Pollution Prevention and Environmental JusticeEPA defines Environmental Justice (EJ) as the "fair treatment for people of all races, cultures, and incomes, regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." Over the last decade, attention to the impact of environmental pollution on particular segments of our society has been steadily growing, including a concern that minority populations and/or low-income populations bear a disproportionate amount of adverse health and environmental effects. Pollution prevention can be an important strategy to address community concerns about adverse risks or exposures. This session will explore the definition of environmental justice; how it is applied in the work of federal, state, and local environmental protection agencies; tips and techniques for working with environmental justice communities; and opportunities for pollution prevention providers to address the concerns in their communities. It will be conducted by Running Grass, an environmental justice specialist at EPA Region 9 with many years experience in multicultural environmental education.
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