Environmental Justice & Racial Equity

Environmental Justice (EJ) purpose is to minimize and equalize effects of environmental hazards among the entire community regardless of income, ethnicity, or race. The California Government Code (Section 65040.12) defines environmental justice as “The fair treatment and meaningful participation of people of all races, culture and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies” (Moffitt et al., 2019). Issues of environmental justice often arise from geographic or procedural inequities. Geographic inequities occur when neighborhoods with high percentages of low-income residents, minority residents, and/or immigrant communities take more than their share of the worst environmental hazards and resulting health problems from exposure to these hazards (Moffitt et al., 2019). Procedural inequities occur when the same neighborhoods face obstacles to participate in the decision-making process for projects that directly affect their neighborhoods (National City, 3-214). One such obstacle would be access to pertinent, yet public information. Many low-income households either do not have internet capacities or are digitally removed from information due to not understanding how technology and the internet work. This would affect a large portion of the senior and immigrant communities. According to the California Environmental Justice Alliance, there are many factors which may further contribute to these geographic and procedural inequalities. These include but are not limited to a development pattern that concentrates undesirable or unhealthy land uses in certain areas, the placement of desirable public amenities outside of disadvantaged communities and limited or non-existing political influence among certain demographic groups (Moffitt et al., 2019) such as industrial facilities and transportation modes. The purpose of the Environmental Justice (EJ Element) is to address public health risks and environmental justice concerns of those living in disadvantaged communities, many of which are the result of geographic or procedural inequities (Moffitt et al., 2019). Furthermore, Planning decisions related to types of land uses, such as agriculture location, density and intensity of land uses; transportation systems and water have a profound impact on both public health and environmental justice.

Challenge:

Many low-income households either do not have internet capacities or are digitally removed from information due to not understanding how technology and the internet work. This would affect a large portion of the senior and immigrant communities. According to the California Environmental Justice Alliance, there are many factors which may further contribute to these geographic and procedural inequalities. These include but are not limited to a development pattern that concentrates undesirable or unhealthy land uses in certain areas, the placement of desirable public amenities outside of disadvantaged communities and limited or non-existing political influence among certain demographic groups (Moffitt et al., 2019) such as industrial facilities and transportation modes.

Existing Solutions:

The Environmental Justice (EJ Element) is to address public health risks and environmental justice concerns of those living in disadvantaged communities, many of which are the result of geographic or procedural inequities (Moffitt et al., 2019). Furthermore, Planning decisions related to types of land uses, such as agriculture location, density and intensity of land uses; transportation systems and water have a profound impact on both public health and environmental justice.

Recommendation:

Equity Alliance Group, Inc will partner with NAACP Stockton Branch to identify objectives and policies to reduce unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities within their jurisdiction.

These objectives and policies cover the following topical areas, that EAG can supply outreach by:

• Educate on drought resilience in a culturally competent manner
• Educate on reduce pollution exposure, including improving air quality
• Promote public facilities
• Support outreach on Food access
• Educate on safe and sanitary homes
• Promote physical activity that identifies the objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.

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