Environmental justice aims to address the disproportionate impacts of environmental burdens on people of color, poor people, native groups, women, and other disadvantaged communities. Environmental justice engages with a wide variety of issues; some examples include nuclear waste dumped on tribal lands, disproportionately higher rates of childhood asthma in black neighborhoods, the disequilibrium in the effects of climate change between developing and overdeveloped countries, and the disparity in the impact of natural disasters such as in New Orleans. These issues have received substantial attention recently, though the task of addressing the disparities themselves is often neglected.

Environmental Justice at Yale (EJAY) bridges the gap that exists right here at FES. We look to bring the face of environmental justice to all faculty, staff, and students in this school. We seek to make this group both a learning tool and a skill-building experience for participants. We do this through two avenues: 1) bringing speakers and other awareness-raising events to FES, and 2) creating opportunities for students to become involved with environmental justice communities here in New Haven. The latter includes both long-term and short-term volunteer opportunities that build upon the progress made in strengthening bonds between the Yale and New Haven communities and to continue our own awareness about environmental injustice that occurs right here in New Haven.

For more information, or to get involved, please contact Cindy Chang cindy.chang@yale.edu.