141: Environmental Justice
From: World Ocean Radio
Series: World Ocean Radio: The Sea Connects All Things
Length: 05:40
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Environmental justice is defined by the EPA as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies..." However, there are many examples where this is simply not the case, as in the location of landfills, incinerators, sewage treatment plants, etc.--uses with known hazardous and unhealthy impacts which affect the local communities typically inhabited by indigenous peoples, minorities, and the poor. Inequities of environmental justice are not limited to the United States: there are countless similar situations in other countries and at sea where waste and persistent organic pollutants are exported and deposited in the deep ocean away from scrutiny and national regulation. In this episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill will discuss environmental inequality and a number of organizations around the globe active in this area, including the Environmental Justice Foundation (www.ejfoundation.org).
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
Environmental justice is defined by the EPA as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies..." However, there are many examples where this is simply not the case, as in the location of landfills, incinerators, sewage treatment plants, etc.--uses with known hazardous and unhealthy impacts which affect the local communities typically inhabited by indigenous peoples, minorities, and the poor. Inequities of environmental justice are not limited to the United States: there are countless similar situations in other countries and at sea where waste and persistent organic pollutants are exported and deposited in the deep ocean away from scrutiny and national regulation. In this episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill will discuss environmental inequality and a number of organizations around the globe active in this area, including the Environmental Justice Foundation (www.ejfoundation.org).
Broadcast History
WERU-FM, Blue Hill, ME; California Academy of Sciences/Steinhart Aquarium; KSER-FM, Everett, WA; Erie Maritime Museum, Mystic Seaport.
Transcript
WOR 141_Environmental Justice
I’m Peter Neill, Director of the World Ocean Observatory.
Justice may be defined as fair or moral conduct, the exercise of authority in the maintenance of right. The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this Nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work," all of which makes sense give our Constitutional guarantee of “equal protection under the law.”
Of co...
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Additional Credits
Peter Neill: producer, host; Trisha Badger: associate producer
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