Thursday, October 16, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m EST
Presenters:
Description:
When decisions are made about sustainability or climate change strategies, or siting of polluters, the worst consequences often fall on poorer, working-class and minority communities that do not have much political clout. The Conservation Law Foundation in Boston is a non-profit organization of lawyers and others who work to try to level the playing field for these neighborhoods, defined in federal law as “environmental justice” communities. Their job is increasingly difficult during the current federal administration, where even the EPA has declared climate change as a fraud and penalizes any attempts at justice for minorities.
Three speakers will join our Environmental Reporting class by Zoom to talk about their work in these communities around Boston, and the successes or failures they are having. In addition, they can address the issue about how to communicate over climate change and environmental justice when both terms are rejected by the current federal government.
Tufte PPC, Room 914
Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Sustainable Development Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The United Nations created this goal to address inequalities existing in the world, explaining "Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind are integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Inequality within and among countries is a persistent cause for concern. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic appear to be reversing any positive trends of narrowing income inequality. The pandemic has also intensified structural and systemic discrimination. Emerging markets and developing economies are experiencing slow recoveries, widening disparities in income between countries. The number of refugees and migrant deaths worldwide reached the highest absolute number on record in 2021."
The United Nations describes the purpose of this goal as "making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Today, more than half the world’s population live in cities. By 2050, an estimated 7 out of 10 people will likely live in urban areas. Cities are drivers of economic growth and contribute more than 80 per cent of global GDP. However, they also account for more than 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. If well-planned and managed, urban development can be sustainable and can generate inclusive prosperity. The deep inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other cascading crises highlight the importance of sustainable urban development. Strengthening the preparedness and resilience of cities is crucial in responding to future crises."