ENVIRONMENTALRACISMPrerequisite:CompletionofGEbasicsubjects(BlockA)andOneG.E.BlockB1course.Useofepidemiologyinenvironmentalhealth.Morbidityandmortalityincommunitiesofcolorandlower economicstatusduetodisproportionatedistributionofenvironmentalcontaminants.CHS370/HS 370EnvironmentalRacism? Spring2013? Roberto Flores Ph.D? AdjunctAssistantProfessor? Dept.ofChicanoStudies? Robertof2@socal.rr.comRemember:Thissectionofthecourseistaughtfullyonline.!Environmental Racism?Definition:Epidemiology Examinationofthelinkbetweenhuman exposure and health outcomesHumanExposureInformationRiskassessmentEstimation ofthelikelihood, magnitude anduncertainty ofhealth risksassociatedwith environmentalexposures?Theintentionalsitingofhazardouswastesites,landfills,incineratorsandpollutingindustriesincommunities inhabitedmainlybyAfricanAmericans,Hispanics,NativeAmericans,Asians,migrantworkers andtheworkingpoor.StatusandtrendsEvaluation of historicalpatterns Current statusand possibleFuturechangeinhumanexposuresand/orhealth outcomes??Route??Magnitude??Duration??Frequency??distribution??Mostexposed??Temporalaspects??Geographic aspects??Demographic aspectsRiskmanagement Determinationofwhich,healthrisksareunacceptableand whattodoaboutthem?Thesefacilitiesmaybetiedtoacommunityíseconomicsurvivaltherebycompromisingresidentsíabilitytoopposeìlocallyundesirablelanduses.îImportantusesof humanexposureinformation intheassessment andmanagement ofenvironmentalhealth risks (Sextonetal.)http://www.ehponline.org/members/1995/Suppl-3/sex ton-full.htmlMeasuringEnvironmentalRacism EnvironmentalRacism:Whydoesit occur?How doesonegoabout determiningenvironmentalracismexists?I. Whatvariablesmatter?Independent??Relationshipbetweensocialmovements,industry,laborandtechnologyvariablesDependent variablesEpidemiologyONLINERaceand class(income,education, occupation) arecriticalvariables toexamine.II. ObserveEffectsA. Wherearepolluting facilitieslocated?Wherearepesticides ortoxinsdisposed of? Inotherwords,whatpatternscanbeobservedintermsofìsitingîoffacilities, dumping oftoxins,clustering, etc.(riskfactors,exposure)B. Whateffectsdoesìsitingîoftoxicwastehaveoncommunities ofcolorintermsofqualityoflifeandoccurrenceofadversehealtheffects:morbidityrate&mortalityrate=epidemiological profile ofcommunitiesexposedtowaste,toxins etc.III. Epidemiology examinesrisk,morbidity,mortalityIntheLosAngelesbasin,exposuretopollution fromcaremissionsiscorrelatedwithmorecasesofasthmain children.IV. Assessments/ActivitiesClickto seeCancerinLABasinHowdoesenvironmentalpollution affectthecancerratesthroughout theLABasin???TheEnvironmentalMovementandEnvironmentalJusticeMovementsprovidedifferent assessmentsandsolutionsforcommunities toaddressEnvironmentalRacism??Science,research&technologycentraltodebatesandsolutions?Health&theenvironment??epidemiologyEnvironmentalismandPolicyPreservation??Environmentalpolicyisrootedintwocompetingperspectivesabouttheenvironment:preservationandconservation??TwoleadingfiguresinfluencingearlyU.S.governmentenvironmentalpolicyinclude?Sierra Clubfounder JohnMuir(1838-1914).Activist.proposedwildlifepreservationandadvocatedfornationalparks?GiffordPinchot(1865-1946.Policy.HeadofU.S.ForestryService(1905-1910);hebelievedinJohnMuir,totherightofpresidentTheodoreRoosevelt,convincedhimtoprotect wildernessland.“Ifyouthinkaboutallthegainsoursocietyhasmade,fromindependencetonow,itwasn’tgovernment.Itwas activism.Peoplethink,’Oh,TeddyRooseveltestablishedYosemiteNationalPark,whatagreatpresident.’BS.ItwasJohnMuirwhoinvitedRooseveltoutandthenconvincedhimtoditchhissecurity andgocamping.ItwasMuir,anactivist,asingleperson.”–PatagoniafounderandoutdoorenthusiastYvonChouinardinarecentSierraMagazineinterviewhttp://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/Quarter coin2005conservationandscientificmanagementofresourcesforhumanuseorprofithttp://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/graphics/roosvelt_muir_front.jpgGovernmentAgencies&ScientificManagement?U.S.ForestryService?GiffordPinchotbelievedthatscientificknowledgeneededtobeappliedtomanagementofnaturalresources.Efficiencywasthe goal.?Inhisview,sciencecouldprovideanindependentvoicecapableofmoderatingbetweenprofitmotivesofindustryandtoomuchgovernmentcontrol.ControlofNature: Science &Progress?Trustintechnologytoadvanceeconomicgrowth?Burgeoningindustriesrequirelotsofnaturalresources?Growingpopulationandurbanizationrequirehighervolumeoffoodproduction?Pesticideskeytoìcontrolofnatureîandnationalprogress?DDTchemicalwidely usedtocontrolinsects;higheragriculturaloutputSilentSpring:PesticidesandHealth??PublicationofRachelCarsonísbookìSilentSpringîin1962brings ecologicalawarenesstonationalpublic attention.??CarsoncritiquesuseofDDTandenumeratesvariousharmfuleffectson floraandfauna andthelastingimpactonsoil, waterandairquality–morecritically ontheviability andvitality ofourfoodchain.??Sheconnectsdiseaseinthenaturalenvironmenttotheprevalenceofillnessesin humans??Callsforlessaggressivepestcontrolmethodstopreventthedegradationoftheenvironment??DDTwasbannedintheU.S.in1972GovernmentGovernment Oversight??EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyestablishedin1970??Citizen inputwasveryimportanttothisnewregulatoryagency??Stillmuchoftheregulationsfavorbureaucraticexpertknowledgesystemswhichdonítalwaysprotectresidents affectedbyharmfulfacilitiesortoxicsubstances??Poorerandlesseducatedgroupsaremostlyexcludedfromìmeaningfulparticipationî??SeeWhyEPAwas established?Environmental Justice Movements??ConsolidationofanetworkofAfricanAmericanenvironmentalactivistsandorganizationssince1982thrutheUnitedChurchofChrist.??MinorityEnvironmentalstruggleshavealonghistory.??NativeAmericancommunitiespointoutthattheyhavebeenengagedinenvironmentalstruggles sincetheirlandswereinvadedbyEuropeans.??MajorenvironmentalprotectionorganizationshavebeenestablishedliketheSierraClub(1898);buttheyhavebeentypicallyfocusedonconservation/preservationissuesandhaveoftenstayedawayfromthestrugglesofpoor communities.http://www.macalester.edu/americanstudies/afamconf7.html RicardoLevinsMorales,NorthlandPosterCollectiveNativeAmericansandEnvironmentalRacism??WinonaLaDuke,anativeAmericanscholar,describes thesituationinthesecommunitiesintermsofresourceextraction,dumpingofnuclearwasteandothersubstances,clearcutting(deforesting).??Industrialdevelopmentinitiativeshaveìdevouredîlands, rivers,speciesand entireculturesintheirpath.??Theseìinvasiveindustrialinterventionsî(Laduke1999)threaten notonlythosecommunitiesbutalsobiodiversity.Native AmericansandEnvironmentalRacism??ThelossofbiodiversitythreatenstheexistenceofNativeAmericans.??Attentionto thelossofbiodiversityinthiscommunityraisesissues ofpreservationofculturaldiversityandfuturegenerationsofnativesandnon-natives??ClickNavajohttp://www.latimes.com/extras/navajo/Day1/UrbanCommunitiesOrganizedAgainstDumping??MotherísofEastLosAngeles,Santa Isabel?MELASiorìLasMELASî??Opposedincinerators, pipelineandprisonproposals forEastLosAngeles??AuroraCastillo,a MELASactivistputitsuccintly:UrbanCommunitiesOrganizedAgainstDumpingGoldmanEnvironmental Prize1995??ìWeneedconstructivejobs–nurses,doctors,computerspecialists,skilledworkers…Thestatewantstoplaceallofsocietyísproblemsinourcommunity–aprison,a pipeline andanincinerator.Theywillhavetosolvethoseproblems, notjustdumpthemfromoneplacetoanother.î(AuroraCastilloinDevon Pena,TierraYVida:MexicanAmericansandtheEnvironment2005:xxiv)AuroraCastillo,residentofEastLos AngelesandfoundingMemberofMELAS(MotherísofEastLosAngeles)receivedtheGoldmanEnvironmentalPrizein1995.MELASìisrecognizedasapoliticalforceinthe regionthathashelpedtosetimportant legalprecedentsforothergrassroots environmentaljusticegroups.îhttp://www.goldmanprize.org/node/89GoldmanEnvironmental Prize2004 AncestralLands:WaterRights??LandandCulturevs.CommoditiesPetrochemicalsandhealthìGrowing UpinCancerAlleyMargie Richard grewup in the historicallyAfrican-American neighborhood ofOldDiamondinNorco, Louisiana,ina housejust 25feet awayfromShellChemicalsplant’sfenceline. Yearslater,she wouldleadthe front line of a long, hard-won battle to holdShellaccountableforthe devastatinghealth problems in hercommunity.Richard, 62,whosecampaignhasbeen hailedasalandmarkenvironmental justicevictory, holdsthe distinctionas thefirst African-American to winthe GoldmanEnvironmentalPrize.î2004http://www.goldmanprize.org/node/100??Acequias,centuriesoldwaterirrigationditches, usedin landgrantsinNewMexico&Colorado??GenerationsofacequiafarmersintheSouthwesthavecleanedupthisvitalresourcesincethe17thcentury??Communitiesareconcernedwithpollutionandthedeforesting/cuttingoftrees??HispanofarmershavenotonlybeenfightingfortheirlandbutalsowaterrightsFarmworkers,Agro-industriesandPesticides??Activistslinkedpesticideusetoenvironmentaldamageandunknowneffectstoconsumer.??Theyemphasizedworkplacesafety,qualityoflifeofentirecommunitiesandpesticiderelatedillnesses,birthdefectsanddeaths.??CesarChaveznotedthatchemicalcompaniesandgrowersconvincedpoliticianandgovernmentregulatorsthatpesticideusewasnecessaryfortheabundanceoffood.??Hequestionedthecost tofarmworkersandtotheenvironment.Ecology andKnowledge: LandandCulture??Asyoucanseetheactionsofdevelopersandenvironmentalpollutershavegeneratedresistance.??Land-basedandlaborstrugglesinruralareaslinktheissuestoecologicalimpactsandthelossofbiodiversity.??Inurbanareas,wewillexamineeffortstoestablishcommunitygardenstoaddressìfood securityîbutalsotheretentionandrestorationofecologicalknowledge.??Urbancommunity gardenshighlighttheimportanceoflandinthe foodchainandtheproductchain.??Fundamentally,thesearestrugglesfordefinitionofvalue;thepreservationofindigenous knowledgeandlivelihood;communityhealth.EnvironmentalRacism&Justice Struggles Power&DecisionMaking:EnvironmentalRacismPower&Decision Makin g: ìFromtheGroundUp î??Cole&Fosterprofileanimportantexampleofpoweranddecisionmaking??IntheKettlemancase,thecommunitywasshutoutfromvoicingtheiropinions,concernsandobjectionstoanincinerator proposal.??Economicbenefits fromrevenueproducedbythissite wenttocommunitiesnotdirectlyaffectedbytheeverydayoperationofthesite.??TheCountyBoardofSupervisors votedfortheincinerator3-1.DumpingToxicWaste:StateEnvironmentalLaws??Publicnoticerequirements under environmentallawsleftthecommunityofKettlemanCityintheSanJoaquinValleyatadisadvantage.??Therefore,residentsofthiscommunity didnotfindoutaboutatoxicwastefacility untilthe1980s.??ChemWaste,Incwasproposinganincineratorexpansionthatwouldburnupto108,000tonsof(216millionlbs)toxicwasteeachyear.Thisbasicallywouldbeinadditiontothehundredsofdailytruckloadsprocessedatthissite.??ChemWasteownsthelargestwastedumpinEmelle,AlabamaandtwootherlargefacilitiesinCalifornia.CerrellReportDangerous Patterns??Inlookingatthedistributionofthesefacilities,activistsfoundthatmostofthetoxicwastedumpswerelocatedinpoorminoritycommunities.??TheCerrellReportprovidedcluesaboutthesitingprocess.??CommissionedbytheCaliforniaWasteManagementBoardandpaidforbytaxpayerdollars:??TheCerrellreportsuggestedthatthecommunitiesthatwouldbeleastresistanttoincineratorswere:??ruralcommunities,poorcommunities,communitieswhoseresidents hadloweducationallevels,…highlycatholic,fewerthan25,000 residents…employedinresourceextractivejobssuchasmining, timberandagriculture.(Cole&Fosterp3)??ChemWastewasfinednumeroustimes forunsafehandlingofwaste??Eventhoughfineswereprettyhigh,theirbehaviorcontinued??Superfundcleanupviolations?ìsamplepackingîjustcheckingthefirst10trucksinsteadofensuringthatincompatiblewasteswerenotthrowntogether?ìResidentísfiguredthatifthecompanycanítrunaholeintheground correctly,itshouldnít begiventheabilitytodosomethingworse.î??TheincineratorinKettlemanCitywouldbedangerousaccordingtoresidents!(Cole&Fosterp5)ApprovalProcess:KettlemanIncinerator??KettlemanCityresidentswereexcludedfromìmeaningfulparticipationîinvariousways.??LackoftranslationofEnvironmentalImpactreport??Only5 ofthe1000pagesofthedocumenttranslatedintoSpanish.??Community dissentwasnottakenintoaccount intheplanningcommissionísdecisiontoapprovetheincinerator.??TheCerrellreportwas accurateinthatinstitutionalbarrierspreventedtheKettlemanCitycommunityfrom beingheard,recording theiroppositionandparticipatinginthedecision-making.Racism:EffectonCitizenParticipation,DemocraticvsTechnocraticKnowledge??Citizeninputlimitedbyclass,languageandtechnicaldifferences??Raceasignificantfactor??Communitieshavetodocumenttheeffectsofexposureandconfrontnotonly pollutersbutalsovariousinstitutionsthatblocktheiraccess??WhereelseinChapters1&2doyousee evidenceofbarrierstocitizenparticipation?GrassrootsOrganizingandCitizenLawsuits??ResidentsofKettlemanCitysuedandthecourtruledthatlackof participationinthereview processmandatedbytheCalifornia EnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA)wasaviolation.??TheresidentshaddemandedreviewoftheEnvironmentalImpactReport (EIR).??GreenpeaceandElPuebloorganizedtosend5,000postcardstothe BoardandtheFarmBureau.??Theyalsocollected17,000signaturesinoppositiontotheincinerator.??ChemWasteappealedthejudgment.??Thiscasereflectedthe successofgrassrootsresistance.??ChemWastewithdrewitsapplicationin1993citingdeclineinuseof incineratortechnology.Terminology??Environmentalracismandenvironmentalinjustice willbeusedinterchangeablyinallthreetextsandinthecourse.??Theterminjusticebestcapturesthattoxicassaults moreseverely/directly affectthoselowerwithina hierarchyofclassandraciallocations.??Environmentalinjusticeacknowledgesinequityasa problemforeveryone.(Cole&Fosterp15)WhereShouldWasteFacilitiesbeSited???WastefacilitiesareLULUS(locallyundesirablelanduses)??Shouldwejust stopcreatingwaste?Howdowe dothat???Whatarethegoalsoftheenvironmentalmovement?Thedistributionofcommercial,hazardousorpotentiallyhazardousfacilitiesaswellasthecleanupof ìsuperfund sitesî concernsoccupationalenvironmental health.Whatyou shouldlearn fromthispresentation??Thisconcludestheintroductiontothecourseandthedifferent sourcesofinformationIwillbeusing.??Youshouldreadpage1-53ofCole&FosterFromtheGroundUp: EnvironmentalRacismandtheRiseof theEnvironmentalJusticeMovementthisweek.??Pleaseposttothediscussionboard,introduceyourselfwithname, majorandabriefbiography.??Haveyoutakenanonlinecoursebefore?Haveyoutakenotherdistancelearningcoursesbefore???Iwillpostquestionsfordiscussionfocusedontheoverviewand pp1-53onFriday8a.m.andyouwillhaveuntil8p.m.Mondayto postaresponse.??MakesurethatyoulogintoWebCtthisweekagainforadditional postingsandannouncements!Prerequisite:CompletionofGEbasicsubjects(BlockA)andOneG.E.BlockB1course.Useofepidemiologyinenvironmentalhealth.Morbidityandmortalityincommunitiesofcolorandlower economicstatusduetodisproportionatedistributionofenvironmentalcontaminants.CHS370/HS 370EnvironmentalRacism? Spring2013? Roberto Flores Ph.D? AdjunctAssistantProfessor? Dept.ofChicanoStudies? Robertof2@socal.rr.comRemember:Thissectionofthecourseistaughtfullyonline.!Environmental Racism?Definition:Epidemiology Examinationofthelinkbetweenhuman exposure and health outcomesHumanExposureInformationRiskassessmentEstimation ofthelikelihood, magnitude anduncertainty ofhealth risksassociatedwith environmentalexposures?Theintentionalsitingofhazardouswastesites,landfills,incineratorsandpollutingindustriesincommunities inhabitedmainlybyAfricanAmericans,Hispanics,NativeAmericans,Asians,migrantworkers andtheworkingpoor.StatusandtrendsEvaluation of historicalpatterns Current statusand possibleFuturechangeinhumanexposuresand/orhealth outcomes??Route??Magnitude??Duration??Frequency??distribution??Mostexposed??Temporalaspects??Geographic aspects??Demographic aspectsRiskmanagement Determinationofwhich,healthrisksareunacceptableand whattodoaboutthem?Thesefacilitiesmaybetiedtoacommunityíseconomicsurvivaltherebycompromisingresidentsíabilitytoopposeìlocallyundesirablelanduses.îImportantusesof humanexposureinformation intheassessment andmanagement ofenvironmentalhealth risks (Sextonetal.)http://www.ehponline.org/members/1995/Suppl-3/sex ton-full.htmlMeasuringEnvironmentalRacism EnvironmentalRacism:Whydoesit occur?How doesonegoabout determiningenvironmentalracismexists?I. Whatvariablesmatter?Independent??Relationshipbetweensocialmovements,industry,laborandtechnologyvariablesDependent variablesEpidemiologyONLINERaceand class(income,education, occupation) arecriticalvariables toexamine.II. ObserveEffectsA. Wherearepolluting facilitieslocated?Wherearepesticides ortoxinsdisposed of? Inotherwords,whatpatternscanbeobservedintermsofìsitingîoffacilities, dumping oftoxins,clustering, etc.(riskfactors,exposure)B. Whateffectsdoesìsitingîoftoxicwastehaveoncommunities ofcolorintermsofqualityoflifeandoccurrenceofadversehealtheffects:morbidityrate&mortalityrate=epidemiological profile ofcommunitiesexposedtowaste,toxins etc.III. Epidemiology examinesrisk,morbidity,mortalityIntheLosAngelesbasin,exposuretopollution fromcaremissionsiscorrelatedwithmorecasesofasthmain children.IV. Assessments/ActivitiesClickto seeCancerinLABasinHowdoesenvironmentalpollution affectthecancerratesthroughout theLABasin???TheEnvironmentalMovementandEnvironmentalJusticeMovementsprovidedifferent assessmentsandsolutionsforcommunities toaddressEnvironmentalRacism??Science,research&technologycentraltodebatesandsolutions?Health&theenvironment??epidemiologyEnvironmentalismandPolicyPreservation??Environmentalpolicyisrootedintwocompetingperspectivesabouttheenvironment:preservationandconservation??TwoleadingfiguresinfluencingearlyU.S.governmentenvironmentalpolicyinclude?Sierra Clubfounder JohnMuir(1838-1914).Activist.proposedwildlifepreservationandadvocatedfornationalparks?GiffordPinchot(1865-1946.Policy.HeadofU.S.ForestryService(1905-1910);hebelievedinJohnMuir,totherightofpresidentTheodoreRoosevelt,convincedhimtoprotect wildernessland.“Ifyouthinkaboutallthegainsoursocietyhasmade,fromindependencetonow,itwasn’tgovernment.Itwas activism.Peoplethink,’Oh,TeddyRooseveltestablishedYosemiteNationalPark,whatagreatpresident.’BS.ItwasJohnMuirwhoinvitedRooseveltoutandthenconvincedhimtoditchhissecurity andgocamping.ItwasMuir,anactivist,asingleperson.”–PatagoniafounderandoutdoorenthusiastYvonChouinardinarecentSierraMagazineinterviewhttp://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/Quarter coin2005conservationandscientificmanagementofresourcesforhumanuseorprofithttp://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/graphics/roosvelt_muir_front.jpgGovernmentAgencies&ScientificManagement?U.S.ForestryService?GiffordPinchotbelievedthatscientificknowledgeneededtobeappliedtomanagementofnaturalresources.Efficiencywasthe goal.?Inhisview,sciencecouldprovideanindependentvoicecapableofmoderatingbetweenprofitmotivesofindustryandtoomuchgovernmentcontrol.ControlofNature: Science &Progress?Trustintechnologytoadvanceeconomicgrowth?Burgeoningindustriesrequirelotsofnaturalresources?Growingpopulationandurbanizationrequirehighervolumeoffoodproduction?Pesticideskeytoìcontrolofnatureîandnationalprogress?DDTchemicalwidely usedtocontrolinsects;higheragriculturaloutputSilentSpring:PesticidesandHealth??PublicationofRachelCarsonísbookìSilentSpringîin1962brings ecologicalawarenesstonationalpublic attention.??CarsoncritiquesuseofDDTandenumeratesvariousharmfuleffectson floraandfauna andthelastingimpactonsoil, waterandairquality–morecritically ontheviability andvitality ofourfoodchain.??Sheconnectsdiseaseinthenaturalenvironmenttotheprevalenceofillnessesin humans??Callsforlessaggressivepestcontrolmethodstopreventthedegradationoftheenvironment??DDTwasbannedintheU.S.in1972GovernmentGovernment Oversight??EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyestablishedin1970??Citizen inputwasveryimportanttothisnewregulatoryagency??Stillmuchoftheregulationsfavorbureaucraticexpertknowledgesystemswhichdonítalwaysprotectresidents affectedbyharmfulfacilitiesortoxicsubstances??Poorerandlesseducatedgroupsaremostlyexcludedfromìmeaningfulparticipationî??SeeWhyEPAwas established?Environmental Justice Movements??ConsolidationofanetworkofAfricanAmericanenvironmentalactivistsandorganizationssince1982thrutheUnitedChurchofChrist.??MinorityEnvironmentalstruggleshavealonghistory.??NativeAmericancommunitiespointoutthattheyhavebeenengagedinenvironmentalstruggles sincetheirlandswereinvadedbyEuropeans.??MajorenvironmentalprotectionorganizationshavebeenestablishedliketheSierraClub(1898);buttheyhavebeentypicallyfocusedonconservation/preservationissuesandhaveoftenstayedawayfromthestrugglesofpoor communities.http://www.macalester.edu/americanstudies/afamconf7.html RicardoLevinsMorales,NorthlandPosterCollectiveNativeAmericansandEnvironmentalRacism??WinonaLaDuke,anativeAmericanscholar,describes thesituationinthesecommunitiesintermsofresourceextraction,dumpingofnuclearwasteandothersubstances,clearcutting(deforesting).??Industrialdevelopmentinitiativeshaveìdevouredîlands, rivers,speciesand entireculturesintheirpath.??Theseìinvasiveindustrialinterventionsî(Laduke1999)threaten notonlythosecommunitiesbutalsobiodiversity.Native AmericansandEnvironmentalRacism??ThelossofbiodiversitythreatenstheexistenceofNativeAmericans.??Attentionto thelossofbiodiversityinthiscommunityraisesissues ofpreservationofculturaldiversityandfuturegenerationsofnativesandnon-natives??ClickNavajohttp://www.latimes.com/extras/navajo/Day1/UrbanCommunitiesOrganizedAgainstDumping??MotherísofEastLosAngeles,Santa Isabel?MELASiorìLasMELASî??Opposedincinerators, pipelineandprisonproposals forEastLosAngeles??AuroraCastillo,a MELASactivistputitsuccintly:UrbanCommunitiesOrganizedAgainstDumpingGoldmanEnvironmental Prize1995??ìWeneedconstructivejobs–nurses,doctors,computerspecialists,skilledworkers…Thestatewantstoplaceallofsocietyísproblemsinourcommunity–aprison,a pipeline andanincinerator.Theywillhavetosolvethoseproblems, notjustdumpthemfromoneplacetoanother.î(AuroraCastilloinDevon Pena,TierraYVida:MexicanAmericansandtheEnvironment2005:xxiv)AuroraCastillo,residentofEastLos AngelesandfoundingMemberofMELAS(MotherísofEastLosAngeles)receivedtheGoldmanEnvironmentalPrizein1995.MELASìisrecognizedasapoliticalforceinthe regionthathashelpedtosetimportant legalprecedentsforothergrassroots environmentaljusticegroups.îhttp://www.goldmanprize.org/node/89GoldmanEnvironmental Prize2004 AncestralLands:WaterRights??LandandCulturevs.CommoditiesPetrochemicalsandhealthìGrowing UpinCancerAlleyMargie Richard grewup in the historicallyAfrican-American neighborhood ofOldDiamondinNorco, Louisiana,ina housejust 25feet awayfromShellChemicalsplant’sfenceline. Yearslater,she wouldleadthe front line of a long, hard-won battle to holdShellaccountableforthe devastatinghealth problems in hercommunity.Richard, 62,whosecampaignhasbeen hailedasalandmarkenvironmental justicevictory, holdsthe distinctionas thefirst African-American to winthe GoldmanEnvironmentalPrize.î2004http://www.goldmanprize.org/node/100??Acequias,centuriesoldwaterirrigationditches, usedin landgrantsinNewMexico&Colorado??GenerationsofacequiafarmersintheSouthwesthavecleanedupthisvitalresourcesincethe17thcentury??Communitiesareconcernedwithpollutionandthedeforesting/cuttingoftrees??HispanofarmershavenotonlybeenfightingfortheirlandbutalsowaterrightsFarmworkers,Agro-industriesandPesticides??Activistslinkedpesticideusetoenvironmentaldamageandunknowneffectstoconsumer.??Theyemphasizedworkplacesafety,qualityoflifeofentirecommunitiesandpesticiderelatedillnesses,birthdefectsanddeaths.??CesarChaveznotedthatchemicalcompaniesandgrowersconvincedpoliticianandgovernmentregulatorsthatpesticideusewasnecessaryfortheabundanceoffood.??Hequestionedthecost tofarmworkersandtotheenvironment.Ecology andKnowledge: LandandCulture??Asyoucanseetheactionsofdevelopersandenvironmentalpollutershavegeneratedresistance.??Land-basedandlaborstrugglesinruralareaslinktheissuestoecologicalimpactsandthelossofbiodiversity.??Inurbanareas,wewillexamineeffortstoestablishcommunitygardenstoaddressìfood securityîbutalsotheretentionandrestorationofecologicalknowledge.??Urbancommunity gardenshighlighttheimportanceoflandinthe foodchainandtheproductchain.??Fundamentally,thesearestrugglesfordefinitionofvalue;thepreservationofindigenous knowledgeandlivelihood;communityhealth.EnvironmentalRacism&Justice Struggles Power&DecisionMaking:EnvironmentalRacismPower&Decision Makin g: ìFromtheGroundUp î??Cole&Fosterprofileanimportantexampleofpoweranddecisionmaking??IntheKettlemancase,thecommunitywasshutoutfromvoicingtheiropinions,concernsandobjectionstoanincinerator proposal.??Economicbenefits fromrevenueproducedbythissite wenttocommunitiesnotdirectlyaffectedbytheeverydayoperationofthesite.??TheCountyBoardofSupervisors votedfortheincinerator3-1.DumpingToxicWaste:StateEnvironmentalLaws??Publicnoticerequirements under environmentallawsleftthecommunityofKettlemanCityintheSanJoaquinValleyatadisadvantage.??Therefore,residentsofthiscommunity didnotfindoutaboutatoxicwastefacility untilthe1980s.??ChemWaste,Incwasproposinganincineratorexpansionthatwouldburnupto108,000tonsof(216millionlbs)toxicwasteeachyear.Thisbasicallywouldbeinadditiontothehundredsofdailytruckloadsprocessedatthissite.??ChemWasteownsthelargestwastedumpinEmelle,AlabamaandtwootherlargefacilitiesinCalifornia.CerrellReportDangerous Patterns??Inlookingatthedistributionofthesefacilities,activistsfoundthatmostofthetoxicwastedumpswerelocatedinpoorminoritycommunities.??TheCerrellReportprovidedcluesaboutthesitingprocess.??CommissionedbytheCaliforniaWasteManagementBoardandpaidforbytaxpayerdollars:??TheCerrellreportsuggestedthatthecommunitiesthatwouldbeleastresistanttoincineratorswere:??ruralcommunities,poorcommunities,communitieswhoseresidents hadloweducationallevels,…highlycatholic,fewerthan25,000 residents…employedinresourceextractivejobssuchasmining, timberandagriculture.(Cole&Fosterp3)??ChemWastewasfinednumeroustimes forunsafehandlingofwaste??Eventhoughfineswereprettyhigh,theirbehaviorcontinued??Superfundcleanupviolations?ìsamplepackingîjustcheckingthefirst10trucksinsteadofensuringthatincompatiblewasteswerenotthrowntogether?ìResidentísfiguredthatifthecompanycanítrunaholeintheground correctly,itshouldnít begiventheabilitytodosomethingworse.î??TheincineratorinKettlemanCitywouldbedangerousaccordingtoresidents!(Cole&Fosterp5)ApprovalProcess:KettlemanIncinerator??KettlemanCityresidentswereexcludedfromìmeaningfulparticipationîinvariousways.??LackoftranslationofEnvironmentalImpactreport??Only5 ofthe1000pagesofthedocumenttranslatedintoSpanish.??Community dissentwasnottakenintoaccount intheplanningcommissionísdecisiontoapprovetheincinerator.??TheCerrellreportwas accurateinthatinstitutionalbarrierspreventedtheKettlemanCitycommunityfrom beingheard,recording theiroppositionandparticipatinginthedecision-making.Racism:EffectonCitizenParticipation,DemocraticvsTechnocraticKnowledge??Citizeninputlimitedbyclass,languageandtechnicaldifferences??Raceasignificantfactor??Communitieshavetodocumenttheeffectsofexposureandconfrontnotonly pollutersbutalsovariousinstitutionsthatblocktheiraccess??WhereelseinChapters1&2doyousee evidenceofbarrierstocitizenparticipation?GrassrootsOrganizingandCitizenLawsuits??ResidentsofKettlemanCitysuedandthecourtruledthatlackof participationinthereview processmandatedbytheCalifornia EnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA)wasaviolation.??TheresidentshaddemandedreviewoftheEnvironmentalImpactReport (EIR).??GreenpeaceandElPuebloorganizedtosend5,000postcardstothe BoardandtheFarmBureau.??Theyalsocollected17,000signaturesinoppositiontotheincinerator.??ChemWasteappealedthejudgment.??Thiscasereflectedthe successofgrassrootsresistance.??ChemWastewithdrewitsapplicationin1993citingdeclineinuseof incineratortechnology.Terminology??Environmentalracismandenvironmentalinjustice willbeusedinterchangeablyinallthreetextsandinthecourse.??Theterminjusticebestcapturesthattoxicassaults moreseverely/directly affectthoselowerwithina hierarchyofclassandraciallocations.??Environmentalinjusticeacknowledgesinequityasa problemforeveryone.(Cole&Fosterp15)WhereShouldWasteFacilitiesbeSited???WastefacilitiesareLULUS(locallyundesirablelanduses)??Shouldwejust stopcreatingwaste?Howdowe dothat???Whatarethegoalsoftheenvironmentalmovement?Thedistributionofcommercial,hazardousorpotentiallyhazardousfacilitiesaswellasthecleanupof ìsuperfund sitesî concernsoccupationalenvironmental health.Whatyou shouldlearn fromthispresentation??Thisconcludestheintroductiontothecourseandthedifferent sourcesofinformationIwillbeusing.??Youshouldreadpage1-53ofCole&FosterFromtheGroundUp: EnvironmentalRacismandtheRiseof theEnvironmentalJusticeMovementthisweek.??Pleaseposttothediscussionboard,introduceyourselfwithname, majorandabriefbiography.??Haveyoutakenanonlinecoursebefore?Haveyoutakenotherdistancelearningcoursesbefore???Iwillpostquestionsfordiscussionfocusedontheoverviewand pp1-53onFriday8a.m.andyouwillhaveuntil8p.m.Mondayto postaresponse.??MakesurethatyoulogintoWebCtthisweekagainforadditional postingsandannouncements!
Premium Service
- 100% Custom papers
- Any delivery date
- 100% Confidentiality
- 24/7 Customer support
- The finest writers & editors
- No hidden charges
- No resale promise
Format and Features
- Approx. 275 words / page
- All paper formats (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago/Turabian)
- Font: 12 point Arial/Times New Roman
- Double and single spacing
- FREE bibliography page
- FREE title page
0% Plagiarism
We take all due measures in order to avoid plagiarisms in papers. We have strict fines policy towards those writers who use plagiarisms and members of QAD make sure that papers are original.
