Cross Cultural Issues in Environmental Justice

Web page designed by Mark McLaughlin (Spring 2004)

Link to Course Website

From March 21 to March 25 fourteen students took a non-traditional action research approach to learning about Environmental Justice in Oregon. Through listening, analysis and collaboration with different community stakeholders including: farmers, environmental activists, state legislators, urban planners, economists, health care providers, extension services, urban developers, media reporters, fishing industry representatives, and community residents, course participants developed a better understanding of the complex web of issues that exist in trying to achieve environmental justice in the State of Oregon today. The course embodied a non-traditional approach to learning that blurred the boundaries between teacher/ student/ community/ researchers.

What is Environmental Justice?

The Definition According to the

U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency:

Environmental Justice is 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. Fair treatment means that no group of people, including a racial, ethnic, or a socioeconomic group, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means that: (1) potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will be considered in the decision making process; and (4) the decision makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

In sum, environmental justice is the goal to be achieved for all communities and persons across the Nation. Environmental justice is achieved when everyone, regardless of race, culture, or income, 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.


Themes of Environmental Justice From Listening to the Stakeholders Environmental Justice Equality Finding a Just Solution Equal Distribution of cost Balance between Economics and Natural Resources Rights/Duties Community Participation Is an Issue of Access Decision-Making: Who is making the decisions for whom? Information/Education: Including Face-to-Face Interaction Respect: Ask people what are the issues they face, don't tell them. Partnerships: Involving the community and making sure every voice is heard. Leadership: Necessary resource to achieve community participation and achieve Environmental Justice Regulatory and Economic Factors Handcuffs and Red-Tape Responsibility and Duties Identifying Impacts Economic Incentives/Costs Good Solid Science Legislative Factors Long and Short Term needs must be met Intrinsic and Economic Values are not always consistent But Democracy Can Lead to Environmental Justice Communication is Key ?Access Regulations are Needed The Government as a Solution Surpassing level of requirements of laws Looking toward future changes Provides a model for other stakeholders People will not support regulations if the economy is struggling In the end, economic incentives are provided For being environmentally conscious By following regulations New regulations can create new economic opportunities Democracy leads to environmental justice Government must play a major roll in finding solution to environmental justice issues Steps Individuals Can Take The Rs: Reduce Recycle Reuse Humility Voluntary Action Change Through Action Remember Where You Came From "Environmental justice starts with the heart, then moves to the head, and finally into your hands and feet to go help community."


Having taken this course, I learned a great deal from actually listening to what other people had to say. I think that a lot of the time we go through life just focused on ourselves, and our own trials and tribulations. But if we really stopped to think for a minute, and hear the other side of an issue, or even just hear the issue in the first place, we as a community can participate and work together to solve whatever issue we are facing. Building strong communities and creating resilient partnerships and leaders will ensure that our communities receive the justice they so deserve. And we must do that by educating ourselves, as well as educating others around you, to ensure that such goals are met, and that such issues are addressed. Working together we can help ensure that our communities are free from environmental threats to human health, and safety, and that any injustice is vindicated.


To Find Out More About Environmental Justice Visit The Web Sites Associated With This Page: EJ Related Sites: The Environmental Justice Action Group (EJAG) is dedicated to developing and utilizing community-based leadership in people of color and low-income communities to address the issues of health, safety and environmental justice. The Multnomah County PACE-EH Coalition vision is to create a network of individuals and local organizations who take an active role in setting an environmental health and environmental justice agenda for their communities. The mission of the Community Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ) is to empower low-income people and people of color to fight for and achieve environmental, social and economic justice. The Environmental Justice Foundation trains, equips and supports communities and organisations who are directly affected by environmental abuses. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice's (CHEJ) mission is to empower grassroots community people to organize into collective active, ongoing democratic forces for ensuring that our communities are free from environmental threats to human health; and curtailing the power of polluters. Information on Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism. The Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clarke Atlanta University. The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) serves as a resource center for community groups working on environmental justice issues. The Environmental Justice Database provides bibliographic entries on issues related to environmental justice. EPA Related Sites: The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) is a federal advisory committee that provides independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to the Administrator of EPA on matters related to environmental justice; The federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG) was established by Executive Order 12898 in 1994. The IWG is made up of twelve federal agencies and chaired by EPA, targets coordinated federal initiatives and resources to help environmentally and economically distressed communities; The OEJ grants programs are designed to address environmental justice concerns and issues. In addition to these grant programs, there may be other EPA grants that include environmental justice components; EPA's Office of Environmental Justice sponsors a Community Intern Program through a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Careers Organization (ECO). Other Links Related to Stakeholders: The Center for Environmental Philosophy focuses on Environmental Ethics and Philosophy. Info about the Elakha Alliance and the Otter Restoration Project. Heads Up! is a collaborative project of Oregon Sea Grant and our partners who care about West Coast fisheries and the West Coast fishing community. The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations has been leading the industry in assuring the rights of individual fishermen and fighting for the long-term survival of commercial fishing as a productive livelihood and way of life. The Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition is dedicated to the protection of Oregon's coastal environment. The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development's mission is to support all of their partners in creating and implementing comprehensive plans that reflect and balance the statewide planning goals, the vision of citizens, and the interests of local, state, federal and tribal governments. Salem's Natural Resource Program goal is to develop and implement local programs to protect and enhance Salem's natural resources. Weyerhaeuser forest products. Hewlett-Packard company information. And info about the Corvallis campus. The Oregon Forage Information System. The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges home page. The city of Corvallis home page. The Corvallis Gazette-Times.

Thanks To All Of Our Stakeholders!

Paul Barkley

Lani Roberts

Bob Zybeck

Dave Hatch

Connie Kennedy

Fran Recht

Ron Eber

Kevin O'dell

Charles Bishop

Jeri Sundaval

John Hayward

Carolyn

Helen Berg

Steve Love

Sherry Pleu

Larry Venell

Teresa Hogue

Emery Castle