Pursuing Environmental Justice: Obstacles and Opportunities - Lessons from the Field

Abstract

The pursuit of environmental justice has not moved much beyond the rhetorical sphere, although the consistent efforts of communities have resulted in some hopeful signs from government leadership. Thirty years after environmental justice became a rallying cry, for example, there is still no regulation that accounts for cumulative air pollution at a neighborhood level. Government at all levels must implement ideas such as ending the grandfathering of new major sources and eliminating emission credits in highly polluted areas. The federal government must also initiate rulemaking to address nuisances. In addition to government action, citizens must organize to demand government action to address cumulative pollution.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Environmental Litigation, Clean Air Act, Cumulative Pollution, Nuisance, Odor