Environmental Justice in the 21st Century: Threats and Opportunities (Part 3)

When
October 15, 2018 6:00 pm — 7:30 pm
Where
Washington, DC (and webinar)

This program was co-sponsored by ELI, ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, and the Program on Environmental and Energy Law at American University Washington College of Law


The seminal Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States report was published by the United Church of Christ (UCC) thirty-one years ago. This report catalyzed the environmental justice movement by providing documented evidence of racial discrimination in toxic waste siting. Despite the UCC report’s impact, recent studies continue to highlight the disproportionate exposure of marginalized communities to environmental issues such as air pollution and climate change.

Building on the pivotal discussions in Parts 1 and 2 of this series, Part 3 featured a discussion led by the principal co-authors of the 1987 UCC report, Charles Lee and Vernice Miller-Travis, as well as leading professors Ezra Rosser and William Snape. Moderated by Kendra Brown, these knowledgeable experts explored the progress made and the current and future challenges facing environmental justice communities. It was a dynamic evening exploring the impact of the 1987 report, the role of students in facing current environmental justice challenges, and issue areas such as native sovereignty and fossil fuel impacts on environmental justice communities.

At the conclusion of the panel, a networking reception was held to further spark conversation and discussion of the key topics at the forefront of environmental justice.

Panelists:
Kendra Brown, Senior Director for Diversity, Inclusion and Affinity, Washington College of Law, American University (Moderator)
Charles Lee, Senior Policy Advisor for Environmental Justice, U.S. EPA, and principal author, Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States
Vernice Miller-Travis, Senior Consultant, Skeo Solutions, and Founder, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, co-author, Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States
Ezra Rosser, Professor of Law, Washington College of Law, American University
William J. Snape III, Professor of Law, Washington College of Law, American University

Materials:
ELI members
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