Interim Guidance on Considering Environmental Justice - Assignment Example

Problem Definition Global warming affects us disproportionately. Poor, old, children and the already sick are most vulnerable (Physicians for Social Responsibility 1). Through increased occurrence of droughts, the yield of crop might be significantly reduced in absence of irrigation systems. However, the poor in most cases cannot afford such systems. Price increases resulting from such disasters affect the poor again disproportionately as their budgets are limited. Moreover, an increase in heat exposure increases occurrence of heat strokes, and post traumatic stress related to hurricanes among others (Physicians for Social Responsibility 2). So far, effects of global warming have manifested themselves in 25 million environmental refugees around the world, comparing to 21 million war refugees (Physicians for Social Responsibility 2). Thus, climate change constitutes a major environmental justice issue of our time. Put succinctly, “the disproportionate and discriminatory impacts that climate change will have on vulnerable populations make climate change one of the most significant environmental justice issues of our time” (Physicians for Social Responsibility 1). According to the Environmental Justice Working Group, the two pillars of environmental justice are fair treatment of everyone and public involvement in decision making (v). Environmental justice is the main goal of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA 3). Solutions Solutions must be inclusive. Minorities must be included, since they participated in its creation: “Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King, Jr., were only two of thousands of people of color whose movements for justice set the template for Earth Day” (Gelobter et al. 8). They also formed the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice (Delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit). The diversity of involved groups will help design solutions to problems that are “intangible, global, and future oriented” (Gelobter et al. 11). Gelobter et al. argue that the reason why ten years after Rosa Sparks refused to yield a bus seat to a white passenger, the Civil Rights Act was passed, is because the movement built on “the civil rights activists of the 1930s, 1940s, and early 1950s” (21). Solutions must recognize interconnectedness of global warming and social justice. Activists such as Van Jones argue that climate change and urban poverty can be fought together through green jobs (Kohlbert 4). Similar solutions can be applied to the poor in other areas as well. The Energy Independence and Security Act, signed into law by President Bush in 2007, is a piece of legislation attempting precisely that. The Green Jobs Act is a part of it and it targets low-income trainees by providing funding (Kohlbert 7). Solutions must be creative. Gelobter et al. argue that successful solutions must be innovative: In its details, winning means having ideas that fight the big fights, raise the value of community, and build from small victories to dominant frames. Winning also means new actions, like investing at least 15% in deep change strategies, fostering new leadership that transcends boundaries, and building transformative alliance (Gelobter et al. 27). According to Gelobter et al., efficient solutions must include new alliances across boundaries and creative solutions. Unexpected allies, such as the corporate sector, must also be included to spread the movement. Case Study: Michigan On 21 November 2007, Governor Granholm passed Executive Directive 2007 – 23 (Environmental Justice Working Group 1). This Directive was an outgrowth of years of lawsuits by minorities against the state government, and EPA’s recommendation that Michigan needed to develop an environmental justice plan (Environmental Justice Working Group 3). The Department of Natural Resources and Energy (DNRE) is in charge of the Directive. The directive called for creation and implementation of a state environmental justice plan. According to the Directive, environmental justice is based on fair, all - inclusive involvement of Michigan residents in creation, implementation and enforcement of everything pertaining to environment (Environmental Justice Working Group 1). The Directive attempts to protect the vulnerable groups. Though economic progress and environmentalism are not mutually exclusive, this plan attempts to ensure the latter does not hinder the former. Moreover, the Directive calls for elimination of discriminatory laws by the State of Michigan (Environmental Justice Working Group 7). EPA guidelines for determining disparate factors are used to determine high risk areas in terms of health and welfare of residents. EPA uses Environmental Justice Strategic Enforcement Assessment Tool (Environmental Justice Working Group 7). Once areas are determined and programs developed, programs will only target areas most likely to benefit. Activities will involve formal public participation (Environmental Justice Working Group 9). The Directive also implements USEPA’s Title VI regulations. According to these regulations, no recipient of federal assistance is allowed to discriminate on a basis of race, nation or color (Environmental Justice Working Group 10). Following the regulations, Michigan will identify, address and prevent discriminatory public health and environmental effects of state legislation (Environmental Justice Working Group 11). It will also ensure environmental justice is promoted, while its promotion has no adverse effects on economic, social and environmental state of being (Environmental Justice Working Group 11). Three general activities will be built into the activities. First, capacity will be built: train staff on environmental justice issues and create a position for a coordinator of the program (Environmental Justice Working Group 11). Second, the program needs to be made operational by introducing it to stakeholders and making it easy for them to implement the program. Third, the environmental justice principles must be exercised by the DNRE and its offices (Environmental Justice Working Group 12). Thus, activities promoting these values will be designed, and the values will be incorporated into other activities by DNRE as well (Environmental Justice Working Group 12). Funding will be allocated to projects promoting these values (Environmental Justice Working Group 13). Moreover, the public needs to be involved. As mentioned previously, public involvement is one of the pillars of environmental justice. The program intends to build on the current Air Quality Division’s current activities and engage in the “Life Cycle of Public Participation” (Environmental Justice Working Group 15). The Life Cycle is based on identifying an issue, informing the public and gathering comments, making a decision and informing the public about it (Environmental Justice Working Group 16). Moreover, the outreach should empower the residents, so that they become owners of the policies (Environmental Justice Working Group 17). The interdepartmental working group (IWG) will be established to monitor the implementation. Environmental Justice Working Group believes strong support for the policy on behalf of the executive will make the program successful (Environmental Justice Working Group 22). The group would be in charge of interdepartmental cooperation across the state and act as the Governor’s policy advisor (Environmental Justice Working Group 22). Local governments too will be involved through acting as a liaison between communities and the state, as well as serving as on the ground sources of information (Environmental Justice Working Group 31). Tribal consultation is important. Federal assistance is more important than state in case of tribes (Environmental Justice Working Group 26). Tribes are also adversely affected by economic activities of the state residents since tribes depend on subsistence living (Environmental Justice Working Group 26). Thus, consultation with tribes is very important in coordinating activities. Executive Directive 2004 – 5 authorized this interaction (Environmental Justice Working Group 27). Tribes will be kept informed about IWG and policies pertaining to their members (Environmental Justice Working Group 28). This policy is in line with objectives of tribes across the US (Working Group 3). Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) There are thirteen members, including the CEO Guy Williams working in the leadership positions of this organization. Their programs focus on three main activities: sustainable community development, green jobs training, as well as organizing and education (DWEJ). The latter focuses on environmental justice education. Funding is received from public and private sources. Public are EPA and US Department of Labor: Employment and Training Administration. Green job training focuses on emancipating the undeserving youth. This program gives training to uneducated youth in basic skills such as job readiness, life skills, environmental literacy; HAZWOPER certification, Lead Worker certification, Asbestos Worker certification, OSHA 10 workplace card, Confined Space entry, deconstruction of buildings and testing for contamination (DWEJ). The youth are then employed by businesses in the green sector. The Detroit Regional Workforce Fund and DWEJ invested in green economy sector under the national Pathways Out of Poverty grant awarded to Jobs for the Future. Possible Questions and Problems Though there is a growing interest in green sectors in Detroit, it is not easily seen how communities take ownership of this movement. G.O.Williams and Associates, L.L.C. consult companies on sustainable development. Their clients are also DWEJ. However, both are funded by the government. The movement is not primarily led by the private sector. Moreover, the effects on race are not clear. According to Bullard, race and health are related. Bullard argues that the zip code predicts health (1). Attempts to improve environmental standards are thus related to these communities as they live in areas where environmental standards are low (Environmental Justice Working Group). DWEJ targets certain zip codes, but it is not clear how successful they are in attracting youth from these areas. EPA Guiding questions on implementation of EPA recommendations should always be considered when evaluating any policy on environmental justice, even on behalf of the private sector. These are: 1. How did your public participation process provide transparency and meaningful participation for minority, low-income, and indigenous populations, and tribes? 2. How did you identify and address existing and new disproportionate environmental and public health impacts on minority, low-income, and indigenous populations? 3. How did actions taken under #1 and #2 impact the outcome or final decision (EPA ii)? These questions summarize concerns on the geographical location of youth in Detroit, as well as how private actors have become involved, and up to what degree. Number two is especially important as there might be adverse effects of DWEJ policies on disadvantaged groups and a proper analysis of these effects must be identified. It is also not clear how well they cooperate and learn from DNRE and its associated agencies. Conclusion Environmental justice has been an important part of the struggle against global warming. However, the movement is still in its infancy. The case study on Michigan and Detroit more specifically, indicates that EPA is a strong influence in promotion of environmental justice. Though private actors are becoming involved, the government still leads the movement. Environmental justice supports previous activities. Be it Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act of 2009 or protection of children from pesticides, this movement is consistent with previous activities. Thus, collaboration with actors involved in the movement and further development are highly recommended. Works Cited Bullard, Robert. A 20-Point Plan for Building an Effective Environmental Health and Racial Equity Movement. EJRC, 26 Ap. 2011. Web. 23 Mar 2012. DWEJ. 2012. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. Environmental Justice Working Group. Environmental Justice Plan. 17 Dec. 2010. Web. 22 Mar 2012. EPA. Interim Guidance on Considering Environmental Justice During the Development of an Action. Jul. 2010. Web. 23 Mar 2012. Gelobter, Michael, et al. The Soul of Environmentalism. Oakland: Redefining Progress, 2005. Print. G.O.Williams and Associates, L.L.C. 2012. Web. 23 Mar 2012. Physicians for Social Responsibility. Health Implications of Global Warming: Impacts on Vulnerable Populations. Web. 22 Mar 2012. Delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit. 17 Principles of Environmental Justice. 24 – 27 Oct. 1991, Web. 23 Mar 2012. Kohlbert, Elizabeth. Greening the Ghetto. The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2009. Web. 22 Mar 2012. Working Group. Environmental Justice and the Green Economy. Roxbury: Alternatives for Community & Environment, Inc., 2010. Print. Read More