Discussion on Grassroots Environmental Justice

The localization for this podcast is California but focusing on environmental justice work
happening in Southern California and documenting instances where the locale expands to other
parts of California namely to the bay area and central valley. The lowest income neighborhoods
are highlighted for their higher levels of pollution and pollution sources.

The specific policy context I am analyzing is the current, anti environmental justice federal
government. The efforts to reduce responsibilities of polluters and following bloom of oil
industry takeover in California are analyzed from the perspective of civil participation. The
status of environmental policy is analyzed on a federal and state level finding state and
community led initiatives to be the most successful. Despite the significant political obstacles our
interviewee shares an empowering insight that our current social climate is rich with
organizations and coalitions of non-governmental and governmental bodies who work toward
environmental justice.

Non community stakeholders are established to be the local governmental bodies particularly
within the state level. In the podcast the importance of coalition building and alliance forming is
heavily stressed. Other influential stakeholders with which alliances are formed are
nongovernmental organizations. The strategies of coalitions for an opposing cause is analyzed
within the Trump Administration and fossil fuel industry who.

The population discussed are people of color and low income people communities who are
historically subjected to environmentally unjust situations. Environmental harm and injustice in
framed in particular regard to the community, development, and land use practices in public
lands.

The major conclusions from this podcast are civil participation, when organized can be an
influential catalyst for change. The discussion of past and ongoing civil action seats
environmental justice in the view of a community run operation that aims for true inclusion and
meaningful participation in the political process. The podcast aspires to link for the listener, the
influence of their decisions and participation, to the betterment of their community. A final
conclusion is that grassroots environmental justice organization works uplift community voices
against industry and governmental malfeasance
.
Policy recommendations deduced from the production of this podcast are the introduction of a
2500 foot buffer between oil extraction or refining operations, and homes, schools etc.
Furthermore based on the findings of this podcast, state and federally funded educational
initiatives on environmental justice and science are recommended. To eliminate information
gaps, incorporation of educational initiatives are suggested to be integrated into job training of
all fields. Greater requirements for community involvement is also recommended for state and
federal city planning and environmental justice initiatives. Lastly green development in the most
burdened communities and stringent emissions standards are greatly advised.