Environmental Focus, With This Economy?

Environmental injustice, the disproportionate distribution of ecological burdens and access to environmental goods on low-income and minority communities, is a product of a society in which environmental issues as a whole have not been prioritized. Proponents of the environmental justice movement recognize that improving the condition of our environment on a large scale is a vital prerequisite to addressing the more specific concerns of environmental injustice. Environmentalists made up a significant portion of Barack Obama’s electorate, and the President elect has made a commitment to prioritizing environmental concerns in his agenda. How vigorously he pursues resolving environmental issues on a national scale will indicate how much will be achieved in the environmental justice movement in the upcoming years. The most prevalent problem that obstructs the path towards environmental independence is our weak economy. However, there are ways in which ecologically conscious policies can be promoted in a time of economic strife, and these policies should only foment the progression of environmental justice.
One way is to incorporate a new energy agenda into a plan for economic recovery, something that is being referred to as a “Green New Deal.” Creating millions of new green collar jobs would foment economic growth by providing opportunities for displaced workers, as well as promote the green movement of the nation. By focusing on introducing these jobs into low-income communities, the economic and environmental conditions of these burdened areas would begin to be alleviated.
Calculating all of the environmentally dangerous outputs of power production technologies provides insight into how much these plants are costing the environment and the economy. Placing a price on the amount of negative externalities produced by power production plants would encourage them to decrease their contribution of toxins and pollution into their nearby communities. Considering the fact that the majority of power plants are often placed into low-income and minority communities, discouraging these toxic institutions from continuing to recklessly poison their atmosphere would not only protect the economy, but also the residents suffering from toxic living conditions.
President elect Obama has much to tackle in his approaching administration, including one of the most imperative burdens of our time, the economic recession. However, with the right policies the “green” movement can complement the move towards economic strength. By incorporating environmentally oriented policies into plans for economic reconstruction, two of the most pressing issues of today can begin to be handled.

For Further Reading:
Revkin, Andre C. "Readers to Obama: 10 Earthly Ideas on a Budget." Retrieved from http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/readers-to-obama-10-earthly-ideas-on-a-budget/?scp=5&sq=obama%20epa%20choice&st=cse. 19 November 2008.