M3.3 Environmental Justice

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The US EPA (2017) defined environmental justice as:

"...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. EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this Nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”
Environmental justice exemplifies characteristics of Public Health in many aspects. Public Health is protecting and promoting the health of populations in all avenues. In learning about environmental health, there are strategic elements such as: policy development, dissemination, education, training, research, data collection, analysis, utilization, and services that are part of the environmental justice strategy to ensure that communities are protected from environmental and health hazards. I find these areas addressing all levels of community and government, but there lacks the factor of accountability which is critical for environmental justice.

There is inequality when it pertains to environmental justice. It is rather upsetting that environmental racism exists - and the one event that comes to mind is the Flint, Michigan water crisis. This population does not have clean water as of yet and they are not receiving their part of environmental justice. Once again, it goes back to accountability - other than the EPA, our representatives have to take the responsibility and measures to protect and serve the people to ensure fair treatment and meaningful involvement. In addition, as the people who live in a shared environment, we need to take initiative to protect other communities who are more vulnerable than us. Justice should be for everyone, not just the select few.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 14, 2018 at 9:11 PM

    Accountability is crucial when trying to maintain a healthy environment for all. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on this issue, Daisy. I think you bring a great example to the table (i.e., Flint, Michigan) that should be addressed. This group of individuals dont have a basic necessity to live, clean drinking water and it is the government's duty that everyone-regardless of race, color, national origin, or income should have equal access to clean water and a healthy environment. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. Accountability is key, and I think you really brought up a great point with it.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2018 at 8:34 PM

    Hi Daisy,

    Isn't it ironic that although the EPA provides such a profound definition of environmental justice, not all communities in the United States are fairly treated? You're absolutely right --- accountability is crucial if we want to see environmentally just policies. One thing is to talk about environmental justice, and another is to actually act upon it. Great ideas!

    Carmen

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  3. UnknownSeptember 19, 2018 at 10:50 AM

    Hi Daisy,
    Great summary and examples regarding environmental justice and public health, they both aim to protect and prevent harm to protect communities in need. I agree that there is no accountability in terms of the companies and industries that sell products with dangerous chemicals and emit toxic chemicals into the environment. Great example of the Flint, Michigan water crisis, we need to better at protecting all aspects of environmental health especially for vulnerable populations who have historically been overlooked and ignored for far too long.

    ReplyDelete

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