Issues you care about related to environmental quality
Discuss an issue you care about related to environmental quality and find an article, video, or infographic (from the CQ Researcher database or other appropriate location from the Shapiro Library) to support it. Post the resource link in the discussion board.
A link to the CQ Researcher database is provided in this module's optional resources.
How does the issue in the resource relate to environmental quality and equity issues?
Who is impacted by the same issue in the resource, and who would be responsible for fixing the issue?
use the following scenario to answer questions listed above:
Scenario 2: Social Justice
Scenario from Project Guidelines and Rubric You live in a neighborhood with an active community organization. You and your neighbors are very concerned about inequity, as the city is spending money on improving road conditions in some areas, but not others. One of your neighbors asked you to join them in attending a community action meeting to address these observations in the form of an informational campaign. By reading the Elm Glen city profile, you will learn about an example that highlights sustainability in action. In the Project Template, you will describe some actionable steps the organization could take for each pillar of sustainability. Organization Profile Elm Glen is a primarily residential neighborhood in a mid-sized city. It is a densely urban area with a diverse population. About a quarter of the people in the community speak a language other than English as their primary language. The median family income is average compared to the rest of the city. The neighborhood is served by public transportation and is home to a commercial strip along Academy Boulevard. The neighborhood has a community organization called the Elm Glen Community Association, which is made up of a small group of residents of the neighborhood who work to make sure the area is safe and well maintained by the city. The neighborhood has a mix of streets, with some generally more well maintained than others. Members of the community association have observed that the city has prioritized spending money on repairing broken sidewalks, clearing sewer drains, and beautifying medians in some areas, while neglecting other areas. In looking at the environmental concerns they have for the neighborhood, the association has decided to look at the specifics of the Flint, Michigan, water crisis to see what issues, missteps, and obstacles the city encountered in addressing that crisis. They will then use that information to help determine the steps they should recommend the city takes to prevent inequity in addressing the concerns of the neighborhood. Case Study Summary The water crisis in Flint, Michigan, is a case of governmental negligence and environmental injustice. As a sustainability pillar, environmental justice relates to the human impact on environmental quality and its unfairly distributed impacts. Flintâs mishandling of the water supply in 2014 adversely affected the drinking water supply of 100,000 people, and the impacts disproportionately fell on those with little resources to effectively provide themselves with safe drinking water. The cityâs governmental leaders failed in providing the basic necessity of water to its residents, resulting in tragic lead poisoning, which is especially dangerous to children. As you will read in detail, the Flint water crisis is about much more than lead water pipes; it is about intentional environmental injustice. In the aftermath of the tragedy, we have learned lessons about promoting environmental justice in sustainability decision-making.
Sample Solution
The Issue: Unequal Road Maintenance in Elm Glen
The Elm Glen neighborhood exemplifies a common urban issue: the unequal distribution of public services. The disparity in road maintenance within the community highlights a broader problem of environmental injustice. This inequity can lead to various negative consequences, including increased traffic congestion, air pollution, and safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists.
Full Answer Section
The Flint water crisis serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of environmental injustice. Similar to the road maintenance issue in Elm Glen, the crisis exposed systemic failures in governance and a disregard for the well-being of marginalized communities. Both cases highlight the importance of equitable distribution of public resources and the need for transparent decision-making processes. Impact and Responsibility Who is impacted?- Residents: Those living on poorly maintained streets experience increased health risks due to air pollution and safety hazards.
- Businesses: Deteriorating road conditions can negatively impact businesses by deterring customers and increasing operating costs.
- Environment: Poor road conditions contribute to increased traffic congestion and air pollution, harming the environment.
- City government: Primarily responsible for road maintenance and allocation of resources.
- Community organizations: Can advocate for equitable distribution of resources and engage residents in the decision-making process.
- Residents: Can participate in community organizing and advocate for their neighborhood's needs.
- Data collection: Gather data on the condition of roads throughout the neighborhood to document the disparities.
- Community engagement: Organize community meetings to discuss the issue and develop a shared vision for the neighborhood.
- Advocacy: Lobby city officials for increased funding and equitable allocation of resources for road maintenance.
- Partnerships: Collaborate with other community organizations and neighborhood associations to amplify the community's voice.
- Education and awareness: Educate community members about the connection between road conditions, public health, and environmental quality.