Environmental Justice and Policies.ppt.pdf

Environmental policies are essential components in the framework of governance aimed at safeguarding the planet's ecological health while promoting sustainable development. These policies encompass a wide array of regulations, initiatives, and guidelines that are designed to reduce pollution, conserve resources, promote renewable energy, and protect ecosystems. Governments at various levels—local, national, and international—implement environmental policies to address pressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, and waste management. For instance, the implementation of the Paris Agreement represents a significant global effort to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating the importance of cooperative action across borders.

At the national level, countries develop their own environmental policies that reflect their unique circumstances, resources, and priorities. In the United States, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creates and enforces regulations that address various environmental concerns, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, which set standards to protect air and water quality. Similarly, the European Union has established a comprehensive framework of environmental legislation that includes directives on waste management, air quality, and habitat conservation, aiming to achieve a circular economy and promote sustainability.

Moreover, local governments play a crucial role in implementing policies that address specific environmental issues pertinent to their communities. Urban areas may focus on reducing emissions through smart city planning, promoting public transportation, and enhancing green spaces, while rural regions might tackle land usage and agricultural practices through sustainable farming initiatives. Public engagement is also vital in shaping environmental policies; communities often advocate for stronger regulations and participate in decision-making processes that impact their local environments. This grassroots participation fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, leading to more effective and meaningful policies.

In addition to regulatory frameworks, economic instruments have become increasingly important in environmental policy. These include taxes, subsidies, and cap-and-trade systems, which incentivize individuals and businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices. For example, carbon pricing mechanisms aim to internalize the environmental cost of carbon emissions, encouraging reductions in fossil fuel consumption and fostering investments in cleaner technologies. These market-based approaches, combined with regulatory measures, present a multifaceted strategy for addressing environmental challenges.

Furthermore, the role of international organizations and agreements cannot be overlooked in the discourse on environmental policies. Institutions such as the United Nations play a critical role shapin

1. Environmental Justice:
History, Evolution, & Policy
Dr. Josh Gellers
COJ Special Cmteon Resiliency
December 11, 2020
Illustration: Erin Dunn

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3. Photo: Bettman/Getty Images
1982: Warren County, North Carolina
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4. “Race proved to be the most significant among
variables tested in association with the location
of commercial hazardous waste facilities. This
represented a consistent national pattern” (xiii).
Photo: SalwanGeorges/Detroit Free Press
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5. Principles of Environmental Justice (1991)
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6. Principles of Environmental Justice (1991), cont’d
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7. Environmental
Racism
Environmental
Equity
Environmental
Justice
How EJ Evolved
+ Gender and Social Class + Equality and Equity
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8. Distribution Participation Recognition
Capabilities
Environmental Justice
Social Justice
Climate Justice
Energy Justice
Food Justice
Housing Justice
Transportation
Justice
EJ Today
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9. Monitoring
EJ at Home
Source: EPA EJSCREEN Tool
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10. Monitoring
EJ Abroad
Source: EJ Atlas
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11. General Policy Recommendations
Take a holistic approach to defining and implementing EJ (Adamkiewicz et al. 2011;
Gellers 2016)
Recognize differences in the kinds of environmental injustices experienced across
the community
Mainstream EJ principles into government functions and policies
Adopt a right to environmental information (Gellers and Jeffords 2018) and a right
to contribute to environmental information (Suman 2020; Formosa Plastics case)
Provide multiple avenues for participating in environmental decision-making
(Gellers 2016)
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12. Policy Example I: Distribution
•“…shall not consider complete for review any application for a permit
for a new facility or for the expansion of an existing facility, or any
application for the renewal of an existing facility's major source
permit, if the facility is located, or proposed to be located, in whole or
in part, in an overburdened community.” (New Jersey Senate Bill 232,
Sec. 4)
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13. Policy Example II: Participation
•“…shall guarantee mechanisms for the participation of the public in
decision-making processes, revisions, reexaminations or updates with
respect to projects and activities, and in other processes for granting
environmental permits that have or may have a significant impact on
the environment, including when they may affect health.” (Escazú
Agreement, Art. 7(2))
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14. Policy Example III: Recognition
•“…provide translations of publicly available documents made
available pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act in any
language spoken by more than 5 percent of the population residing
within the environmental justice community.” (U.S. House Resolution
5986, Sec. 14(e)(4))
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15. Additional Resources
•Website
•NRDC: The History of Environmental Justice in Five Minutes (2016)
•Report
•The New School: Local Policies for Environmental Justice: A National Scan
(2019)
•Video
•The IEJ Project: What is Indigenous Environmental Justice? (2019)
•Books
•Bullard: Dumping in Dixie (2000)
•Coolsaet (Ed.): Environmental Justice: Key Issues (2020)
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16. Environmental Justice is the key to an equitable and
resilient future for allof Jacksonville.
Contact:
[email protected]
www.joshgellers.com
@JoshGellers
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