EcoRes Forum

[Administrator]

Discussion Themes
Networking; Setting objectives; Ways & means; Taking action; Making change
_________________
<i>Thank you for being part of this forum! -- The EcoRes Forum Team</i>

[MLeyser]

<b>Moving forward: Now that we know, what can we do?</b>

Moving into the final days of this e-conference, it’s time to shift our gaze forward, based on what we’ve learned from each other on the principles of environmental and climate justice. Many thanks to all who have contributed to the discussion thus far.

Focusing first on the personal level, based on my readings, I’ve come up with the following action items:

1) <b>EDUCATE</b> myself on E/CJ topics, including related aspects like sustainable development;
2) <b>COMMIT</b> consciously to following a personal code of ethics that incorporate E/C justice in my own life and work (if I don’t “walk the talk”, how can I ask anyone else to?);
3) <b>ACT</b>, by doing what I can to raise awareness and to encourage others to do the same (for me, this has taken shape with the Forum); and
4) <b>REPEAT and WIDEN</b>: Network with others involved in this work, to determine what else can be done - and how my efforts and resources can best be put to use on behalf of E/CJ.

Of course, for many of us, this is just the beginning of what we *can do.

Moving to the broader scale, thinking in terms of how and what: In their pamphlet “Promoting EJ in Central and Eastern Europe,” The Center for Environmental Policy and Law, Budapest, suggests that effective policies, programs, and strategies for implementing environmental justice address the following, each where appropriate:

<i>“Preventing an inequitable distribution of environmental risks and hazards;
Assuring a fair distribution of environmental investments, benefits and natural resources;
Assuring and promoting access to information, participation in decision making, and legal remedies in environment-related matters;
Raising awareness of environmental justice;
Promoting equal enforcement without discrimination of all health and environmental laws and regulations;
Collecting data and conducting research on the health and environment of ethnic, minority, low income and other disadvantaged populations, as well as on the environmental impact of laws and policies on such groups; and
Providing basic environmental services to all human settlements.”</i>

<b>INDIVIDUALLY</b>: What could you add to this? How might the above be applied to your work and circles of influence? How might others do so? Were you familiar with the ideas of E/CJ before you joined this econf? Do you feel these issues are being adequately raised and addressed in your area? If not, how might this be improved? Do you think increased environmental education would contribute or distract from these efforts? Do you think your personal colleagues, friends, or family would be more involved with E/CJ issues if they knew more about them?

<b>ORGANIZATIONALLY</b>: Thinking of institutions and groups in your area working with E/CJ issues: What do you see as their greatest strengths? Their greatest weaknesses? How might these be improved, in your opinion? How might organizations working toward EJ better integrate their efforts and resources? If you like this idea and work with such a group, what resources and activities would you envision sharing?

If you’d like to get involved with EJ groups, in what capacity would you be interested in joining? What kind of activities do you think would be most effective, and in which would you be most interested in participating? What kind of partnerships and community building and advocacy do you see developing through these activities? Who should lead the charge? Who’s *willing to lead the charge?

<b><i>Tomorrow is Earth Day – are YOU ready to make a commitment?</i></b>
_________________
Mary Leyser, EcoRes Forum (www.eco-res.org)

[MLeyser]

A quick follow-up on Earth Day - if you didn't see the Forum's release, stop by: Earth Day 2008: The Power of One: This Time, Make It Personal!
_________________
Mary Leyser, EcoRes Forum (www.eco-res.org)