Environmental Justice and Resiliency in an Age of Uncertainty

Description

This book examines the issue of environmental justice across 11short chapters, with the aim of creating a resilient society. Starting with a history of the environmental justice movement, the book then moves on to focus on various current environmental issues, analyzing how these issues impact low-income and minority communities. Topics covered include smart cities and environmental justice, climate change and health equity, the Flint Water Crisis, coastal resilience, emergency management, energy justice, procurement and contract management, public works projects, and the impact of COVID-19. Each chapter provides a unique perspective on the issues covered, offering practical strategies to create a more resilient society that can be applied by practitioners in the field. Environmental Justice and Resiliency in an Age of Uncertainty will be of interest to upper level undergraduate and graduate students studying race relations, environmental politics and policy, sustainability, and social justice. It will also appeal to practitioners working at all levels of government, and anyone with an interest in environmental issues, racial justice, and the construction of resilient communities. Cover Half Title Endorsement Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Figures Contributors Acknowledgments Introduction 1 An Overview of Environmental Justice Introduction Social Vulnerability and Environmental Justice Beginning of the Environmental Justice Movement US Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental Justice Federal Policies Supporting Environmental Justice President Clinton Signs Executive Order 12898 Challenges Implementing Executive Order 12898 Federal Civil Rights Laws and Constitutional Rights State Environmental Justice Legislation and Policy Conclusion Review/Discussion Questions Resource References 2 Climate Justice and Vulnerable Populations Introduction Global Climate Justice Cases of Climate Injustice: Vulnerable Regions of the World Haiti Sub-Saharan Africa Climate Change and Public Health: A California Case Study Climate Change and the Elderly Urban Heat Islands: A Public Health Threat The Legacy of Redlining in the United States: Impact On Urban Areas Health Issues Caused By Chronic Exposure to Heat Community-Based Resilience Strategies to Address Climate Change Tackling Climate Change at the Local Level: The Case of Richmond, VA Federal Actions to Address Climate Justice Conclusion Review/Discussion Questions References 3 COVID-19: Addressing Health Equity in the United States Introduction Navigating Through a Pandemic: Addressing Health Inequities Occupational Status and COVID-19 COVID-19 Vaccine COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy The Legacy of the Tuskegee Study Vaccine Hesitancy and a Lack of Accessibility Building Trust in Minority Communities: Strategies for Resiliency Whole Community Approach Means All of the United States Health Equity Strategy: Building Resilient Communities Conclusion Review/Discussion Questions References 4 The Flint Water Crisis Introduction A Deadly Decision Consequences of Deadly Decision Demographics of Flint Citizens Shut Out of Decision-Making Process Environmental Injustice in Flint Moving Forward Looking Back: The Decline of Flint Public Administration Theory and the Modern Political Environment Environmental Injustice Lack of Government Oversight The Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental Injustice Accountability Strategies for Achieving Resiliency Discussion Questions References 5 Anti-Resilience Factors of Environmental Justice Communities Introduction Housing Education Political Indifference Siting of Polluting Facilities in Poor/Minority Neighborhoods Environmental Justice in the Nation’s Capital The Community Air Pollution Linked to Respiratory Diseases Like Asthma Contamination From Coal-Fired Plants Landfills and Incinerators Chemical Contaminants Associated With Power Plants, Incinerators, and Landfills Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Metals Mercury Lead Summary of Concerns About Health Effects From Environmental Chemicals Conclusion Discussion Questions References 6 Environmental Justice and Smart Cities Smart City Overview Smart Cities Address Civic Problems Smart Cities Use Data-Driven Approaches Smart Cities Can Support Environmental Justice Smart City Air Quality Monitoring Case Study Smart City Temperature Monitoring Case Study Smart City Mobility Case Study Conclusion Strategies to Help Achieve Resiliency Discussion/Review Questions References 7 Advancing Energy Justice Through Local Clean Energy A California Climate Crisis Defining Energy Justice Energy Justice in Practice Affordability Access Impacts Participation Public Safety Power Shutoffs: A California Energy Crisis Local Clean Energy: An Energy Justice Strategy Climate and Public Health Energy Resilience Energy Insecurity and Building Wealth Energy Democracy Energy Justice and California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program RYSE Center: Implementing Energy Justice in Richmond, CA Energy Justice in an Age of Uncertainty Discussion/Review Questions References 8 Emergency Management and Environmental Justice: Disaster Preparedness in Vulnerable Communities Introduction Strategies to Help Achieve Resiliency Summary Conclusion Discussion/Review Questions References 9 Public Works: A Partner to Build More Equitable Communities Introduction The Built Environment’s Impact On Equity Public Works’ Role in Providing Infrastructure A History of Bias Bias in Public Transportation Bias in Infrastructure—Case Studies East Side Story Islands of Disadvantage in Northern Virginia Inequity in Seattle Streetlight Services What Can Be Done—Case Studies King County, Washington Fairfax County, Virginia Tools to Improve Equity Engagement Education and Exposure Data Infrastructure Equity Planning and Design Tools Conclusion Review/Discussion Questions References 10 Public Procurement and Contract Management for Environmental Justice and Resiliency Introduction Government Facets to Resiliency and Partnership: Scope and Opportunities In Federal Government In State and Local Government The Business Sector Corresponding Perspective Conclusion Discussion Questions References Conclusion: Building a Justice-Focused Resilient Path Forward Index