What Environmental Justice in Action is All About
By Mustafa Ali
Nothing brings about change faster than when local communities get involved and organize to improve the conditions in their cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Over the years, I have travelled to communities across the country, where the impacts of pollution and public health problems are all too real. On each of these visits, I have been struck by what a difference it makes when residents are involved in the environmental decision-making and have a voice in designing a vision for the future in the places they call home.
Community engagement is a key tenant of environmental justice and why it is so important that we have a place to share our stories, or successes, and our expertise. It is our hope that this blog will support the online community of advocates working for environmental justice and create a space where we can highlight the positive activities happening in communities to reduce environmental and health disparities. Organizations, businesses and citizens throughout America are trying a wide range of approaches to advance environmental justice. We want to capture these good ideas and connect them to others across the country.
Additionally, many government agencies offer resources for overburdened communities, but it can seem daunting to locate them all. And, since EPA’s Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, promoted environmental justice as one of her top priorities, there has been important progress at EPA and other federal agencies to address environmental justice concerns and expand the benefits of government programs in low-income and minority communities. Environmental Justice in Action! will also serve as a space where we can share information about the resources, tools, and programs available to help achieve healthy and sustainable communities.
My goal for this blog is to make this a resource for you and to provide an opportunity for everyone to join the conversation on environmentalism. So, it is important that we hear from you! Let us know what types of information would be most useful and interesting to you.What do you want to learn more about? Please post your thoughts and comments here and on future posts to help us better design this blog to meet your needs. While the government can provide support and assist in building capacity in communities, putting environmental justice into action takes you!
About the author: Mustafa Ali currently serves as the Associate Director of Communications for EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice. He has been a national speaker, trainer and facilitator on social justice issues for the past 20 years and focused on the issue of environmental justice for the past 19 years.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Religions Approach.-
All of the people in the world who need environmental justice are praise to The God and believed its help out their life. Join with the leaders of religions could be success for EPA’s mission.-
There are organizations out there where religious institutions come together to work on environmental education and action. Check out http://www.greenfaith.org
I agree that efforts within our most challenged communites can really pay off. I’d like to see articles about what companies are doing to bring eco-jobs to the innercity. I can’t think of a better way to instill dignity and pride in a community then to give people an opportunity to work and learn new skills while earning a fair wage.
Environmental Justice gives way to Paradise Regained. This is an excellent way of doing good things to nature.
Environmental Topics For Consideration:
* Pros and Cons of Living In A Community Located Near a Garbage Dump
* Most Common Environmental Hazards…For The Non-Environmentally Aware
* How To Get Local Businesses Involved In Cleaning The Environment
* Top 5 Threats To Drinking Water Safety, And What To Do About It
The Green Patrol in action – S02E06 – Prijepolje – A river of life that carries death with it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgIimxQsKQQ
It is great to see that EPA and the Federal, State & Local governments and Business are finally interested in addressing such a worthy issue. It is refreshing to read the stories on here and your website about the positive stories that are happening all over the country – we need to here about more of them…
I heard Mr. Ali give a memorable speech a number of years ago and his words inspired me to get involved with the local issues in my city and learn how many stakeholders are working in a collaborative fashion to create healthy communities for all citizens. My church now focuses on EJ issues and many of our members regularly volunteer with community service projects and local non profits. I don’t often get to say “Good Job” to our government but this time I will!
As a Republican, Historian and a Minister I am happy to see that EPA is focusing on collaborative processes that can yield positive results in communities. I think many don’t know that it was a “Republican Administration” that started Environmental Equity/Justice at EPA. I feel that these issues should be non-partisan, because it gives us a chance to strengthen our country by assisting those neighborhoods and communities in greatest need. It is time for us to move beyond preconceived ideas and political rhetoric and support programs and strategies that can help our brothers and sisters who are trying to live in healthier communities.
How could those of us who call ourselves “Christians” not support these types of initiatives? If more of us would just stop and think, “What would Jesus do”??? I think most would agree that being open to supporting environmental justice is the right thing to do. May God bless our great country!
Thank you for your suggestions. We are planning on writing about many of the things that have been proposed here, and will consider all of these topics. We appreciate your feedback and perspectives, it helps us greatly!
I really enjoy your blog and the videos that are being shared. Keep up the good work!
Great idea creating this blog – the stories that you are sharing are filled with great information.
I have to second what others have said- this is one of the best Blog sites I have visited- Keep sharing these inspiring stories- especially the ones from communities.
I’m a conservative on most issues and not easily impressed by most social initiatives. I spent most of the evening reading your blogs and watching the video series and I must commend you on the richness of the content. It is so refreshing to see communities who have come together with others to make their neighborhoods great places to live. These are american success stories, taking tragedy in some instances and turning them into triumphs!
I love this blog series it provides great information in a way that engages the reader. Almost every topic that I have questions about is covered and the videos you have added are very educational. Please continue to share this very important information, as a physician I find it very helpful in my practice.
Dr. Regan