1. Defining Environmental Justice Communities
7/29/16 Meeting: Advance Materials
Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center
Allegheny County Health Department

2. Agenda Welcome and Introductions Goals and Purpose
Definitions: What does environmental justice mean in your community?
Nominate datasets for consideration
Voting
Report out

3. Ground Rules
•Be welcoming, considerate, and respectful
•Be an active listener
•No personal agendas
•Seek opportunities to contribute and collaborate

4. What is Environmental Justice (EJ)?
The US EPA defines Environmental Justice as “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.” 
Further, the “EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys:
the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and
equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”
Source:

5. Why are we are here today?
Goal is to:
Objectively choose Environmental Justice (EJ) indicators
Based on data that is:
Available
From a trusted source
Goal is not to:
Subjectively choose Environmental Justice (EJ) communities
Based on:
Personal interest
Perception

6. What are EJ indicators? Socioeconomic Environmental Neighborhood
Measureable characteristics
in one or more of
three domains:
Examples:
Poverty
Education
Examples:
Vacancy
Green space
Examples:
Illegal dump sites
Air quality

7. Why are EJ indicators important?
First step in the process of
objectively identifying EJ communities

8. Data user group discussions led by UCSUR
1st meeting was December 4, 2015
Attendees generated ideas on essential indicators
Data user group discussions led by UCSUR
Ensure that all have available data from trusted sources
Rank and combine indicators for total score
List of EJ indicators
Inform allocation of resources for community and government entities
May have planning and permitting implications for ACHD
List of EJ communities
Where are we in this process?
We are here

9. Environmental Indicators: Concepts to Consider
Other drivers of health
Proximity
Dispersion
Transformation
Exposure
Health Risk
How close is the community to a source of pollution?
How do emissions spread throughout the environment?
Do emissions transform into new substances once released?
How are people exposed to pollutants in the environment?
What’s the health risk from these emissions?
What other factors influence the health risk?
Indicator Complexity

10. What does Environmental Justice mean in your community?

11. Ideal Indicator(s) Accurate Representative Understood Holistic
Accessible
Efficient

12. Nominate a Dataset

13. Vote

14. Wrap-up