Environmental Justice

Environmental problems – from toxic pollution to loss of biodiversity – affect all of us, but some people are likely to suffer greater impacts from environmental degradation. Low income housing and urban environments are often characterized by increased residential and occupational exposures to hazardous substances (such as lead and PCBs) and higher-than-average levels of air pollution (both indoors and outdoors). The burden this places on the disadvantaged is considerable: People in poverty suffer from higher rates of birth defects, infant mortality, cancer, asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Inadequate health care exacerbates the problem.

In working to solve today's most pressing environmental problems, Environmental Defense is committed to finding solutions that are equitable, environmentally sound and economically viable. By promoting the concept of environmental justice, we are working with local groups and citizen coalitions to create greener, more healthy communities.

Find Out More

	Environmental Justice Policy - A statement from the board of trustees on our commitment to environmental justice, in English and Español.
	Environmental Justice in Los Angeles: A Timeline - Discover the development of a movement for better protection of minority populations and poor communities. (En Español)
	Online Resources - Check out our guide to web resources for EJ groups, institutions and networks.
	View an annotated bibliography of environmental justice research materials, and resources for urban parks planning.
	Walking to the Park - Recommendations for the formation of an Urban Land Trust to serve the City of Los Angeles, prepared by The Urban Land Trust Task Force. (1 Mb pdf)
	Find our how Environmental Defense is striving to ensure greater protections from environmental health hazards (like toxic chemicals), and promoting improved policies to fight urban sprawl.

Environmental Justice Tools

	Environmental Sustainability Kit - This set of pollution prevention tools helps local leaders, residents and businesses work toward making their own communities more sustainable.
	Environmental Livability Index - Rates the performance of Dayton and Cleveland on a variety of issues, such as air and water quality, transportation, industrial pollution and lead poisoning, and instructs on how you can reproduce the Index for your own community.

Fact Sheets:

	Motor Vehicle Pollution and Public Health: Asthma and Other Respiratory Effects (161 Kb pdf)
	Motor Vehicle Air Pollution and Public Health: Selected Cancers (127 Kb pdf)
	Protecting Public Health from Ozone Air Pollution (138 Kb pdf)
	Air Quality Fact Sheet: Electricity Generation and Pollution (80 kb pdf)

Posted: 09-Jan-2006; Updated: 09-Jan-2006