This page highlights some environmental justice activities that center of health and well-being.
Establishing Federal Frameworks
The federal government continues to create strategies and dedicate resources in pursuit of environmental justice, including
- The President’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27, 2021) that seeks to secure environmental justice and spur economic opportunity
- The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) supports research programs, community-engaged activities, and training and education programs to address the disparate health impacts of environmental hazards on disadvantaged communities and ensure environmental health equity.
- The EPA’s Environmental Justice Strategy 2020 that sets priorities and creates action plans to address environmental and public health issues and challenges confronting the nation’s minority, low-income, tribal and indigenous populations.
Protecting People from Environmental Hazards
Here are some environmental justice initiatives that help us better understand and overcome environmental barriers to achieving health equity. These activities include:
- Protecting the health of children where they learn and play (NIH)
- Reducing racial and ethnic asthma disparities (Interagency)
- Compiling and tracking data on environmental hazards and health effects (CDC)
- Researching how environmental factors affect children's health (NIH)
Promoting Participatory Practices
We work to promote equal access to the decision-making processes and economic opportunities related to building a healthy environment.
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights and helps ensure that all people can effectively participate in and benefit from federally funded programs and activities.
- The Environmental Career Worker Training Program creates jobs for people in underserved communities that advance environmental justice goals.