At Lifers Leaving a Legacy (3Ls), we recognize that environmental protection isn’t just about preserving nature—it’s about safeguarding the health and well-being of Oakland’s residents. The impacts of pollution, climate change, and environmental hazards are felt most in the neighborhoods where we live, work, and raise our families.

Our mission is to reduce environmental risks, improve air and water quality, and promote sustainable solutions that create a healthier, more resilient Oakland. We focus on education, action, and advocacy, ensuring that all communities—especially those in high-risk areas—have access to clean air, safe water, and a livable environment.

Through community engagement, workforce development, and strategic partnerships, we work to:

• Combat illegal dumping and its public health consequences

• Improve air quality and fight pollution-related health disparities

• Promote clean energy workforce opportunities for Oakland residents

• Expand access to sustainable resources like clean energy and waste reduction programs

• Hold environmental violators accountable for the damage they cause

As environmental vanguards, we take action to protect both Oakland’s people and its ecosystems. Explore our initiatives to see how we’re making an impact.

3Ls' Environmental Protection Principles

At 3Ls, we believe that environmental protection is about safeguarding both people and the planet. Our work is guided by core principles that ensure Oakland’s communities—especially those most impacted by environmental hazards—are protected, empowered, and equipped for a sustainable future.

🔹 Clean Air, Water & Land for All – Every Oakland resident deserves access to clean air, safe drinking water, and unpolluted land. We advocate for stronger regulations and community-driven solutions to combat air pollution, toxic waste, and environmental neglect.

🔹 Community Health & Safety First – Environmental hazards directly impact public health. We address environmental risks such as illegal dumping, poor air quality, and industrial pollution to protect our communities from preventable illnesses.

🔹 Public Engagement & Education – Knowledge is power. We ensure that residents have access to information about environmental risks and solutions so they can advocate for a cleaner, safer Oakland.

🔹 Corporate & Government Accountability – Those who pollute our environment must be held responsible. We push for policy changes, corporate responsibility, and government action to protect the health of Oakland’s communities.

🔹 Equitable Access to Clean Jobs & a Clean Energy Economy – The clean energy future must benefit everyone. We promote workforce training, environmental career pathways, and sustainable business practices that support Oakland’s transition to a clean energy economy while creating high-quality jobs.

🔹 Sustainable Development & Climate Resilience – Oakland’s future depends on sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, and climate adaptation. We advocate for policies and projects that make our city more resilient to climate change and environmental challenges.

🔹 A Cleaner, Greener Oakland – We are actively restoring Oakland’s natural spaces through community clean-ups, tree planting, and urban beautification projects to reduce harmful toxins, containments, greenhouse gases (GHG) and improve overall quality of life.

These principles drive our work, partnerships, and advocacy efforts—because a healthier environment means a healthier community.

AB 617: A Pathway to Cleaner Air and Stronger Communities

California’s Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617) is a critical tool for environmental protection, designed to tackle air pollution where it hits hardest—disadvantaged communities. Enacted in 2017, this legislation empowers local communities by providing resources for air quality monitoring and targeted emission reduction efforts.

At 3L, we see AB 617 as an opportunity to drive measurable environmental improvements in Oakland, particularly in areas burdened by industrial pollution. Through this law, residents gain access to funding, data, and decision-making power, ensuring that those most impacted by poor air quality have a voice in shaping solutions.

By supporting Community Emission Reduction Plans (CERPs) and advocating for enforceable actions, we are working to hold polluters accountable, push for cleaner industry practices, and protect public health. AB 617 is more than a policy—it’s a vehicle for lasting change, cleaner air, and stronger, healthier communities.

Environmental Protection in Oakland: A Case Study

Oakland’s communities, particularly East and West Oakland, face severe environmental hazards from multiple sources, including emissions from the Port of Oakland, industrial pollution, and heavy traffic congestion. These factors contribute to increased rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health conditions, disproportionately affecting historically underserved neighborhoods. The impacts of environmental degradation extend beyond public health—they influence economic opportunity, educational outcomes, and housing stability. Many of Oakland’s unhoused residents, including Returning Family Members, struggle with these compounded environmental challenges.

At 3Ls, we are committed to addressing these issues through action and empowerment. By leveraging tools like AB 617, we advocate for cleaner air, stronger regulations, and sustainable solutions that put communities first. Our initiatives focus on:

• Clean Jobs and Clean Energy Economy – Providing workforce training and career development for Oakland residents in clean energy, green infrastructure, and emerging sustainable industries to create pathways to stable, well-paying jobs.

• Environmental Awareness and Empowerment – Educating residents on how environmental hazards impact their health and communities, equipping them with the knowledge to advocate for solutions and participate in policy decisions.

• Community Beautification, Clean-Ups, and Tree Planting – Restoring Oakland’s green spaces through tree planting, urban revitalization, and organized community clean-up efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), improve neighborhood safety, and foster community pride.

• Digital Access and Workforce Training – Ensuring Returning Family Members, Unhoused Residents, and other marginalized groups gain digital literacy, employment skills, and access to technology to thrive in today’s workforce.

• Youth Engagement and Development – Building a stronger future by fostering leadership, environmental stewardship, and career pathways for Oakland’s next generation through mentorship, training, and hands-on community projects.

Our mission is clear: to protect, restore, and empower. By tackling environmental hazards head-on and investing in our communities, we are shaping a healthier, more sustainable Oakland for all.

A Vision for the Future

At 3Ls, our vision for environmental protection is rooted in safeguarding both the health of our communities and the ecosystems they depend on. We recognize that pollution, resource depletion, and environmental neglect directly threaten the well-being of Oakland residents—especially those in historically underserved neighborhoods. Our mission is to reverse this damage through education, advocacy, and action.

By equipping community members with the knowledge and tools to protect their environment, we empower them to take an active role in shaping a cleaner, healthier future. We believe that long-term sustainability is not just about reducing emissions and planting trees—it’s about ensuring that those most impacted by environmental harm have the power and resources to reclaim their communities.

Our approach extends beyond cleanup efforts; we are building a framework where residents can advocate for stronger protections, hold polluters accountable, and secure economic opportunities in clean industries. Through workforce development, digital access, and environmental education, we are preparing the next generation to lead this movement and drive meaningful change.

Together, through education, advocacy, and community action, we can create an Oakland—and a world—where environmental protection isn’t just a goal, but a way of life.

How AB 617 Protects Our Air and Our Health

Under AB 617, communities are equipped with tools to reduce pollution and improve air quality through direct participation and collaboration with environmental agencies.

• Community-Led Air Quality Monitoring – Local Air Districts work alongside residents and organizations to track pollution levels from industrial facilities, highways, and freight corridors, identifying sources of harmful emissions.

• Targeting Pollution at the Source – AB 617 enables communities to monitor both stationary sources (factories, refineries) and mobile sources (vehicles, trucks) that contribute to toxic air. By understanding where pollution comes from, we can develop targeted solutions to reduce emissions.

• Health-Focused Action Plans – The law prioritizes reducing dangerous pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which have direct links to asthma, heart disease, and other serious health conditions.

• A Blueprint for Clean Air – AB 617 is more than a regulation—it’s a community-driven approach to environmental protection, giving Oakland residents a say in how pollution is addressed. It ensures that historically neglected neighborhoods have the power to demand cleaner air and a healthier future.