Closing notes from the EPA EJ Conference

More details later [this post will be expanded], brief recap from the EPA Environmental Justice conference's recap as of 27 August 2011:

The EPA conference has adjourned with discussion about the efficacy/inefficacy of human and civil rights legal entities--US, how its applicability is unclear for tribal nations, and recommendations to pursue international human rights jurisdiction as an alternative route since current US environmental health protections are insufficient.

The EPA is currently backlogged with 40 complaints

Title VI (on human/civil rights) has been deemed an outstanding potential resource, but is currently ineffective due to lack of enforcement/ enforcement capacity and conflicting systems between the US EPA and US Department of Justice.

Title VII (on civil rights to employment*) has also been deemed a potentially powerful tool--when afflicted communities contribute to becoming the leadership of major companies and organizations, it follows that closer consideration for human rights and sensitivity to environmental quality will be given (stated by Rhode Island environmental lawyer Stephen Fishbach).

Proof of direct causation for harm is a common legal misconception for those suffering health issues from environmental problems (response from the US Gulf of Mexico Enbridge/BP spill fund continue to use direct causation as a way to deny current claims.

Recap on the conference, and next step/future recommendations were also shared--neat idea from Brazillian delegate: Inform consumers about the products they use with an Environmental Justice label.

Potential locations for the next EPA EJ conference? Coal belt Appalachia, First Nations Territory(/ies), First Nation Territory in coal belt Appalachia, North Carolina. Satellite/web/television broadcasting

As an aside, pictures from Thursday's Science Cafe are coming soon too, thank you to everyone who supported the event in their presence or their works unseen!

*I'll have to look at my notes again from the rush transcript of the panel session for more details when I have freer time.

Liveability, walkability, and public hearings that could make it happen sooner!

Have you ever thought "Gee, crossing Evergreen Road and Hubbard as a pedestrian can be mighty dangerous!  I wish I could safely walk
from the Main Campus to the Fairlane Centers..." after class ended and the shuttles stopped running?

 

The following public meetings are opportunities to make the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus more walkable (maybe even less liable!), and the city more livable (which also helps reduce regional vehicular emissions) are coming soon.  Also, ask Dr. Bazzi if the public hearings merit ESCI/ENST 385 seminar credit.

On climate change: A handful of resources and reflections

I've been relatively quiet about climate change activism for the past two years because there are so many moving parts involved with the issue, and it took time for me to get my head around what was going on.  Most everyone involved has good intentions, there are many perspectives, and understanding many of the solutions--not to mention knowing which ones are being considered or included can be a daunting task.  Furthermore, there are many groups working toward a similar goal, but I couldn't understand why they didn't work together.  I've finally seen, heard, and learned enough to offer some organizations seeking to coordinate efforts that you can take action with, and handful of quality resources for you to investigate as a supplement to the previous letter.

There are four sections below:

1. Courses+some comments on political efficacy
2. Cap and Trade in climate legislation and how it could improve
3. My take on Repower America
4. Climate change as an issue of sustainability

These draw from my experiences as a student, an attendee at many a conference, and various other ventures in the arena of climate change.  Clearly, it's my perspective, but I hope it serves to be a useful starting guide to you if you're about to dive in.

Good to know environmental hotlines

Found/knew some useful numbers and am starting to compile them here. Many of these are 24 hour (I won't say all as I haven't used all of them).  Sometimes you see something and wonder who to call (aside from the Ghostbusters), perhaps these might help.

Hopefully you won't have to use all of them, but I found the 211 fantastically useful and you might too.

Emergency (America)
911
Fire, police, ambulance, etc.


Basic needs:
211
"2-1-1 is the health and human service equivalent of 9-1-1 to give or get help spearheaded by United Way."

They can refer you to a huge network of community groups and non-profits.  From food banks, shelters, living assistance, the list goes on...

It's pretty great, I used it recently to ask about food banks for donating food and they said they'd be willing to link campus food services with various food banks and other services in the areas to take care of excess food (which would otherwise be thrown away).  Something about Geographic Information Systems services is also listed too, I'd be interested to find out what they have to offer for that.



Poison hotline ( American Association of Poison Control Centers http://www.aapcc.org/DNN/ ):
1-800-222-1222

Air Pollution
You have the right to breathe clean air.  Report all strong odors, dark smoke, excessive dust, and other suspected air pollution to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)
(313) 456-4700

Lead Poisoning Prevention
Preventing lead poisoning via information from CLEARCorps Detroit:
(313) 924-4000

[below pulled from Friends of the Rouge's web page]

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Illicit and Illegal discharges

Oakland County (248) 858-0931

Wayne County (888) 223-2363

Washtenaw County (734) 222-3880 

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (800) 292-4706

An illicit discharge is the introduction of polluting materials into a pipe that drains to surface water or the dumping of polluting material that can impact surface water. Examples found in the Rouge River watershed include toilets connected to storm sewers, laundry waste discharging to a drain, swimming pool backwash water discharging to a storm sewer or situations where polluting material can move over land to a storm sewer.

Illegal discharges may also take place, such as the one responsible for the large oil spill on the Rouge and Detroit Rivers in 2002. Careless and intentional acts of illicit and illegal dumping are not only expensive to remedy, but they can also have long term affects on the health of the river.

If you see an illicit or illegal discharge, please report it immediately.

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Let me know if there's anything else that should be here.

USGS Release: Contaminated House Dust Linked to Parking Lots with Coal Tar Sealant (1/12/2010 1:38:37 PM)

Hmm! Some of the black tar gunk that's used for sealing cracks in pavement turns out to be made from coal dust byproduct too. It also potentially contains carcinogenic particles:

"Coal-tar-based sealcoat—the black, shiny substance sprayed or painted on many parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds—has been linked to elevated concentrations of the contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in house dust."
...
"PAHs are an environmental health issue because several are probable human carcinogens and they are toxic to fish and other aquatic life."
...
"Two kinds of sealcoat products are widely used: coal-tar-emulsion based products and asphalt-emulsion based products. National use numbers are not available; however, previous research suggests that asphalt-based sealcoat is more commonly used on the West Coast, and coal-tar based sealcoat is more commonly used in the Midwest, the South, and on the East Coast."

--US Geological Survey
Here are my questions: