Division/Committee: [ENVR: Division of Environmental Chemistry]

This symposium will explore the growing need for the chemistry and chemical engineering enterprises to adopt green chemistry and green engineering principles and practices through the lens of environmental justice. The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines Environmental Justice 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 . . .achieved when everyone enjoys: (1) The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and (2) Equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work. This symposium will engage a multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary discourse of speakers and participants focused on a re-evaluation of our business-as-usual practices through the lens of environmental justice: community groups and organizations, education (especially project-based and/or civic learning with environmental justice communities); careers at the intersection of green chemistry and environmental justice; sustainable chemistry technologies; sustainable engineering; connections to the UN Sustainable Development Goals; climate justice; policy statements; and industrial practices. The symposium will include an open discussion on Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results for the critical role that environmental justice will play in the chemistry and chemical engineering enterprises because it provides a framework to address global environmental and human health impacts that continue to disproportionately burden communities of color, vulnerable and low-income populations.

Dr. Edward Brush

Professor of Chemistry, Bridgewater State University

Appearances