Environmental Justice

What exactly is environmental justice you ask? Environmental justice can be defined as "The 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.” Environmental justice seeks equal protection from environmental and public health hazards for all people regardless of race, income, culture and social class. The article states that its not only an educator's have a responsibility not just to the children in our schools and classrooms, but also to the world as a whole. After reading the article, I feel that schools should in fact teach environmental justice. However, I do not think it should be stressed as much as the other subjects (math, history, English, etc.) Not only is it an educator's job to teach children about the environment, but also the parents job. Children have to learn that if something isn't done then the environment can be in great danger and might not be there forever.It doesn't hurt teaching a child about this topic. It is a prerequisite to children developing a connection to the natural world, and later, a commitment to defend that world. I think a great field trip would be a walk in the woods. This way the children can explore, learn, and play with the environment. I'm sure many would have a new look about it as a whole after the field trip.

Global warming is a huge concern in our society today, maybe if people are taught about this something can be done. For example, teaching environmental justice will teach children not to dump waste, eat healthy, go green, and cut down on pollution. Not only would you educate the child on this, but also the parents. Most children will go home and talk to their mom or dad about what they learned in school that day. Many parents in turn will listen and try to help them better understand it. I feel that if we start teaching it to children in school now, as time goes on more and more kids will learn about and the environment may see a change over time. Who knows, maybe it could be a start to a slow recovery of global warming.

Growing up in the Wakefield Public School Systems, I can remember going on walks through the woods and enjoying the scenery. However, at that time global warming was not that big of an issue. We were taught a little about the environment, but only when we went on these hikes/field trips. I felt that after these hikes many people had a new interest in the environment. I know that it made me appreciate it more. After the hikes, I cut way down on throwing wrappers on the ground. I know this may seem small, but imagine if every student did this. Do you know how much pollution would be cut down?




http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/23_04/edit234.shtml
http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/MultimediaPrograms/Environmental_Justice/ej_intro/index.asp
http://www.wondercliparts.com/holidays/environment_day/environment_day_graphics_02.gif