The Importance Of Environmental Justice

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Environmental justice has been up and coming recently. Typically affecting minorities, environmental justice has been an active movement not just for a more clean land and air, but also for the right to be represented at the decision-making table. Native Americans’ culture and way of life is centralized on the ecosystem. Nature and the surrounding land is their main provider of food, water, and sources used in living and everyday life. Besides pollution and bad placement of waste facilities, the main problem is there is not a complete understanding of what is important to the community.
In Environmental Justice in Indian Country by Stuart Harris and Barbara Harper, they discuss how Native Americans’ lifestyle and religious life relies heavily on natural resources. Environmental justice is important to such natives because these resources are key to their survival. Substantial changes are needed to improve living conditions, however the people responsible are not accustomed to creating a healthy lifestyle in a low class area. The EPA is much stronger than before, and wants to get involved because the Native Americans’ environment goes hand in hand with their economy. When cultural use, exposure, environmental goods, functions, and services are contaminated, a problem arises. The problem must be addressed as a direct effect on a combination of the environment and the Native Americans. Rather than taking into account how many Indians live in area, they should focus on the traditional and trust resources of each tribe. A plan must be created to teach the idea of risk ethics, sustainability, and human rights.
Stuart Harris and Barbara Harper, both authors of this article, used research and other references throughout ...

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...ch supplies. In the article Environmental Racism, Tribal Sovereignty and Nuclear Waste, Bullcreek, one of the Indians who lives on Utah reservation said, "The real issue is not the money. The real issue is who we are as Native Americans and what we believe in. If we accept these wastes, we're going to lose our tradition." The government should not intrude on the Native Americans’ traditions and culture by placing waste or hazardous facilities on or near their reservations. These government agencies and organizations do not know what their traditions are; however, in Environmental Justice in Indian Country, it is acknowledged that the first step to creating healthier living conditions is knowing what is relevant to the community. Assessments are regularly done without consulting the community about what is important and what risks or impacts need to be assessed.

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