THE ACTIVITIES
WITH JUSTICE FOR ALL

Description: Students, in small group cooperation, will do extensive Internet research to understand the concept and origins of Environmental Justice (EJ). The research will include a focused look at President Clinton's Executive Order 12898. Finally, the students will submit an MLS style paper, with examples, on Environmental Justice.

GO DIRECTLY TO:

• Goals and Objectives
• Procedure and Teaching Suggestions
• Student Activity
• Extension

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

	Materials and Equipment Internet access MLS writing guidelines

Students will be introduced to a concept with which they are likely totally unfamiliar. It is therefore very important that they grasp the concept, its history and origin fully. Students will understand:

• The concept of Environmental Justice (and injustice)
• What an Executive Order is and looks like
• MLA style of research paper
• How to take a generalized concept and find examples of it in their lives
• How to offer specific solutions to broad base problems

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PROCEDURE AND TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

This activity will introduce students to a very complex socioeconomic concept. It is necessary for the students to fully comprehend Environmental Justice before looking at President Clinton's Executive Order. Understanding the origin, history and implications of inequity in minority and poor living conditions is critical in order for the students, later in the assignment, to identify them in their community.

If necessary, review the proper MLA writing style with students.

There are several excellent sites for helping students grasp the concept of Environmental Justice. In addition to the Environmental Protection Agency site there are four universities with Environmental Justice programs. You may prefer to start with these:

1. Environmental Protection Agency
2. Environmental Justice Research Center
   Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA)
3. Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
   Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA)
4. Thurgood Marshall Environmental Justice Legal Clinic
   Texas Southern University (Houston, TX)
5. Environmental Justice and Equity Institute
   Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL)

1. Small groups will work effectively for this research. You might want to assign each student in the group to research one of the sites, then get back together and discuss what they each found. Students should pay particular attention to the origins and history of Environmental Justice as they research.
2. Next, students will locate and study Executive Order 12898 and the accompanying suggested guidelines as found in:
• http://www.eh.doc.gov/oepa/guidance/justice/eo12898.pdf, and
• http://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/guidance/justice/envjustice.pdf.
3. Based on the students' research of Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898, they will interpret this information in their own community by locating a site they believe qualifies as "environmentally INjust". Based on the qualifiers they have learned, it should not be difficult for the students to locate such an area in the community.
4. Finally, the group will submit a paper, in correct MLA style, discussing their findings. The paper should include the following:
   • A definition of Environmental Justice including origin, history and implications
   • A recapitulation of Executive Order 12898, its meaning and intent
   • Example(s) of areas in the students' community that reflect environmental injustice
   • Suggestions for positive changes, or adherence to EO 12898 if applicable, for the area(s) of injustice within their community that they cited

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STUDENT ACTIVITY

Well, the issue of private property rights and the public's need to maintain an active and functioning environment are essentially in conflict in all levels of government. Our constitution guarantees us the right to use our own property, but everything we know as scientists basically says that the free, unrestricted use of property is going to lead to the degradation of the environment at a far more rapid rate than it should have. —Dr. Courtney Hackney Professor of Biological Science, UNCW Paving the American Dream

This activity will introduce you to the concept of Environmental Justice, presidential Executive Orders, the MLA style of writing and effective research and interaction within small groups. Environmental injustice affects millions of people every day; not only in their living conditions but with respect to their health and livelihood as well. As you begin to understand the concept, you will be researching what has been done at the national level to address the problem as well as assessing your community and interpreting causes, effects and potential solutions.

There are several excellent sites for helping understand the concept of Environmental Justice. In addition to the Environmental Protection Agency site there are four universities with Environmental Justice programs:

1. Environmental Protection Agency
2. Environmental Justice Research Center
   Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA)
3. Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
   Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA)
4. Thurgood Marshall Environmental Justice Legal Clinic
   Texas Southern University (Houston, TX)
5. Environmental Justice and Equity Institute
   Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL)

1. Small groups will work effectively for this research. You might want to have each person in your group research one of the sites, then get back together and discuss what you each found. Pay particular attention to the origin, history and current implications of Environmental Justice as you research.
2. Next, locate and study Executive Order 12898 and the accompanying suggested guidelines as found in:
• http://www.eh.doc.gov/oepa/guidance/justice/eo12898.pdf, and
• http://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/guidance/justice/envjustice.pdf http://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/guidance/justice/envjustice.pdf.
3. Based on your research of Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898, you will be able to interpret this information to your community. Using the EJ qualifiers you have learned, look at your community and identify an area(s) you believe qualifies as "environmentally INjust". An example of this might be living areas beside a large number of abandoned buildings or beside a toxic waste area. List the factors that substantiate your position.
4. Finally, your group will write a position paper, in correct MLA style, discussing your findings. The paper should include all of the following: A fully developed definition of Environmental Justice including origin, history and implications A fully developed recapitulation of Executive Order 12898, its meaning and intent A fully developed example of an area or areas in your community that reflect environmental injustice A fully developed set of suggestions for positive changes, or adherence to EO 12898 if applicable, for the areas of injustice you have identified.

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EXTENSION

Have students watch the movie Erin Brokovitch and discuss how this movie is applicable to Environmental Justice.

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