What was the political and discursive context in which the organization was founded, and how did this context motivate and shape formation of the organization?

In the 1970s, California was experiencing a surge of industrial development and urbanization; building such infrastructure resulted in a significant increase in air and water pollution. Following political protests and victories such as the Civil Rights Movement, Feminist Movements, and other social justice initiatives, the awareness of systemic discrimination and inequality affecting people’s lives became more evident. CBE shaped its political content to reflect the broader conversation on more than conservation or preservation efforts and include more socially-oriented approaches to its campaigns.