Caleb Roberts hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a background in community organizing around issues of transportation, economic development, and affordable housing. Caleb is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with an M.S. in Community and Regional Planning and received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. He previously worked as a Housing Advocate at Texas Housers, and as a Senior Planner for Gap Strategies. Now, Caleb serves as the executive director of Downwinders at Risk, the leading advocate of clean air in North Texas since 1994.

Founded to defeat the burning of hazardous waste in the Midlothian cement plants, they have become a regional force. Since 2017, they’ve been committed to an Environmental Justice agenda that seeks to reduce Particulate Matter pollution in DFW as much as possible. Over the last three decades, Downwinders been responsible for eliminating thousands of tons of air pollution from local cement plants, shuttering an illegal lead smelter in Frisco, passing Dallas’ model gas drilling ordinance, and reducing regional smog. Caleb has been gracious enough to share the vision behind this amazing nonprofit.

Grayson Mask: I’m glad we finally connected. For anyone unfamiliar with Downwinders at Risk, could you explain what the term “downwinders” means?

Caleb Roberts: In terms of air pollution, “downwind” refers to the direction the wind is blowing. So, if the wind is blowing from north to south and you’re south of a polluter, you are downwind of that polluter. This means you have a higher chance of being exposed to pollution. Downwinders at Risk focuses on individuals who are downwind of pollution sources and thus at risk. Our organization, which is 30 years old, focuses on environmental justice issues across the DFW region. We started by addressing lead smelters and concrete batch plants, and over the last five or six years, we’ve shifted to looking at broader land use and how industries are located near Black and Brown communities.

Grayson Mask: When you mentioned the founding of the organization 30 years ago, I noticed a significant focus on education. Can you explain the portable air training you offer?

Caleb Roberts: We have a large air monitoring network called SharedAirDFW, in collaboration with the University of Texas at Dallas. This platform provides air quality data from EPA monitors, PurpleAir monitors, and our own monitors placed in communities. We train people to review air quality and pollution data. Additionally, we offer a portable air monitor program, allowing individuals to collect air quality data on their own and view it online. Cindy Hua, who you contacted on Instagram, often conducts this training.

Grayson Mask: You touched on the educational aspect, but I’m also curious about the College of Constructive Hell-Raising. What role does it play?

Caleb Roberts: The College of Constructive Hell-Raising is our training ground. Our original Executive Director, Jim Schermbeck, wanted a space to tell the story of organizing, particularly around environmental justice issues in Dallas and Texas. The college offers training from long-time organizers, providing historical context and tools for effective organizing. Participants come from academia, the community, professional life, and volunteer backgrounds. It equips them with the skills needed to become effective leaders and advocates.

Grayson Mask: Regarding advocacy, are there any current policies you’re working on or any significant past legislation efforts?

Caleb Roberts: Currently, we’re involved in the Dallas and Fort Worth comprehensive land use plans. We advocate for zoning that separates industries from residential areas to protect neighborhoods from industrial pollution. We’re also working on Senate Bill 929, the Non-Conforming Use Bill, which impacts our ability to address old polluters in neighborhoods. This bill would make it costly for cities to enforce zoning changes by requiring compensation to businesses for relocation. We’re fighting to ensure cities can prioritize residential zoning without exorbitant costs. Additionally, we’re monitoring the non-attainment status of several DFW cities, which have long violated pollution limits. This status could lead to greater scrutiny and penalties for polluters, and we’re closely watching how local governments respond to federal constraints.

Grayson Mask: Have lawmakers or elected officials been receptive to the concerns your organization raises through your advocacy work?

Caleb Roberts: Yes, they are receptive and understand the concerns. However, the issue is that these businesses bring in significant tax revenue for the city. These are multi-billion dollar corporations, and while I don’t know any specific council members or elected officials taking money from these companies, it’s likely that these companies are politically active. This makes it difficult when powerful industries want to stay in business, not move, and maintain their current operations. They often hide behind legalities, claiming they are legally allowed to be there. We try to shift the discussion to what is healthy for the community. When viewed through a health lens, these companies fail in being good neighbors. The history of how these industries ended up near these communities allows them to continue being “legal.”

Grayson Mask: How do you determine when to shift from advocacy to more direct organizing or canvassing?

Caleb Roberts: We need more people and more voices. Organizing helps build community strength because environmental issues are just one of many problems neighborhoods face. We train people on city processes, how to advocate to city council, speak at zoning commission meetings, and other civic activities. Continuous door-knocking and informing residents about what’s happening is crucial. Organizing for longevity means addressing current major problems and preparing for future issues.

Grayson Mask: Can you share some previous successes, whether through legislation, canvassing, or protests, that led to positive outcomes?

Caleb Roberts: One of our first successes was removing a concrete batch plant in Midlothian and influencing new legislation on the matter. We were pivotal in creating the Dallas drilling ordinance, preventing drilling in Dallas. The Shingle Mountain campaign in Flora Farms led to the removal of a massive shingle dump and a neighborhood plan for future growth. We’re close to securing a zoning change to prevent industrial encroachment there. We’ve been influential in shaping the Dallas comprehensive plan to prioritize environmental justice and have mitigated industrial encroachment in Fort Worth’s Echo Heights community. In West Dallas, we’ve negotiated with GAF, a long-term polluter, to relocate by 2029, though we’re pushing for an earlier date. These are just a few examples of our recent and historical wins.

Grayson Mask: Have you recently partnered with any community organizations in areas like West Dallas, Fort Worth, and others?

Caleb Roberts: Yes, we actively work with Justice for Joppa, Singleton United, Echo Heights, Stop Six Environmental Coalition, Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities, and Southern Sector Rising. These organizations have been key partners over the past two to three years. We’re also building relationships with other communities and areas.

Grayson Mask: If someone wants to get involved with your organization, what steps should they take? Are there specific areas where you’re looking for volunteers?

Caleb Roberts: We always need help canvassing. Reaching out via DM, email, or our website are great ways to get involved. We frequently write letters to city council and provide talking points for those willing to send comments or speak at commissions. We encourage advocates to visit the communities to understand firsthand what residents face. It’s important to see the impact of poor air quality on people’s lives to speak with certainty about the issues. Volunteering starts with being active in the community and understanding the real-life implications of these problems. Reach out with your contact information, and we’ll bring you in for some of our canvassing efforts.

Grayson Mask: Touching back on the original founding of the organization, how has it changed over the past 30 years? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of air quality in the DFW area, and why?

Caleb Roberts: Well, currently, I lean towards pessimism. I’m optimistic about our ability to make changes, but the larger forces at play are concerning. We’re still building too many highways, which negatively impact air quality. Highways encourage businesses to move further out, increasing traffic and pollution. This interconnected system of highways and industries places a strain on air quality. While industry is necessary for producing goods and services, the placement of these industries is the issue.

Grayson Mask: For those who may not fully understand the gravity of the situation or don’t live in areas close to industry, what does worsening air quality mean for the average person?

Caleb Roberts: Poor air quality impacts everyone. The entire cities of Dallas and Fort Worth are in non-attainment, meaning they did not meet federal air quality standards. This can lead to increased rates of asthma, COPD, heart disease, and other lung and heart issues. Pollution is pervasive; you breathe it in every second, and there’s no simple solution like filtering water. Even if you take precautions at home, you can’t escape it completely. Air pollution has no barriers, and wind can carry pollutants across different areas. We need to see this as a collective issue, affecting everyone regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.

Grayson Mask: As a final question, are there any future goals you’re excited about for this year and next year? You mentioned some upcoming legislation, but are there other initiatives you’re looking forward to?

Caleb Roberts: I’m excited about making significant strides in raising awareness and understanding of environmental justice. We’re on the verge of ensuring that the region comprehends the importance and implications of environmental justice. We need to act before a major event forces us to confront these issues. Recently, we presented data showing that West Dallas has some of the worst air quality in the US. This isn’t happening in a distant place; it’s right here in Dallas. It should be a wake-up call for our community. We need to ensure that environmental justice becomes a term everyone in the region and statewide understands. We’re close to achieving that, starting with comprehensive plans and ongoing advocacy to build healthy communities.