Strengthening and Advancing Environmental Justice Sciences Program Science Masters

Dr. Peter A. Sam School of Technology North Carolina A & T University

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Explore. Discover. Become.

Mission of EJS Human Resource Capacity/Capital Development for the Practicing Practitioners through Professional Science Masters (PSM) Degree and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Graduate Degree and Research Program

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Evolution of Environmental Justice Sciences

1. In 1994, President William Jefferson Clinton signed the Executive Order 12898 2. Provided specific directives for the Federal Agencies to address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. 3. Directs Federal Agencies to make environmental justice part of its mission
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Evolution of Environmental Justice Sciences

4. Provide protection from environmental and health hazards, 5. Equal access to the Federal decision-making process and; 6. a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

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Some Environmental Justice Sciences Concerns

Pass a National Environmental Justice Act Codifying the Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898; Legislative Fix for Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that was gutted by the 2001 Alexander v. Sandoval U.S. Supreme Court decision that requires intent, rather than disparate impact, to prove discrimination; Require Assessments of Cumulative Pollution Burdens in Facility Permitting;

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Environmental Justice Sciences MultiDisciplinary Pillars

Public health Scientist, Scientists, Engineers, Environmental Scientist, Social Epidemiologists, Medical Anthropologists, Geographers, Others: city land use and community planners, biostatisticians, population health scientists, toxicologists, social scientists, policy analysts, community experts and civil society and faith organizations with mission focus on mediaspecific pollution, health and environmental disparities, socioeconomic disparities, lawyers, psycho-sociologists, politicians and bureaucrats.
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Developing Environmental Justice Sciences

The Theory Scientific, Public Health, Social and Human Rights EJ Scholarship & Research Sound Proven Scientific and Technical Research Technology Application Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

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Principles of Environmental Justice Sciences (EJS): Using Science & Data to Formulate Decision- Making
Emphasizes how science can help us find solutions for important environmental issues creatively to avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and negative environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations and describing every possible related dilemma or other multi-disciplinary field of study

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Principles of Environmental Justice Sciences

EJS comprises a science and interdisciplinary core of knowledge set that births positive synergies to environmental sciences, waste management, social, health, economic, engineering, urban and city planning, governments, civil society entities, public policies, and political behavior.

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Concepts and Application Development

The Concept: practical training to practicing and graduate students through Real EJ Case Mgmt Projects, Research, Technology Development, Inter-Disciplinary Courses/Training, Internship and R & D in a Laboratory Environment that requires understanding of scientific concepts of health, environmental management and toxicology. A one-year PHA option provides management skills necessary in Public Health Administration.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Concepts and Application Development

Focus on several questions that must be addressed in the development of a Professional Science Masters (PSM) Degree and Science in addition to Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Graduate and Research Program.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Concepts and Application Development

The working modalities seeks to address several questions and critical gaps that must be answered before developing the optimal model on new programs, curricula, and internship opportunities and by articulating the need for, and value of, the Environmental Justice universe and the environmental justice community stakeholders at large.

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How Did We Get Here: Concepts and Application Development

The Approach: using semi-structured interviews, needs assessment, focus groups, and survey to develop the curriculum and research program structure.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Survey Results
NCAT Rapid Survey Preliminary analysis of interviews and rapid survey data has shown that a Graduate Degree Program PSM and STEM approach will create a anecdotal beneficial development for an effective Environmental Justice Professional Human and Resource Capacity and enhancing an effective and efficient Environmental Justice optimal program delivery and professional practice.

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Essential Elements of Survey Questionnaires

Scoping - Case Study of EJ Sites = 5 Federal Government Agencies Staff Interviews and Survey State and Municipal Government Agencies Staff Interviews and Survey Non-Governmental Organizations Staff Interviews and Survey Impacts Areas Analysis = Public Health, Education, Environment and Safety Civil Rights Mitigation Measures Public Involvement Interagency Coordination Documentation Legal Framework = Statutory Regulatory Requirements
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Professional EJS Development

Quantitative & Qualitative Environmental Justice Methods & Techniques Coastal Management / Studies Ecology Environmental Leadership Environmental Economics Economics & Law Environmental / Ecological Design Environmental Education Environmental Engineering
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Professional EJS Development

Environmental Policy Environmental Law Environmental Impact Assessment /Environmental Impact Studies Environmental Geopolitics Emergency Response Management Transportation Planning & Environment Regional and National Environmental Politics Regional and Global Social Environmental Issues Forestry/Agricultural Science
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Professional EJS Development

Geospatial Techniques in Environmental Studies /Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Geology/Geosciences Health Policy Biological Sciences in Public Health Waste Management (Air, Water and Land) Wildlife Ecology / Studies Atmospheric Chemistry Environmental Remediation/Environmental Chemistry Principles of Smart Growth/Urban Sprawl
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Professional EJS Development

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Core Components
Democracy and Human Rights EJS uses both humanistic and scientific perspectives and skills to examine the fair treatment and disproportionate burden of the negative human health and environmental impacts of pollution or other environmental hazard. Critical aspects of EJS ensure that minority and low-income communities have access to public information relating to human health and environmental planning, regulations and enforcement.

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Core Components
Political Science Component: examines and provides meaningful involvement of all subset of a civil society (people) regardless of race, color, national origin, educational level, or income with respect to the community development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental, health, labor and all laws within a civil society. Thus, critical examination of public power, social transformations, the nature of democracies, elections, public opinion, constitutions, technology and society and public policy. .
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Impacts Component
Addressing the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts to the human and natural environment. Addressing whether there would be adverse and disproportionate effects on minority and low-income populations.

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Mitigation Component
Development of measures that would avoid, minimize, preserve, repair, rehabilitate, or restore the human and natural environment. Mitigation measures development specifically to address disproportionately high and adverse effects to minority and low-income communities. Ensure that the affected community receives its fair share of the benefits of the mitigation action

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Summary & Conclusion Way Forward

Joint Program with Duke University 5 Year Pilot MS, PhD and Research Program
20 Master Degree Candidates 15 Doctorate Degree Candidates 5 Civil Servants Candidates 5 NGO Candidates 2 International Candidates

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

CONTACT

Email: psam@ncat.edu Phone: 913-284-6615

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University