What is a Just Transition?

“There is a Superfund for dirt. There ought to be one for workers.”

—Tony Mazzocchi, the late leader with the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union

A just transition is a guiding principle that asserts a healthy economy and a clean environment can and should co-exist. As we transition away from fossil fuel-reliant industries, our goal is to support a sustainable future that’s fair for everyone, one that doesn’t compromise workers' or residents’ health, environment, jobs, or financial well-being.

A core tenet of just transition is that those most affected by pollution — frontline workers and fenceline communities — should be in the leadership of crafting policy solutions.

Beyond its origins in labor and environmental negotiations, just transition has evolved into a comprehensive framework for shifting from an extractive economy to a regenerative one.

This is achieved through:

  • Democratic decision-making: Ensuring everyone has a voice and a seat at the table.

  • Unionized job creation: Developing unionized jobs that provide family-sustaining wages and comprehensive benefits

  • Addressing historical social injustices: Addressing harms endured by low-income communities, communities of color, and Indigenous communities.

  • Community and worker ownership: Empowering local control over essential resources like energy, land, water, and food systems.

  • Ecological resilience and sovereignty: Fostering sustainable practices and community self-determination.

Industrial factory with smoke stacks emitting smoke, viewed across a body of water with wooden posts in the foreground.

This framework establishes a trajectory from today's capitalist, extractive economy to a new, regenerative economy of tomorrow.

What is a Regenerative Economy?

A regenerative economy goes beyond minimizing the impact of destructive and extractive industries, instead emphasizing a positive vision for the future based on ecological restoration and community protection.

We believe that we can make this possible by centering justice in our organizing work, building equitable partnerships across our communities, and implementing fair, participatory processes to make space for everyone to participate in this vision for the future.

Here in Northwest Indiana, JTNWI is organizing at the grassroots level to confront NWI's decades-long designation as an industrial sacrifice zone to reclaim our community health, well-being, and narratives.

  • Colorful illustration of purple mushrooms, a snail, lush leaves, and a quote about building a healthy ecosystem, with the words 'Buen Vivir' at the top.

    Buen Vivir

    We can live well without living better at the expense of others.

  • Illustration of a person in beekeeper suit inspecting a hive surrounded by colorful flowers, with wind turbines in the background, and the text 'Meaningful Work' at the top.

    Meaningful Work

    Create opportunities for people to learn, grow, and develop to their full capacities and interests.

  • A woman viewed from behind, raising a pen to a world map while surrounded by colorful flowers, with the words 'Self Determination' written over the map.

    Self Determination

    All peoples have the right to participate in decisions that impact their lives.

  • A mural of a brick building with four children and a woman holding a sign that says "We deserve everything" in front of it, with trees and sunlight in the background.

    Equitable Redistribution of Resources and Power

    Build new systems that are good for all people, and not just a few.

  • Illustration of a community with solar panels, wind turbines, birds flying, and flowers, symbolizing renewable and ecological economies. Text reads, "Regenerative Ecological Economies, Create Strong Communities."

    Regenerative Ecological Economics

    Advance ecological resilience, reduce resource consumption, restore biodiversity and traditional ways of life, and undermine extractive economies.

  • Illustration of a family reading a book surrounded by sunflowers, with two hummingbirds, a pie chart, and concentric circles in the background, and the text "Culture & Tradition" at the bottom.

    Culture and Tradition

    Create inclusionary spaces for all traditions and cultures.

  • Illustration of many birds flying in the sky, with one prominently detailed blue bird at the bottom and the word 'SOLIDARITY' in large blue letters.

    Solidarity

    Recognize the interconnectedness of our communities as well as our issues.

  • An illustration of a light blue house with four people gardening in the front yard, with a city skyline in the background and trees surrounding the house, under the text 'Building what we need now'.

    Build the World We Need Now

    Because there’s no time to wait.