IMPACT UGA
  • About
    • Why IMPACT?
    • Sample Day
    • FAQs
  • Trips and Roundtables
    • 2019-2020 Trips
    • 2018-2019 Trips
  • Apply
  • Community Partners
    • Serving Athens
  • Contact
  • About
    • Why IMPACT?
    • Sample Day
    • FAQs
  • Trips and Roundtables
    • 2019-2020 Trips
    • 2018-2019 Trips
  • Apply
  • Community Partners
    • Serving Athens
  • Contact
Search

Environmental Justice

south florida 
Name: Jake Head 
How did I get involved in IMPACT?
  • I first got involved with IMPACT because I appreciated its emphasis on inclusivity, learning, and affordability. I really loved my first trip to New Orleans, and I learned even more on my second trip to Memphis. Both of these experiences have motivated my future career goals, and they have introduced me to a loving and hilarious group of people. I am super excited to get to lead a trip, especially one with a focus so dear to my heart.
Why am I interested in my trip focus? 
  • My first trip to New Orleans was also centered around environmental Justice. While in NOLA, I gained an appreciation and an understanding for how intersectional environmental issues are. We usually think of the environment as an issue in isolation, but my experience in Louisiana and my research for the South Florida trip has shown me that issues of class, race, and systemic discrimination are usually at the center of most environmental issues. I am very excited to explore this issue in such a beautiful part of our country. 
Picture
Contact info
he/him/his
jacob.head@uga.edu
678.313.1562

Picture

Contact Info: 
she/her/hers
 ekb57629@uga.edu
404-955-4069


Name: Emma Kate Beckwith
How did I get involved in IMPACT?
  • ​I became involved with IMPACT because of its efforts to combat voluntourism that we, as college students, sometimes fall into. Since these trips are built around and for service, we get to fully immerse ourselves into our service opportunity, rather than volunteering once on a trip to feel good about yourself or to post a picture on Instagram. Instead of taking advantage of a social justice issue, service educates and empowers us to make a true difference in our society. I believe that Impact is a great way to help open doors for students to let them see the vast opportunities available to make them great advocates for equity.
Why am I interested in my trip focus?
  • Environmental Justice and Ecofeminism are the two things that I am most ardent about. Both of my majors meet at the intersection of these two subjects and I plan to center my career focus around the two, post-college. I am always excited to share my passions with others and I hope to learn from each of you as well!

​

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

https://www.goldmanprize.org/blog/environmental-racism-in-america-an-overview-of-the-environmental-justice-movement-and-the-role-of-race-in-environmental-policies/
  1. Miami-Dade area is likely to suffer from an average of 134 days a year with temps above 100 degrees within the next two decades which would negatively impact many immigrants who work as laborers   
  2. Miami-dade county is surrounded by very fragile wetlands. These wetlands are extremely vital to the health and safety of South Floridians--they purify the drinking water for many of South Florida’s cities, and they serve as a habitat for many Native plant and animal species. Because of Miami’s large population, these wetlands are often in danger of pollution and degradation. 
  3. Florida has the nation’s third highest CO2 emissions rates, and among Florida cities, Miami residents are some of the most negatively impacted by poor air quality. This is an issue that disproportionately affects individuals of a lower socioeconomic class. People who walk for transportation, have labor-intensive outdoor jobs, or those experiencing homelessness in Miami are at risk for health problems caused by air pollution. 
  4. the EPA is currently working on an Everglades restoration project as part of its Florida Environmental Justice movement. The goal is to restore and rehabilitate the flora and fauna of the region in an effort to reshape a more sustainable region and economy. 
  5. Pahokee, Florida has a 56% Black & 29% Hispanic population. Citizens had to confront the sugar industry, which was polluting the nearby Lake Okeechobee and endangering drinking water, fish safety and property values. 
  6. South Florida is at high risk for hurricanes. These hurricanes disproportionately affect poor areas in Miami’s inner-city. Low-income families do not have the same access to shelters, money to cover expenses and damage, or ability to go without work for days due to extreme weather.
  7. University of Miami Environmental Justice Clinic: ​https://www.law.miami.edu/academics/clinics/environmental-justice-clinic

​
​

​​
TERMS TO KNOW:
  • Environmental Justice: The protection and inclusion of all individuals (regardless of race, class, age, citizenship status) when it comes to environmental issues and policies.
  • Exclusionary zoning: Urban zoning tendencies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
  • EPA: The environmental protection agency; government organization that enforces environmental regulations and seeks to protect “human and environmental health” (EPA website)
  • Everglades: One of the nation's largest natural wetlands. Home to thousands of native plant and animal species; completely vital to clean drinking water and protection against coastal erosion.
  • Environmental racism: Environmental policy that disproportionately affects communities of racial minorities. 
  • Fair Treatment: “Fair treatment, in regards to EJ, means, no person or group should bear a greater share of negative environmental impacts that result from environmental programs.”
  • Meaningful Involvement: “The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) suggestions for public involvement include: (1) Encourage public participation in all aspects of environmental decision making. (2) Encourage active community participation. (3) Institutionalize public participation. (4) Recognize community knowledge. (5) Utilize cross-cultural formats and exchanges.”
  • Disproportionate Impact: “Refers to communities of low income and/or color and in the presence of high-risk environmental hazards. Those communities in the presence of environmental and human health hazards are more at risk of developing chronic health problems or experiencing environmental racism due to their surroundings than other parts of the country.”


MORE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE In South Florida

ARTICLES:​

VIDEOS:

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/four-environmental-justice-champions-you-should-know
​
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/magazine/behind-the-cover-environmental-justice.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266556698_Assessing_the_Environmental_Justice_Implications_of_Flood_Hazards_in_Miami_Florida


​
​​
​

SOURCES:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-op-com-jones-south-florida-climate-crisis-ignored-20191030-4w35h6ki4fdzhba7vwy75cgfny-story.html%3foutputType=amp
https://www.miamidade.gov/environment/environmental-gis.asp
http://www.flnaacp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FL-Executive-Summary.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/everglades
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/08/climate-changed-racism-environment-south
https://www.marketplace.org/2017/09/28/hurricane-irma-brings-issues-poverty-miami-stark-relief/





​

https://www.ted.com/talks/majora_carter_greening_the_ghetto/transcript
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=30xLg2HHg8Q


​

Intersectional links: ​
​ttps://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/news/2016/04/25/136361/5-things-to-know-about-communities-of-color-and-environmental-justice/

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/08/climate-changed-racism-environment-south
​
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About
    • Why IMPACT?
    • Sample Day
    • FAQs
  • Trips and Roundtables
    • 2019-2020 Trips
    • 2018-2019 Trips
  • Apply
  • Community Partners
    • Serving Athens
  • Contact