission for a sustainable future.

 

Other 2024 highlights:

 

-Sponsored and partnered with several community organizations.

-Hosted a Mother’s Day Tea highlighting how Mothers are leading the fight for environmental justice.

-Hosted a Breast Cancer event highlighting the link between cancer and pollution.

-Participated in a community clean up event highlighting the plastic pollution in the community.

-Hosted a Halloween/Fall giveaway highlighting that the scary monsters in our community are the fossil fuel industries.

-Appeared in several news articles, on air (both tv and radio) highlighting the environmental injustices in our community.

-Amplified youth voices.

-Hosted a back to school, Thanksgiving and Christmas event each assisting hundreds of community members.

-Bill, emergency, and disaster assistance for thousands of community members in Louisiana and surrounding areas.

 

As we look forward to 2025, we remain grateful for your support and partnership. Together, we will continue to advocate for environmental justice, community empowerment, and a sustainable future.

 

Thank you for being a crucial part of our journey.