What is Environmental Justice? A Primer

Mount Pisgah Arboretum’s Commitment to Environmental Justice

Mount Pisgah Arboretum is committed to environmental justice in its educational mission and land stewardship. This commitment recognizes that we live in a time of environmental crisis and that the effects of this crisis have and continue to fall most heavily on vulnerable and marginalized citizens and communities. This means that environmental education and practice, the stewardship of arboretum land, and access to the healing benefits of being in nature must actively give voice to and work on behalf of our whole community. 

Approved by Arboretum Board on September 19th, 2022

A Closer Look at Environmental Justice

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency: Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.

Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies.

Meaningful involvement means:

  • People have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health;
  • The public’s contribution can influence the regulatory agency’s decision;
  • Community concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and
  • Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected

Click here for a brief video overview from Grist on EJ: “What Do Racism and Poverty Have to Do with Pollution and Climate Change?”

Further Resources

Overviews:

Environmental Education and EJ:

In-depth Readings:

Statements on Environmental and Social Justice from Other Arboretums and Gardens:

Resources focused on further information and/or policy activism: 

 

Prepared By Carl Bybee, Arboretum Board Member.