Environmental Justice, Environmental Justice,

Health and Sustainability Health and Sustainability --

An Urban ViewAn Urban View

Presentation to University of WisconsinPresentation to University of Wisconsin –– MadisonMadison

Nelson Institute For Environmental StudiesNelson Institute For Environmental Studies

October 24, 2007October 24, 2007

Peggy M. ShepardPeggy M. Shepard,,

Executive Director, CoExecutive Director, Co--FounderFounder

WE ACT For Environmental JusticeWE ACT For Environmental Justice

People of color by millions live People of color by millions live

and work in polluted and work in polluted

environments and bear brunt environments and bear brunt

of nation’s pollution problem.of nation’s pollution problem.

�� All do not have access to clean air, clean water, All do not have access to clean air, clean water, environmentally safe schools, clean workplace, open environmentally safe schools, clean workplace, open space and waterfronts with amenities.space and waterfronts with amenities.

�� Exposures, health risks are greaterExposures, health risks are greater

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICEENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

�� Government has done little to correct.Government has done little to correct.

�� Inequitable environmental enforcementInequitable environmental enforcement

�� 1982 in Warren County, N.C., 500 protested PCB 1982 in Warren County, N.C., 500 protested PCB

landfill. Term environmental racism was coined.landfill. Term environmental racism was coined.

�� In 1986, United Church of Christ publishes Toxic In 1986, United Church of Christ publishes Toxic

Waste and Race documenting that 3 of 5 African Waste and Race documenting that 3 of 5 African

Americans, Latinos live in communities with Americans, Latinos live in communities with

unregulated waste sites.unregulated waste sites.

Environmental RacismEnvironmental Racism

�� Civil rights analysis of environmental decision Civil rights analysis of environmental decision making.making.

�� Discrimination in the enforcement of laws, Discrimination in the enforcement of laws, deliberate targeting of COC for toxic waste deliberate targeting of COC for toxic waste disposal, permitting of polluted facilities in disposal, permitting of polluted facilities in overburdened communities, exclusion of POC overburdened communities, exclusion of POC from staff and boards of mainstream from staff and boards of mainstream envirosenviros, , decision making boards, commissions and decision making boards, commissions and regulatory bodies. Problem is global.regulatory bodies. Problem is global.

Environmental RacismEnvironmental Racism

�� Civil rights analysis of environmental decision Civil rights analysis of environmental decision making.making.

�� Discrimination in the enforcement of laws, Discrimination in the enforcement of laws, deliberate targeting of COC for toxic waste deliberate targeting of COC for toxic waste disposal, permitting of polluted facilities in disposal, permitting of polluted facilities in overburdened communities, exclusion of POC overburdened communities, exclusion of POC from staff and boards of mainstream from staff and boards of mainstream envirosenviros, , decision making boards, commissions and decision making boards, commissions and regulatory bodies. Problem is global.regulatory bodies. Problem is global.

Environmental Justice Environmental Justice

FrameworkFramework�� Challenges current environmental protection Challenges current environmental protection

paradigm in addressing environmental paradigm in addressing environmental inequities, disparate impact, unequal protection.inequities, disparate impact, unequal protection.

�� Seeks to prevent environment threats before Seeks to prevent environment threats before occur by supporting the Precautionary Principle occur by supporting the Precautionary Principle approach to approving new chemicals.approach to approving new chemicals.

�� Incorporates other social movements seeking to Incorporates other social movements seeking to stop harmful practices involving housing, land stop harmful practices involving housing, land use, zoning, economic disinvestment, use, zoning, economic disinvestment, infrastructure decline, industrial production, infrastructure decline, industrial production, health, sanitation.health, sanitation.

CommunityCommunity--Based Activism, Based Activism,

Collaboration Thru EJ NetworksCollaboration Thru EJ Networks

�� Networks provide communication and shared Networks provide communication and shared

strategies at the local and national levels to:strategies at the local and national levels to:

�� Support local, national initiatives /campaigns.Support local, national initiatives /campaigns.

�� Connect organizing to broader EJ movement.Connect organizing to broader EJ movement.

�� Develop new generation of grassroots leaders, Develop new generation of grassroots leaders,

professionals, and green jobs.professionals, and green jobs.

�� Advance women leaders who have emerged as Advance women leaders who have emerged as

their communities are threatened.their communities are threatened.

Mobilizing Nationally Mobilizing Nationally ----

Environmental Leadership SummitEnvironmental Leadership Summit

�� 1991:Grassroots mobilization culminated in the 1991:Grassroots mobilization culminated in the Summit in Washington that drew 300 delegates Summit in Washington that drew 300 delegates and 1,000 participants from the grassroots, major and 1,000 participants from the grassroots, major environmental groups, foundations and environmental groups, foundations and government. government.

�� Delegates recognized commonality that cut across Delegates recognized commonality that cut across geography, race, ethnicity, and culture. They left geography, race, ethnicity, and culture. They left Washington with a draft of 17 Principles of Washington with a draft of 17 Principles of Environmental Justice and a mandate to organize Environmental Justice and a mandate to organize regional and national networks to democratize regional and national networks to democratize environmental decision making and empower environmental decision making and empower communities of color to speak, act for themselves.communities of color to speak, act for themselves.

Forcing Government AccountabilityForcing Government Accountability

�� June 1992 :June 1992 : EPA issues Environmental Equity Report, EPA issues Environmental Equity Report, assessing the concerns and demands of its new, nonassessing the concerns and demands of its new, non--traditional, constituency, including a controversial power traditional, constituency, including a controversial power analysis.analysis.

�� June 1992 :June 1992 : EPA issues Farm Worker Protection RegulationsEPA issues Farm Worker Protection Regulations

�� June 1992 :June 1992 : EJ Delegation goes to Rio Earth SummitEJ Delegation goes to Rio Earth Summit

�� September 1993 :September 1993 : EPA establishes the National Environmental EPA establishes the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)

President’s Executive Order President’s Executive Order

�� February 1994 : February 1994 : President issues Executive Order on EJ, President issues Executive Order on EJ, directing agencies to develop new policies, directing agencies to develop new policies, procedures to address disproportionate burden of procedures to address disproportionate burden of pollution.pollution.

�� February 1994 :February 1994 : NIEHS hosts Interagency Symposium NIEHS hosts Interagency Symposium on Health Research and Needs to Ensure EJ, attended on Health Research and Needs to Ensure EJ, attended by 1,100, including 400 EJ advocates who stress by 1,100, including 400 EJ advocates who stress importance of community involvement in the importance of community involvement in the scientific research agenda. Scientists agree on critical scientific research agenda. Scientists agree on critical need to address disparate environmental exposures need to address disparate environmental exposures leading to escalating health disparities. leading to escalating health disparities.

Impacting Regulation and PolicyImpacting Regulation and Policy

�� 1996: 1996: EPA expands RCRA Public Participation Rule to EPA expands RCRA Public Participation Rule to empower communities to become involved in permitting empower communities to become involved in permitting process; incorporates EJ into NEPA requirements.process; incorporates EJ into NEPA requirements.

�� 1996: 1996: Advocacy by NEJAC results in 1Advocacy by NEJAC results in 1stst ever relocation by ever relocation by EPA of 358 AfricanEPA of 358 African--American households near Escambia American households near Escambia Wood Treatment Plant in Pensacola, Fla.Wood Treatment Plant in Pensacola, Fla.

�� 1996: 1996: President issues Executive Order on Indian Sacred Sites, President issues Executive Order on Indian Sacred Sites, protecting Native religious sites.protecting Native religious sites.

�� 1999: 1999: Institute of Medicine, NIH, publishes Environmental Institute of Medicine, NIH, publishes Environmental Justice: Research NeedsJustice: Research Needs

Issues Are InterIssues Are Inter--Connected Connected

�� Environmental sustainability is a human right: Equal Environmental sustainability is a human right: Equal enforcement, civil rights and Title VI, land rights, enforcement, civil rights and Title VI, land rights, sovereignty, reparations, globalization, food security.sovereignty, reparations, globalization, food security.

�� Children’s Environmental Health: asthma, lead, pesticides, Children’s Environmental Health: asthma, lead, pesticides, prepre--natal exposures passed to next generations.natal exposures passed to next generations.

�� Toxics and Waste: hazardous, radioactive, military toxics Toxics and Waste: hazardous, radioactive, military toxics sites, schools and toxics, pollution of air, water, land.sites, schools and toxics, pollution of air, water, land.

�� Land Use, Planning & Zoning: suburban sprawl & smart Land Use, Planning & Zoning: suburban sprawl & smart growth, growth, brownfieldsbrownfields redevelopment, gentrification & redevelopment, gentrification & displacement.displacement.

Resolution Requires Resolution Requires

Collaboration With New AlliesCollaboration With New Allies

�� Climate Change / Climate JusticeClimate Change / Climate Justice

�� Alternative Energy Sources: Alternative Energy Sources: renewablesrenewables, , sustainable energy, green jobs.sustainable energy, green jobs.

�� Green Chemistry and Pollution PreventionGreen Chemistry and Pollution Prevention

�� Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

�� Transportation EquityTransportation Equity

�� Worker and Occupational Health & SafetyWorker and Occupational Health & Safety

WE ACT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL

JUSTICE

�� WE ACT builds community power that improves environmental WE ACT builds community power that improves environmental health, policy and protection in communities of color and lowhealth, policy and protection in communities of color and low--income communities.income communities.

�� Emerged in 1988 out of community struggles re: North River Emerged in 1988 out of community struggles re: North River sewage treatment plant and diesel pollution. sewage treatment plant and diesel pollution.

�� Programs: Environmental Health and CBPR, Government Programs: Environmental Health and CBPR, Government Accountability, Youth Leadership Development, Community Accountability, Youth Leadership Development, Community Organizing and Education, Sustainable Development.Organizing and Education, Sustainable Development.

�� Part of national, global EJ MovementPart of national, global EJ Movement

Northern Manhattan ProfileNorthern Manhattan Profile

�� 7.4 sq. miles; over 620,000 residents; 86% of whom 7.4 sq. miles; over 620,000 residents; 86% of whom are Africanare African--American and Latino.American and Latino.

�� Median household income is $16,000.Median household income is $16,000.

�� Excess mortality: asthma, cancer, heart disease; high Excess mortality: asthma, cancer, heart disease; high rates: low birth weight, obesity, diabetes, learning rates: low birth weight, obesity, diabetes, learning disabilities.disabilities.

�� Multiple environmental exposures.Multiple environmental exposures.

�� NonNon--attainment area for Clean Air standards.attainment area for Clean Air standards.

Key Determinants Of HealthKey Determinants Of Health

�� Race, class, income, environmental injustice.Race, class, income, environmental injustice.

�� Access to health care, environmental, occupational Access to health care, environmental, occupational exposures, important contributorsexposures, important contributors

�� Doctors McCord and Freeman found in study: Doctors McCord and Freeman found in study: African American man in Harlem less likely to live to African American man in Harlem less likely to live to age 65 than man in Bangladesh.age 65 than man in Bangladesh.

�� Concluded that contributors to excess mortality were Concluded that contributors to excess mortality were excessive exposures to environmental pollutants, excessive exposures to environmental pollutants, dilapidated housing, and over crowding.dilapidated housing, and over crowding.

Urban Environment Has Special Urban Environment Has Special

CharacteristicsCharacteristics�� Over saturation of communities with multiple sources of Over saturation of communities with multiple sources of

environmental toxicants in congested spaces;environmental toxicants in congested spaces;

�� CoCo--existence of residential and industrial sites as a result of existence of residential and industrial sites as a result of imprudent land use decisions;imprudent land use decisions;

�� Lack of documentation of most environmental health risks Lack of documentation of most environmental health risks in urban communities;in urban communities;

�� Existence of effects of multiple and cumulative exposures Existence of effects of multiple and cumulative exposures and synergistic effects;and synergistic effects;

�� Little environmental enforcement and compliance activity Little environmental enforcement and compliance activity in communities of color.in communities of color.

Components of Our EnvironmentComponents of Our Environment

�� The environment has three interacting The environment has three interacting components: components: (1)(1) natural natural (2)(2) built and built and (3)(3) social social environment that are interconnected in a way environment that are interconnected in a way that policies and practices initiated in one area, that policies and practices initiated in one area, inevitably affect the others and ,ultimately, inevitably affect the others and ,ultimately, people’s health, safety, and well being. people’s health, safety, and well being.

�� In the urban environment, land use and In the urban environment, land use and building design decisions are de facto public building design decisions are de facto public health decisions.health decisions.

The Built Environment Is An Exposure Of The Built Environment Is An Exposure Of

Interest Which Distinguishes Urban HealthInterest Which Distinguishes Urban Health

�� Studies link the built environment and people’s health. Studies link the built environment and people’s health.

�� Densely populated urban areas face range of indoor & Densely populated urban areas face range of indoor & outdoor environmental risks.outdoor environmental risks.

�� Building characteristics, landBuilding characteristics, land--use patterns, transportation use patterns, transportation choices & urban design decisions present opportunities and choices & urban design decisions present opportunities and barriers to minimizing these risks. barriers to minimizing these risks.

�� Not only public health Not only public health –– but air pollution, outdoor but air pollution, outdoor recreation, heatrecreation, heat--island effect, climate changeisland effect, climate change–– all are all are influenced by what is built and how.influenced by what is built and how.

Environmental Justice Focus on Environmental Justice Focus on

ScienceScience

� Realized that evidence-based campaigns moved policymakers, empowered residents.

� Important tool and dynamic-- science and technology.

� Has great impact on our ability to develop safe, sustainable communities.

� Lack of scientific literacy, information, data, and context was serious void contributing to systemic exclusion of communities of color from decision-making.

� Demanded health studies to assess environmental exposures or residents living in polluted areas.

NIEHS Seeds Environmental Health

Partnerships To Address EJ Research Needs

� Need to respond to the disproportionate burden of

pollution across communities, impacts of multiple and

cumulative exposures, special concerns of susceptible

populations, i.e. children, immuno-compromised,

elderly.

� Scientists, community leaders agreed: work in

partnership to prioritize research needs, get data, assess

environmental exposures, test interventions to influence

public policy and involve community in informing the

research agenda.

Issue of EHP, guest edited by WE

ACT, published April, 2002

Fostering CommunityFostering Community--Academic Academic

PartnershipPartnership�� The partnership between WE ACT and the NIEHS The partnership between WE ACT and the NIEHS

Center at Columbia and the Columbia ChildrenCenter at Columbia and the Columbia Children’’s s Center for Environmental Health began in the mid Center for Environmental Health began in the mid 90s with two goals:90s with two goals:

(1) studying the relationship between community(1) studying the relationship between community--level level environmental exposures and environmental health environmental exposures and environmental health outcomes andoutcomes and

�� (2) translating those findings into policy changes that (2) translating those findings into policy changes that create equity in environmental decision making and create equity in environmental decision making and environmental protection.environmental protection.

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY--BASEDBASED

PARTICIPATORY RESEARCHPARTICIPATORY RESEARCH

� Research findings communicated to broader community—so they can effect needed changes in environmental and health policy to improve existing conditions.

� CBPR seeks to build capacity and resources in communities, and to ensure that government agencies and academic institutions better understand and incorporate community concerns into theirresearch agendas.

� Collaborative, co-learning process that stresses systems development, community capacity building, and balancing research and action (Israel et al, 1998) CBPR has achieved particular prominence in the U.S. in the field of environmental health

Achievements: Building

Community Capacity

� Trained 200 residents in Environmental Health Leadership trainings

� Community-driven research on air pollution:Diesel Exhaust Exposure Among Adolescents In West Harlem(PI: Dr. Northridge)

� Airborne Concentrations of PM2.5 and Diesel Exhaust Particles On Harlem Sidewalks (PI: Dr. Kinney)

� WE ACT youth trained as field technicians

Environmental Health Environmental Health

Leadership Leadership GraduatesGraduates

Primer for Primer for Human Genetics, Environment & Human Genetics, Environment &

Communities of Color: Ethical and Social Communities of Color: Ethical and Social

ImplicationsImplications, compiled by WE ACT, compiled by WE ACT

Columbia Children’s Environmental Columbia Children’s Environmental

Health Center FindingsHealth Center Findings

Mothers and Newborns Study: 720 pairs living in Harlem Mothers and Newborns Study: 720 pairs living in Harlem and the South Bronx over 8 years.and the South Bronx over 8 years.

�� High prenatal exposure to certain High prenatal exposure to certain PAHsPAHs ( found in ( found in diesel exhaust) increase likelihood of children’s diesel exhaust) increase likelihood of children’s allergic response to cockroach, mouse and dust mite allergic response to cockroach, mouse and dust mite allergens as measured by known predictor (allergens as measured by known predictor (IgEIgE) at 2 ) at 2 years of age.years of age.

�� 4% babies born with DNA damage from 4% babies born with DNA damage from PAHsPAHs which which can increase cancer risk.can increase cancer risk.

Study Shows Prenatal Exposure To Study Shows Prenatal Exposure To

Pollutants Has Effects On NewbornsPollutants Has Effects On Newborns

�� Prenatal exposure to Prenatal exposure to PAHsPAHs alters structure of alters structure of babies’ chromosomes. 1babies’ chromosomes. 1stst study to show that study to show that environmental exposures during pregnancy to environmental exposures during pregnancy to such pollutants can cause increase in such pollutants can cause increase in abnormalities of fetal tissues.abnormalities of fetal tissues.

�� Prenatal exposure to 2 household pesticides Prenatal exposure to 2 household pesticides transferred readily to fetus, reduced birth transferred readily to fetus, reduced birth weight by 6.6oz.weight by 6.6oz.

WE ACT Works To Translate WE ACT Works To Translate

Findings To PolicyFindings To Policy

�� Prenatal combined exposure to air toxics from diesel Prenatal combined exposure to air toxics from diesel exhaust and second hand smoke is more detrimental exhaust and second hand smoke is more detrimental to fetus than either exposure alone and resulted in to fetus than either exposure alone and resulted in reduced birth weight and head circumference, both of reduced birth weight and head circumference, both of which are linked to health and learning problems in which are linked to health and learning problems in childhood.childhood.

�� Government regulation has immediate positive effects Government regulation has immediate positive effects for children’s health. 1for children’s health. 1stst study to show benefits from study to show benefits from 20002000--2001 EPA ban on home use of 2001 EPA ban on home use of diazinondiazinon and and chloropyrifoschloropyrifos (pesticides).(pesticides).

Press conference launching

“Breathe At Your Own Risk”

5 of 6 Diesel Bus Depots Located 5 of 6 Diesel Bus Depots Located

Above 96Above 96thth Street Street

�� Campaign drew attention to factors such as Campaign drew attention to factors such as

zoning and cost of land zoning and cost of land –– frequently cited by frequently cited by

the MTA to justify the location of 1/3 of the the MTA to justify the location of 1/3 of the

city’s bus fleet being housed in Northern city’s bus fleet being housed in Northern

Manhattan neighborhoods that experience Manhattan neighborhoods that experience

asthma at 3 to 5 times the rates of other asthma at 3 to 5 times the rates of other

Manhattan neighborhoods.Manhattan neighborhoods.

Center Findings Achieve Center Findings Achieve

Legislative Aims on DieselLegislative Aims on Diesel�� 1)1) The Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2006. The Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2006.

A.11340 (A.11340 (GrannisGrannis et al) / S.8185 (et al) / S.8185 (MarcellinoMarcellino et al)et al)——This bill, which was signed into law, will reduce the This bill, which was signed into law, will reduce the publicpublic’’s exposure to diesel,by requiring all NYS s exposure to diesel,by requiring all NYS owned heavy duty vehicles working on state owned heavy duty vehicles working on state contracts to use the best retrofit technology.contracts to use the best retrofit technology.

�� Local Law 77 requires use of ultra low Local Law 77 requires use of ultra low sulphursulphur diesel diesel and best available technology for nonand best available technology for non--road vehicles road vehicles in city construction.in city construction.

�� Also there is a new state mandate for NYC to adopt Also there is a new state mandate for NYC to adopt best available technology for pollution control on best available technology for pollution control on school buses.school buses.

KelloggKellogg--Funded Case StudyFunded Case Study

�� “Conversion of NYC’s bus fleet to clean “Conversion of NYC’s bus fleet to clean

diesel and installation by the EPA of diesel and installation by the EPA of

permanent air monitors in Harlem and other permanent air monitors in Harlem and other

hot spots were among outcomes for which the hot spots were among outcomes for which the

partnership’s research and policy work was partnership’s research and policy work was

given substantial credit.”given substantial credit.”

Residents Lives, Health, Behavior Shaped By Residents Lives, Health, Behavior Shaped By

Exposure To The Built EnvironmentExposure To The Built Environment

�� Urban sites linked to the natural world: use of water, Urban sites linked to the natural world: use of water, energy to effects on clean air, rivers, and wildlife. energy to effects on clean air, rivers, and wildlife.

�� Studies link the built environment and people’s Studies link the built environment and people’s health. Residents in densely populated urban areas health. Residents in densely populated urban areas face range of indoor / outdoor environmental risks.face range of indoor / outdoor environmental risks.

�� Building characteristics, landBuilding characteristics, land--use patterns, use patterns, transportation choices, urban design decisions present transportation choices, urban design decisions present opportunities and barriers to minimizing these risks. opportunities and barriers to minimizing these risks.

�� Air pollution, outdoor recreation, heatAir pollution, outdoor recreation, heat--island effect, island effect, climate change climate change –– all and more are influenced by what all and more are influenced by what is built and how.is built and how.

Educating Communities and Developers: Educating Communities and Developers: Guide To Healthy, Sustainable Urban Development Guide To Healthy, Sustainable Urban Development ––

A View From HarlemA View From Harlem

Harlem faces a clear challenge: Harlem faces a clear challenge:

�� Will the significant investment Will the significant investment

in the 125in the 125thth St. corridor (over St. corridor (over

$829 million in loans to $829 million in loans to

businesses via the businesses via the

Empowerment Zone) help solve Empowerment Zone) help solve

the neighborhood’s health and the neighborhood’s health and

environmental problems, or environmental problems, or

help exacerbate them?help exacerbate them?

Urban Investment Can Spark Environmental Urban Investment Can Spark Environmental

Improvement by Responding Creatively To Local, Improvement by Responding Creatively To Local,

Regional, Global Environmental ConditionsRegional, Global Environmental Conditions

�� The current cycle of renewed investment in cities follows The current cycle of renewed investment in cities follows years of abandonment fueled by federal housing, years of abandonment fueled by federal housing, transportation, segregation, and economic policies that transportation, segregation, and economic policies that encouraged growth of suburbs and left urban areas riddled encouraged growth of suburbs and left urban areas riddled with vacant lots; contaminated , abandoned industrial sites; with vacant lots; contaminated , abandoned industrial sites; deteriorating housing, noxious land uses, and pollution.deteriorating housing, noxious land uses, and pollution.

�� Zoning and land use procedures do not protect public health, Zoning and land use procedures do not protect public health, community character, and quality of life. Instead, zoning was community character, and quality of life. Instead, zoning was created to aggregate land uses, especially noxious ones. Those created to aggregate land uses, especially noxious ones. Those uses tend to locate where there is cheaper land in communities uses tend to locate where there is cheaper land in communities of color and low income, and zoning perpetuates the inequity.of color and low income, and zoning perpetuates the inequity.

Greening An Urban Community Greening An Urban Community

Thru CommunityThru Community--Based PlanningBased Planning�� Development planning should include the needs of the Development planning should include the needs of the

community and the environment early in the process. community and the environment early in the process.

�� Environmental Racism has resulted in the exclusion of people Environmental Racism has resulted in the exclusion of people of color and low income from decision making processes, and of color and low income from decision making processes, and advisory bodies that take positions regarding our communities.advisory bodies that take positions regarding our communities.

�� WE ACT works to develop community planning processes, WE ACT works to develop community planning processes, trainings and resources that empower residents to participate intrainings and resources that empower residents to participate indecision making that affects community sustainability.decision making that affects community sustainability.

�� Development in Harlem's 125th Street corridor can bring the Development in Harlem's 125th Street corridor can bring the community healthy air, clean and efficient transportation, community healthy air, clean and efficient transportation, pedestrianpedestrian--safe streets, parks and trees, and more efficient use safe streets, parks and trees, and more efficient use of resources. of resources.

Building Green Makes Good SenseBuilding Green Makes Good Sense

�� Owners, developers, builders and tenants receive Owners, developers, builders and tenants receive tangible benefits like energy savings from lower tangible benefits like energy savings from lower heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting costs, lower heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting costs, lower maintenance effort and costs, reduced water usage. maintenance effort and costs, reduced water usage.

�� Benefits: higher worker productivity with lower Benefits: higher worker productivity with lower absenteeism and turnover.absenteeism and turnover.

�� Improved health, greater sense of wellImproved health, greater sense of well--being, being, reduced neighborhood noise and light pollution, and reduced neighborhood noise and light pollution, and improved behavior in institutional settings. improved behavior in institutional settings.

WE ACT EJ Center of NYWE ACT EJ Center of NY——

Green Building In Planning StageGreen Building In Planning Stage

�� Townhouse in Hamilton Heights Historic District to Townhouse in Hamilton Heights Historic District to be renovated into WE ACT EJ Center of NY. The 6be renovated into WE ACT EJ Center of NY. The 6--floor, 7,100 sq.ft. building will achieve a floor, 7,100 sq.ft. building will achieve a LEEDsLEEDs gold gold rating.rating.

�� Center will showcase environmentally sustainable Center will showcase environmentally sustainable design techniques, products, materials that can be design techniques, products, materials that can be replicated by other homes, workplaces.replicated by other homes, workplaces.

�� Space dedicated to community training, youth Space dedicated to community training, youth leadership development, strategic collaboration for leadership development, strategic collaboration for movement building and collaboration.movement building and collaboration.

Broader Social Benefits: Reducing Broader Social Benefits: Reducing

Our Carbon FootprintOur Carbon Footprint

�� Smaller streams of solid waste and water.Smaller streams of solid waste and water.

�� Reduce rising heat levels from climate change which Reduce rising heat levels from climate change which discourages outdoor exercise and brings more smog, discourages outdoor exercise and brings more smog, an additional respiratory health threat.an additional respiratory health threat.

�� Lower use of fossil fuels and accompanying Lower use of fossil fuels and accompanying production of global warming gases.production of global warming gases.

�� Reduced air, water and ground pollution, and Reduced air, water and ground pollution, and preservation of biodiversity.preservation of biodiversity.

Developing Access To The Developing Access To The

Waterfront: Waterfront: Harlem On The RiverHarlem On The River

WE ACT Coordinates Community WE ACT Coordinates Community

Visioning Process For WaterfrontVisioning Process For Waterfront

�� In partnership with Community Board 9, WE In partnership with Community Board 9, WE

ACT got the city to hold off on awarding a 30ACT got the city to hold off on awarding a 30--

story hotel on Harlem’s waterfront until the story hotel on Harlem’s waterfront until the

community visioning plan was complete.community visioning plan was complete.

�� Two years of educating Two years of educating electedselecteds and and

community mobilization resulted in the city community mobilization resulted in the city

agreeing to build the communityagreeing to build the community--identified identified

waterfront park which will open late Spring.waterfront park which will open late Spring.

Created Harlem Waterfront CouncilCreated Harlem Waterfront Council

Developing Stewardship For The ParkDeveloping Stewardship For The Park

�� WE ACT has developed and incubating a new 501 WE ACT has developed and incubating a new 501

©(3) organization to develop stewards for the park, ©(3) organization to develop stewards for the park,

raise funds where needed and develop programming raise funds where needed and develop programming

to ensure community benefit from a park located to ensure community benefit from a park located

along the Hudson River.along the Hudson River.

�� Board is composed of 15 communityBoard is composed of 15 community--based based

organizations.organizations.

Lion’s Share, Fair Share Lion’s Share, Fair Share Campaign Campaign Victory Leads To CommunityVictory Leads To Community--Led Redevelopment Led Redevelopment

of Former Marine Transfer Station (MTS)of Former Marine Transfer Station (MTS)

�� WE ACT organized the 40WE ACT organized the 40--

group Northern Manhattan EJ group Northern Manhattan EJ

Coalition to advocate for a Coalition to advocate for a

new city solid waste plan that new city solid waste plan that

is equitable.is equitable.

�� City agrees to allow WE ACT City agrees to allow WE ACT

to coordinate a community to coordinate a community

visioning process for the MTS visioning process for the MTS

and offers revenue sources for and offers revenue sources for

the rebuild.the rebuild.

Columbia University Grabs 5 Columbia University Grabs 5

Million Sq. Ft. of West HarlemMillion Sq. Ft. of West Harlem

Columbia University’s 30Columbia University’s 30--year Expansion: year Expansion: Mobilizing, Negotiating West Harlem’s FutureMobilizing, Negotiating West Harlem’s Future

�� 7 acres of academic, student housing, bioresearch facilities.7 acres of academic, student housing, bioresearch facilities.

�� Eminent domain to usurp 1,800 jobs, 120 household units.Eminent domain to usurp 1,800 jobs, 120 household units.

�� Zoning change underway from manufacturing to mixed use.Zoning change underway from manufacturing to mixed use.

�� SixSix--month public review of hearings started.month public review of hearings started.

�� WE ACT holds Environmental Seat on West Harlem LDC, WE ACT holds Environmental Seat on West Harlem LDC, formed to develop, negotiate Community Benefits Agreement.formed to develop, negotiate Community Benefits Agreement.

�� WE ACT providing leadership, organizing, and resources.WE ACT providing leadership, organizing, and resources.

�� WE ACT assessed EIS and trained residents to testify on WE ACT assessed EIS and trained residents to testify on relevant issues, and pursuing litigation strategies.relevant issues, and pursuing litigation strategies.

Go GreenGo Green East Harlem Initiative: East Harlem Initiative:

Collaborative CommunityCollaborative Community--Based EffortBased Effort

�� Goal is to create healthy, vital East Harlem:Goal is to create healthy, vital East Harlem:

�� Break pattern of environmental injustice. Break pattern of environmental injustice.

�� Identify community’s unique challenges.Identify community’s unique challenges.

�� Support targeted agenda focused on 6 areas:Support targeted agenda focused on 6 areas:

(1)(1) Public health &Asthma Public health &Asthma (2)(2) Parks & Open Parks & Open

Space Space (3)(3) Sustainable Business Sustainable Business (4)(4) Farmers Farmers

Markets & Healthy Eating Markets & Healthy Eating (5)(5) Green Building Green Building

(6)(6) TransportationTransportation

Go Green Go Green –– For Sustainable Growth For Sustainable Growth

––Leveraging Collective ResourcesLeveraging Collective Resources

�� 4848--member multimember multi--sector steering committee sector steering committee seeks improvements thru neighborhood seeks improvements thru neighborhood partnerships and programs, legislative change, partnerships and programs, legislative change, policy reform.policy reform.

�� WE ACT is member of steering committee and WE ACT is member of steering committee and coco--chairs Parks / Open Space committee, and chairs Parks / Open Space committee, and member of Transportation and Green Building member of Transportation and Green Building working groups.working groups.

Campaign For NY’s Future: Campaign For NY’s Future: PlanYCPlanYC::Ensuring Implementation of Mayor’s Sustainability PlanEnsuring Implementation of Mayor’s Sustainability Plan

�� Two EJ groups ( Two EJ groups ( WE ACT and UPROSEWE ACT and UPROSE) on mayor’s 18) on mayor’s 18--

member Sustainability Advisory Board. member Sustainability Advisory Board.

�� Campaign has 80 groups promoting the plan to the public, Campaign has 80 groups promoting the plan to the public,

media, and elected officials.media, and elected officials.

Goal is to address 3 projectionsGoal is to address 3 projections::

1.1. NYC will get bigger by 1 million by 2030. NYC will get bigger by 1 million by 2030.

2.2. Infrastructure will age (water tunnels, energy grid). Infrastructure will age (water tunnels, energy grid).

3.3. The environment will be at risk: air quality, climate change, The environment will be at risk: air quality, climate change,

rising sea levels, hotter temperatures.rising sea levels, hotter temperatures.

10 Goals For Creating Sustainable 10 Goals For Creating Sustainable

City Over Next 25 Years: City Over Next 25 Years: 20302030

1.1. Increase affordable, sustainable housing units.Increase affordable, sustainable housing units.

2.2. Add transit capacity to improve travel times.Add transit capacity to improve travel times.

3.3. Ensure all within 10Ensure all within 10--minute walk of a park.minute walk of a park.

4.4. Ensure longEnsure long--term reliability of water network.term reliability of water network.

5.5. Reach Reach good repairgood repair on roads, subways, rails.on roads, subways, rails.

6.6. Provide cleaner, more reliable power by upgrading energy Provide cleaner, more reliable power by upgrading energy

infrastructure. infrastructure.

7.7. Cut global warming emissions by + 30 % .Cut global warming emissions by + 30 % .

8.8. Achieve cleanest air of any big city in U.S.Achieve cleanest air of any big city in U.S.

9.9. Clean up all contaminated land (Clean up all contaminated land (brownfieldsbrownfields sites)sites)

10.10. Open 90% of waterways for recreation by preservation and Open 90% of waterways for recreation by preservation and

reducing water pollution.reducing water pollution.

Mayor Has 2 Years To Begin Over Mayor Has 2 Years To Begin Over

120 Initiatives By End Of Term120 Initiatives By End Of Term

WE ACT has short / longWE ACT has short / long--term scope of work:term scope of work:�� Build grassroots base of support / momentum for understanding anBuild grassroots base of support / momentum for understanding and d

implementation of initiatives.implementation of initiatives.

�� Mobilize residents to educate city / state Mobilize residents to educate city / state electedselecteds and media.and media.

�� Conduct media campaign to mainstream / alternative press.Conduct media campaign to mainstream / alternative press.

�� Assess Assess PlanYCPlanYC on incentives / tax credits beneficial to EJ on incentives / tax credits beneficial to EJ communities on green buildings, energy conservation, building communities on green buildings, energy conservation, building retrofits that keep housing affordable.retrofits that keep housing affordable.

�� Ensure educated base of EJ support to hold next administration Ensure educated base of EJ support to hold next administration accountable.accountable.

�� Develop study with Earth Institute to assess scenarios that coulDevelop study with Earth Institute to assess scenarios that could d impact “border communities” regarding congestion pricing plan.impact “border communities” regarding congestion pricing plan.