MIEH300 Environmental Justice Part 1 Lecture PDF

MIEH300: A Public Health Perspective: Introduction to Environmental Health Module 8: Environmental Justice (part 1) Brienna Anderson-Coughlin, PhD 1  ▪ Key terms ▪ Environmental Justice ▪ Yale Experts Explain EJ O...

MIEH300: A Public Health Perspective: Introduction to Environmental Health Module 8: Environmental Justice (part 1) Brienna Anderson-Coughlin, PhD 1  ▪ Key terms ▪ Environmental Justice ▪ Yale Experts Explain EJ Outline ▪ EJ History ▪ NRDC – The EJ Movement ▪ Up Next 2 What is Environmental Justice? EPA Definition of Environmental Justice (EJ): “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” ▪ The goal of EJ is that everyone has the same degree of environmental protection and equal access to the decision-making process that shapes the environment in which they live Why is this definition not universally representative? ▪ Misses the nuances between equality and equity ▪ Erases the identities and devalues the experiences of those facing EJ concerns 3 What is Environmental Justice? “Environmental justice (EJ) refers to those cultural norms and values, rules, regulations, behaviors, policies, and decisions that support sustainable development, so that people can interact with confidence that their environment is safe, nurturing and productive. EJ is served when people can realize their highest potential, without experiencing “isms.” EJ is supported by decent paying and safe jobs; quality schools and recreation; decent housing and adequate health-care; democratic decision-making and personal empowerment; and communities free of violence, drugs, and poverty. EJ communities are where both cultural and biological diversity are respected and highly revered distributive justice prevails.” - Dr. Bunyan Bryant, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan 4 Environmental Injustice Environmental Injustice: The problem that some groups or societies suffer more harms and shoulders greater risks. ▪ What really makes a particular situation an injustice is when the prevalence of harm or risk is a product of another group or society seeking their own benefits by taking advantage of others. 5 Yale Sustainability – Yale Experts Explain Environmental Justice Reading: https://sustainability.yale.edu/explainers/yale-experts-explain- environmental-justice Drs. Dorceta Taylor and Gerald Torres ▪ “In the United States and around the world, low-income, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian people tend to be living in spaces where environmental hazards, extreme natural and human-made disasters, and environmental degradation occur more rampantly.” – Dr. Taylor ▪ In addition to the presence of hazardous sites, Torres identifies the inequities in the maintenance of public infrastructure and the “systematic underenforcement of environmental rules” such as the Safe Drinking Water Act in low-income communities and communities of color. This often keeps these residents from having access to clean, drinkable water. 6 Office of Legacy Management - Environmental Justice History Reading: https://www.energy.gov/lm/environmental-justice-history The Office of Legacy Management (LM): “LM has been charged with the responsibility for long-term surveillance and maintenance, workforce restructuring and benefits, property management, land use planning, and community assistance for 102 sites in the United States and the territory of Puerto Rico.” ▪ History of EJ ▪ 1982 – Warren County, North Carolina ▪ 1987 – United Church of Christ study ▪ 1992 – Federal Government response ▪ 1994 – Executive Order 12898 7 NRDC – The Environmental Justice Movement Reading: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/environmental-justice-movement National Resources Defense Council (NRDC): a non-profit organization based in the U.S. ▪ Mission: safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends ▪ “For more than half a century, NRDC’s team of lawyers, scientists, and policy advocates have been on the frontlines waging fierce courtroom battles and hard- hitting campaigns to protect our climate, wildlife, lands, and most vulnerable communities.” ▪ “Environmental justice is an important part of the struggle to improve and maintain a clean and healthful environment, especially for communities of color who have been forced to live, work, and play closest to sources of pollution.” 8 Up Next Wednesday Lecture: ▪ Environmental Justice Part 2 Lecture Assignments: ▪ No Quiz or Assignment this week Labs continue this Wednesday and Friday: ▪ Air Lab #8 – should work on this in your section ▪ Lab assignment #7 are due: ▪ Wednesday by 11:59pm (Wednesday sections) ▪ Friday by 11:59pm (Friday sections) 9