Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced the launch of an $85 million campaign that aims to halt the rapid expansion of petrochemical and plastic pollution in the United States.

The campaign, Beyond Petrochemicals: People Over Pollution, will build on the success of the foundation’s Beyond Coal and Beyond Carbon campaigns, with a goal of establishing stricter rules for existing petrochemical plants and blocking the construction of more than 120 proposed petrochemical projects concentrated in the target geographies of Louisiana, Texas, and the Ohio River Valley. Driven by community leadership, data and research, legislation and litigation, and stakeholder engagement, the campaign will scale the work being done by frontline groups within these communities, including Beyond Plastics, the Bullard Center at Texas Southern University, Defend Our Health, Earthjustice, Earthworks, the Hip Hop Caucus, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and Rise St. James; with Resources Legacy Fund supporting partners to achieve the campaign’s goals.

“We are only at the edge of understanding the true impacts of petrochemical pollution on public health—from cancer and birth defects to long-term chronic disease,” said Thomas A. Burke, professor emeritus from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “This initiative will provide valuable new data for measuring the toxic chemicals released into our air and water, and understanding their impacts on the health of both fenceline communities and the broader public.” 

“Petrochemical plants poison our air and water—killing Americans and harming the health of entire communities. And with many heavily polluting new projects planned around the U.S., we’re at a critical moment for stopping them,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Communities around the country are standing up to confront the petrochemical industry and defend their right to clean air and water. This campaign will help ensure more local victories, support laws that protect communities from harm, and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are fueling the climate crisis.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Sean Pavone Photo)