How to Incorporate Environmental Justice into Law A Priority Action of the Green Cincinnati Plan

Abstract

Record ID: 96

Program Affiliation: Capstone

Presentation Type: Podium

Abstract: Marginalized communities are usually subject to not only poor environmental health conditions, but members of these communities often forced to work in jobs with higher environmental and/or health hazards. This is true in Cincinnati as well, as environmental justice has become an increasingly important issue to address. As such, the City of Cincinnati's Green Cincinnati Plan(GCP) has been inquiring as to how other municipalities have turned environmental justice policy into law, and how successful these laws have been at resolving some of the problems. In trying to find an answer to this, multiple examples have been found around the nation, in well known municipalities such as Atlanta, and even at the national level through the EPA's Justice 40 initiative. These different policies have been shown to be effective to varying degrees, and several of the laws seem like either a good fit for Cincinnati as is or with a bit of modification to suit our city's specific needs and environment. This research and these laws are vital to creating an equal and equitable city for all to live in, something that Cincinnati and other cities strive for.