Drawdown’s Neighborhood is a climate solutions short documentary series passing the mic to climate heroes who often go unheard.

Tri-State (CT, NJ, NY): Episode #

—Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Anthony Diaz:
Serving Up Community & Clean Water in Newark

“[Community members] come to this space and they know that they are going to be treated with respect, someone is going to listen to them, someone is going to hear them, someone is going to see them, and that is what I am finding that beyond all of the tangible things we give out that’s the one thing people want the most.”

In this Episode

Anthony Diaz

He/Him

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Newark Water Coalition

Matt Scott

He/Him

Director, Storytelling & Engagement

Project Drawdown

Anthony’s Story

We all deserve to be protected, build resilience in our communities, and use our collective power to fight back – especially as climate change becomes more intense. Anthony Diaz is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Newark Water Coalition – a multi-generational, multi-ethnic coalition working to foster the understanding that water, housing, and food are human rights and are an essential frame for discussing climate solutions that address multiple needs.

In 2016, Newark experienced a water crisis, with dangerous levels of lead leaching into people’s home water supply through outdated pipes. While the city has worked with community leaders to make significant progress on replacing lead piping, access to clean drinking water remains a concern. To date, the Newark Water Coalition has distributed over 300,000 gallons of water, more than 1,000 water filters, and approximately 400,000 pounds of food through community events. This work provides Newark with the essential social infrastructure needed so communities can adapt, be self-sufficient, and be better prepared as climate change intensifies.

Discussion Questions

One of the most important things you can do regarding climate change is talk about it.

Anthony talks about the power of community and how your environment shapes you. He recalls growing up in Newark and feeling a sense of connectedness: "It was a time when you knew your neighbors were involved in the community; everybody looked out for each other." Anthony's experience of the power of community fostered his identity and provided him with grit, tenacity, and perseverance that have reinforced his character and sense of self. "I am still here giving back because the city has given so much to me." Have you ever experienced the power of community? Describe the setting and situation, and share any character-building traits that may have been inspired in you by that experience.
A core value for Anthony is having a spirit of generosity, which is part of the vision he has for his community to be “liberated” and afforded a better future. Ensuring that all people in Newark have clean drinkable water is a human right and essential for liberation. “If there is one place that we are called to be, it is in our community where we are most needed,” he says. What is a core value that shapes your worldview, and how might that inform your vision for a better future?
Through contactless water delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthony explains that the Newark Water Coalition learned about another critical need: access to food. This spurred the development of a greenhouse, aeroponics operation, and community refrigerator and pantry to grow and give food to those in need. “It helps me to understand that there is an inherent value in everybody. Everyone is worthy of food, water, shelter, and more. Everyone is worthy, and everyone has an inherent value," Anthony says. Why is it essential to view human rights – including access to clean water, air, food, shelter, and safety – as necessary for solutions to climate change? And when we work from that lens, how might climate solutions create a more significant impact for people and our planet?
When considering the history of Black and Brown people, Anthony shares that the reality of oppression has greatly limited opportunity. “Our potentials are limited because our dreams are limited…because we are faced with a reality of not being able to thrive…it comes down to…reframing what success looks like…” He adds, “We need to carve out space for ourselves so that we lead others… to the potential and possibility.” Why is it important to intentionally invest in spaces that enable people to see possibilities for their futures? How might this approach be necessary for inspiring opportunities and encouraging career paths in climate solutions?

Learn More

Learn about the solutions in this story.

Solution Sector: Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Solution: Address Waste and Diets
For more on all of Project Drawdown’s climate solutions, visit drawdown.org/solutions
Learn more about Anthony’s work at Newark Water Coalition

Explore Climate Solutions 101, the world's first major educational effort focused solely on climate solutions. This video series combines Project Drawdown’s trusted resources with the expertise of inspiring, scientifically knowledgeable voices from around the world: drawdown.org/climate-solutions-101.

Check out the Drawdown Roadmap, a science-based strategy for accelerating climate solutions that ensures efforts to stop climate change by governments, businesses, investors, philanthropists, community organizations, and others are as impactful as possible.

Visit the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, a resource that shares research, communications strategy, and opinion polling on climate communications.

Take Action

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Drawdown Ecochallenge, presented by Ecochallenge.org, is a fun and social way to take measurable action on the top climate solutions. Take the challenge, and see how a few weeks of action add up to a lifetime of change for you and the planet. If you want to take action on climate solutions like Anthony, start a challenge today.
The Drawdown Labs Job Function Action Guides are practical resources that highlight specific, high-impact climate actions employees in common corporate professions can take at work.
ChangeX connects people with proven ideas for strengthening communities with the resources needed to implement those changes. Explore countless ways to improve your community and help the world reach drawdown.
Climate Generation's Green Careers for a Changing Climate Instructional Supplement (for Grades 6-8) contains resources to help young people learn about Green STEM Careers—paths that use STEM skills to help reduce the impacts of climate change. Throughout this instructional supplement, students use Project Drawdown resources to make important connections between climate solutions and different careers.
Solutions Journalism Network highlights the importance of reporting stories of climate solutions in the media to create a more equitable and sustainable world. Visit their Teaching Climate Solutions resource to find curated collections and the latest examples of climate solutions journalism.
SubjectToClimate (StC) is a nonprofit online connector for K-12 leaders of all subjects to find materials on climate change at no cost. Explore StC’s educator-generated database to connect to Project Drawdown-based climate education resources.