By Sharon C. Lavigne, Founder & Director of RISE St. James Louisiana 

I  can’t believe how many audiences I spoke in front of this past year- the United Nations, the EPA, Citibank executives, the other Time 100 honorees, Essence attendees, state and federal judges, renowned scientists…I even got to meet President Biden.

Across the world, people are finally hearing what fenceline communities in Cancer Alley have been saying for decades: pollution from petrochemicals and other heavy industries is killing people, poisoning the water and soil, and causing climate change. And the world wants to move past these dirty industries towards a clean and regenerative future. 

My invitations to speak before global audiences were all in support of the work that we do here in our home. Our RISE members, staff, and I also spoke out again and again here in Louisiana against dirty industrial pollution and the harms like cancer, low birth weight, and asthma it causes in communities like mine. Sometimes we were supported. Often, we were ignored. We were even actively silenced.

We called on Gov. Landry to meet with us- and when he didn’t, we brought people from across Louisiana to voice our concerns at a rally on the steps of the State Capitol. We called on President Biden to cancel Formosa Plastics’ permits- and when he didn’t, we collected over 90,000 signatures from across the world. Ignoring our voices does not make us or the problems we fight against disappear.   

But where I want to speak the most this year is in St. James Parish and the other River Parishes that make up Cancer Alley. I want our Parish Councils, LDEQ, Department of Energy and Natural Resources, and Planning Commission to understand that what seems like purely local issues, like issuing a permit for air pollution, have a negative global impact. The world is watching what we do here.

The great thing about a democracy is that every citizen has a voice. Unfortunately, for many years, sometimes, the voices of big business seemed to matter more to our state and local officials. This year, we want to be a voice of education and of partnership with our local officials when it comes to what we and our world-class allies know: the science, economics, and health benefits of bringing an end to the fossil fuel era.

Yes, we have brought lawsuits against the parish and the state on multiple occasions- and that is another bright point about democracy. Any person or group who violates our laws, no matter how big and powerful, can be brought to justice. (But let’s hope for no more lawsuits in 2025.) 

So, this year, if you feel like making a positive change in your community, won’t you consider joining our RISE meetings? We are happy to welcome new members and hear about the dreams you have for a beautiful, clean, and prosperous home.

Many of our members and their families worked in the plants, including mine, so please don’t let that stop you. This invitation goes out to our Parish Council members and other local officials as well. Let’s try talking to each other more. I know we all have one thing in common- we all love St. James Parish.