In both San Diego and Tijuana, many under-served and disenfranchised migrant communities on both sides of the border are having to confront growing environmental justice issues due to the siting of industrial facilities in close proximity to their communities. Barrio Logan in San Diego and Colonia Chilpancingo in Tijuana are two such examples of neighborhoods having been subjected to un-due environmental health risks.

Why Should You Care?

Across the San Diego-Tijuana region there are a number of emerging trans-boundary environmental issues. In Los Laureles Canyon rapid population growth and unregulated squatter settlements have increased the cross-border flow of sewage, refuge and sedimentation to the Tijuana River Estuary located across the border in Imperial Beach. Similar urban growth in Eastern Tijuana is having a negative impact on known wildlife corridors of binational biodiversity importance. Increased homeland security concerns have also recently led to proposed plans to extend a triple border fence which would have irreparable damage to fragile and threatened binational eco-systems in the Otay Mountain/Eastern Tijuana-Tecate region as well as sensitive coastal eco-systems near the coast. Aging infrastructure in urban areas is affecting sewage treatment facilities, resulting in spills throughout the year that cause beach closures and human health threats in both Playas de Tijuana as well as Imperial Beach. Power plants built in Mexico are destined to provide electricity for U.S. consumers but there are potential environmental impacts to coastal communities in Baja California. Water from the Colorado River serves communities in both San Diego and Tijuana.

Without pro-active binational initiatives in the area of environmental education, land conservation and watershed planning, the cross border environmental challenges (water and air pollution, sand mining, solid waste, fisheries) will only increase with adverse consequences to residents on both sides of the border.