Did You Know?
In addition to hosting related events, the Office of Sustainability includes the听,听, and听听in our听sustainability planning.
A History of Pollution Along DC鈥檚 Anacostia River
(Documentary Short)
- (Story Map)
Lead Contamination in Flint, Michigan
听
Louisiana鈥檚 Cancer Alley
听(Podcast Included)
-
The Urban Heat Island Effect and Tree Canopies
听
Water Resources in Indigenous Communities
听
Recommended Books and Podcasts
Related Documentaries
In addition to the documentaries listed below, check out what鈥檚 currently streaming from the and AU鈥檚 Center for Environmental Filmmaking.
鈥淧rovides residents east of the Anacostia River access to the best-in-class facilities, programs and partnerships in arts and culture, economic opportunity, education, recreation, health and well-being.鈥
Develops community solar projects for economic empowerment.
Aims to center equity, justice, and inclusion in all projects and initiatives.
A nonprofit that helps people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights.
DC-based nonprofit that 鈥渃onnects communities of color to outdoor spaces while also building a coalition of diverse outdoor leaders.鈥澨
A grassroots nonprofit that aims to restore and beautify more than 500 acres of forest in DC鈥檚 Ward 8.
鈥淏uilding a stronger movement for climate and environmental justice in the District of Columbia.鈥
Educating yourself about environmental justice is an essential first step to addressing injustice in your own community. Once you understand the concept of environmental justice and how systematic听racism impacts the health and wellbeing of communities, consider: How can I view pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change听through the lens of environmental justice? How can I actively practice anti-racism in my own life?
In addition to hosting related events, the Office of Sustainability includes the听,听, and听听in our听sustainability planning.
Thoughts on the toolkit? Know of additional resources that should be included?
Social Sustainability
Sustainability is about more than energy efficiency or planting trees; it鈥檚 about making sure that all people today and in the future can thrive. As we plan and prepare for a changing climate, we must consider and incorporate the human and societal elements of sustainability into our work. Social sustainability encompasses topics such as human health, access to听resources, and environmental justice.
What is environmental justice?
is 鈥渢he fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.鈥
Communities of color and low-income communities experience disproportionate impacts of pollution and environmental degradation. For example, 68% of Black 猫咪社区apps live within 30 miles of coal fired power plants, putting them at higher risk for respiratory illnesses, asthma, and premature death. These systematic environmental injustices are often听referred听to as .
Similarly, while climate change impacts people globally, not everyone is affected in the same ways. Climate change, like pollution and environmental degradation, disproportionately impacts and , in addition to , , and .
How can I learn more? How can I get involved?
Utilize the toolkit below to learn more and share what you鈥檝e learned with others. We also encourage you to engage with听campus departments and organizations who host events and provide resources related to equity and social justice.听