Skip to main content

Environmental Justice


Before reading the material for this blog, I had no idea that environmental racism was even a thing. Because these individuals are low income and live in areas near toxic waste sites, they are exposed to more social determinants.  Living near these sites puts them at higher risk to health issues due to the air, water, and food that can all be affected. Due to the awful stench that permeates everything, it automatically makes surrounding organizations (schools, workplaces, and homes) unsafe.

 It’s extremely sad to read that there’s resistance to environmental law when this is a public health issue that has to do with our health and well being. Climate change is an important issue to address. Therefore, politicians should not resist in addressing this because climate change has the potential to multiply environmental risks, which can increase the price of food while intensifying devastating storms. There are a lot of questions up in the air in regards to climate change and environmentalists should not only focus on the technical aspect of it. They should also consider prioritizing vulnerable communities who suffer from economic power and racial inequality. After all, “the struggles of indigenous peoples are not optional or supplemental. They are at the heart of the work” (Purdy, 2016)

References:

Purdy, J. (2016). Environmentalism was once a social-justice movement. The Atlantic. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/12/how-the-environmental-movement-can-recover-its-soul/509831/



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Green Chemistry

I have never thought about chemistry in a sustainable way and it was really interesting to learn about this as it was a new concept for me. My favorite part was learning about the difference between green chemistry and cleaning up pollution. Green chemistry reduces pollution while cleaning up pollution includes cleaning up environmental spills (and other releases) and treating waste streams. I think green chemistry is great for human health by providing cleaner water, air, i ncreased safety for workers in the chemical industry, s afer consumer products, safer food, and less exposure to chemicals. Green chemistry reduces the risk of exposure to chemicals of concern to human health and the environment across life cycle. It helps r educe exposure across the globe and aims to have healthier communities, materials, products, people and planet.  The 12 principles really helped me better understand how green chemistry reduces risk and minimizes environmental footprint. They serve as ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chemical Policy Reform

The background subject I chose to blog about is "Give the Public and Workers the Full Right-to-Know and Participate." I agree with this paper that we have every right to know about the chemicals we are exposed to. Policy makers and public health professionals need to come together and develop laws and practices that make it mandatory to inform workers and communities of toxic chemical sources and exposures. This paper does a great job at examining current limitations in disclosure policies. I like this papers approach, "Right to Know"basically saying that workers and the public shouldn't have to find out about exposures through government documents, it should be routine and systematic to report and let the public and workers know of any toxic chemicals or other environmental health hazards that we are being exposed to.
Post a Comment
Read more

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and water quality

What is the source of your drinking water? Where does your water ORIGINATE?  Water System Name: Morada Acres Water System  Type of Water Source: Groundwater wells What chemicals were found in your water that were higher than expected? Detection of Contaminants with a PRIMARY Drinking Water Standard: *There have been no contaminants detected in the water supply, however the source is still considered vulnerable to activities located near the drinking water source. See below: Gross Alpha Activity (pCi/L) 2010 2.90 1.76 – 5.11 15 N/A Erosion of natural deposits Uranium (pCi/L) 2010 4.92 – 20 N/A Erosion of natural deposits Radium 228 (pCi/L) 2006 0.11 0.10–0.12 5 N/A Erosion of natural deposits Arsenic (ppb) 2007 2 – 10 0.004 Erosion of natural deposits; run-off from orchards; glass and electronics production wastes Barium (ppb) 2008 130 – 1000 2 Oil drilling and metal refinery waste discharge; erosion of natural deposits Chromium (ppb) 2008 6 – 50 2.5 Disc...
Post a Comment
Read more