1. Environmental Justice A Workshop Presented by the National Office of Job Corps for the Civil Rights Center Annual Conference U.S. Department of Labor September 2011

2. Workshop Goals Describe Environmental Justice – definition, objectives, history, and related areas Describe Environmental Justice – definition, objectives, history, and related areas Key participants in the environmental justice arena Key participants in the environmental justice arena How does Job Corps impact environmental justice: Job Training, Community Involvement How does Job Corps impact environmental justice: Job Training, Community Involvement How are Youth being reached and affected through the advancement of environmental justice How are Youth being reached and affected through the advancement of environmental justice

3. What Is Environmental Justice? Environmental Justice 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. (Official Definition - EPA) The concept behind the term "environmental justice" is that all people – regardless of their race, color, nation or origin or income – are able to enjoy equally high levels of environmental protection. (California Energy Commission) A condition of environmental justice exists when environmental risks and hazards and investments and benefits are equally distributed with a lack of discrimination, whether direct or indirect, at any jurisdictional level; and when access to environmental investments, benefits, and natural resources are equally distributed; and when access to information, participation in decision making, and access to justice in environment- related matters are enjoyed by all. (Central and Eastern European Workshop on Environmental Justice [2003]) Environmental justice seeks to ensure that physical environments are healthy for all people and that environmental resources and challenges are fairly distributed. (Yours truly )

4. Environmental Justice Objectives Identify environmental risk/exposure areas Identify environmental risk/exposure areas Determine proximity of risk to populations that may be affected Determine proximity of risk to populations that may be affected Provide awareness, action, support, advocacy, monitoring, and follow-up for populations that may need assistance Provide awareness, action, support, advocacy, monitoring, and follow-up for populations that may need assistance

5. Environmental Justice History 1982 – Warren County, NC: PCB-contaminated waste landfill in Shocco Township 1982 – Warren County, NC: PCB-contaminated waste landfill in Shocco Township 1986 – Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act enacted 1986 – Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act enacted 1987 - Scientific studies released 1987 - Scientific studies released 1990 – Bullards Dumping in Dixie released 1990 – Bullards Dumping in Dixie released 1990 – University of Michigan conference; USEPA held first Workgroup in Environmental Equity 1990 – University of Michigan conference; USEPA held first Workgroup in Environmental Equity

6. Environmental Justice History (Continued) 1992: USEPA establishes Office of Environmental Equity 1992: USEPA establishes Office of Environmental Equity 1994: Executive Order 12898 signed by President Clinton 1994: Executive Order 12898 signed by President Clinton (1996): Erin Brockovich wins case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (1996): Erin Brockovich wins case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company 1990s: Environmental Justice organizations emerge: Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, Coalition Against Environmental Racism 1990s: Environmental Justice organizations emerge: Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, Coalition Against Environmental Racism

7. Key Participants in the Environmental Justice Arena Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Environmental Justice Foundation Environmental Justice Foundation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tulane University (Environmental Law Clinic) Tulane University (Environmental Law Clinic) Center for Health, Environment and Justice Center for Health, Environment and Justice Dr. Robert Bullard Dr. Robert Bullard Greenaction, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Friends of the Earth Greenaction, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Friends of the Earth

8. National Priority: Jobs Green economy Green economy Green skills demand Green skills demand - Existing industries are being updated to incorporate new practices and new materials - New industries are offering job opportunities for skilled workers

9. New Job Skills Example: Example: City of Miami Brownfield Remediation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPcBA1r sHPM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPcBA1r sHPM

10. Youth - Front and Center Job Corps has updated its career training programs and added new ones that help meet the needs of the green economy and employ young workers in good jobs in: Construction trades Construction trades Automotive Automotive Advanced Electrical – Smart Metering Advanced Electrical – Smart Metering Other areas Other areas

11. Job Corps Green Job Skills Training Presentation by Mr. Jeff Schmedeke National Office of Job Corps Division of Education Services

12. Job Corps Job Corps Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency Local School Systems and Universities Local School Systems and Universities Community Groups Community Groups Advocacy Groups Advocacy Groups Youth Programs and Outreach

13. School-Based Outreach Example: Example: Anacostia River Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Huf5etnIy0

14. Group Discussions Group breakouts (10-20 minutes) What ideas does your group have in terms of how to advance environmental justice and environmental awareness via new and existing programs?

15. Group Report-Outs Spokesperson for each group will report out on discussion ideas

16. Wrap-Up EJ awareness EJ awareness EJ objectives EJ objectives EJ opportunities for youth EJ opportunities for youth - job skills - community involvement - expanded academic interest - personal enrichment - greener environment - greener environment

17. Other Supporting Organizations EPA Office of Environmental Justice: www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/ www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/ EPA Office of Environmental Education: www.epa.gov/environmentaleducation/ Environmental Justice Foundation www.ejfoundation.org Center for Health, Environment and Justice www.chej.org

18. Presenters Contact Information National Office of Job Corps U.S. Department of Labor Andrea Kyle kyle.andrea@dol.gov Jeff Schmedeke schmedeke.jeff@dol.gov

19. Thank You There are no passengers on spaceship Earth – we are all crew. -Marshall McLuhan, 1964