Environmental+Injustice

**Activity One** The members of your team should brainstorm the following terms and issues:
 * Is a Clean Environment a Basic Human Right?[[image:animated_ecosymbol.gif]]** **(Based on a unit developed by Lisa Bachman)**
 * ** How would you feel if someone from your city came to your home and told you that they were going to build a nuclear power plant right next to your home? **
 * ** How would you feel if you had to live right next to a landfill where they dump garbage, among other things? **
 * ** In your opinion, who do you think makes these decisions as to where plants and landfills are to be placed within a community? **
 * ** Do you think that these plants and landfills can be dangerous to people? In what ways? **
 * 1) What is a "basic human right?"
 * 2) The group should come to a consensus on at least ten things that you believe are basic human rights.
 * 3) Who is responsible for providing these rights?
 * 4) Read the article,[| "Is Environmental Health a Basic Human Right?"]
 * 5) Take notes as needed.
 * 6) Complete the Student Worksheet.

**Activity Two Project**

You are a reporter for The Memphis WhistleBlower, a fairly new newspaper with a fast-growing circulation. Just recently, the newspaper has received several phone calls regarding a local company that is contaminating the air/soil/water/groundwater in a low-income area. Many of the families that reside within this area are complaining of the smell/taste of the water/frequent illnesses and are concerned as to whether this can be harmful to them as well as their children. Several angry residents have called the plant to complain about the facility; however, according to the residents, nothing has been done.
 * BACKGROUND**

You have been assigned to this story. Your job is to investigate the plant and its operations, what -- if any -- toxic chemicals are being released, how it's affecting the people in the surrounding areas, what the local government is doing to protect these people, collect pictures that illustrate the problem, and write an article reporting your findings.


 * TASK**

Your story will be your own invention. In order to create it, you must select at least one choice from the selections (1-6) below. Build your story around these choices. Find one article for each one of the choices that deals with the same topic. For example, your Google search could be "cancer rates in areas with industrial pollution." You also must find out what protections are given to people in these areas. Find out what EPA and/or OSHA standards govern these industries.

1. **Interview with residents of area.** You learn that a. many of the children have had frequent respiratory infections that required medical attention. b. cancer rates were higher than in surrounding areas. c. infant mortality rates were higher in this area than in surrounding areas. d. in general, people in the area had a greater incidence of all illnesses, requiring frequent emergency room visits.

2. **You discover the source of the pollution.** You learn that a. the culprit is a landfill that accepts hospital and industrial waste as well as residential waste. b. the culprit is a manufacturing facility that empties contaminated wastewater into open ponds. c. the culprit is a paper mill that discharges waste into the local waterway. d. the culprit is a steel mill that releases large amounts of soot into the air.

3. **Interview with plant officials.** You learn that a. the company has been cited by the EPA for air (or water or soil) pollution violations. b. the company has the required pollution controls, but they aren't working properly. c. the company is under investigation by OSHA and the EPA for reported violations.

4. **Interview with county mayor**. You learn that a. the mayor refuses to meet with residents of the affected area about the problem. b. the county officials have planned a town meeting for concerned residents and company officials. c. the company management donated a large amount of money to the mayor's re-election campaign.

5. **Telephone interview with EPA official.** You learn that a. The EPA has previously cited the company for violating air pollution standards. b. The EPA has been notified but has not yet investigated residents' claims. c. The EPA has given the company 18 months to address the violations.

6. **In the meantime, you have taken pictures of** a. the company's smokestacks emitting black smoke b. sick children in the homes of the local residents. c. a hospital emergency room teeming with local residents. d. a local cemetery where many stillborn children are buried. e. cesspools that have killed all surrounding plant life. f. large wastewater pipes emptying wastewater into the waterways. g. piles of hospital and industrial waste at the local landfill.

7. **You write your article.** It consists of a. The story you have created using the above components. b. a definition of what environmental injustice is. c. how environmental injustice affects the people who live in the area. d. who makes the decisions about where potentially dangerous facilities will be located. e. what protections the residents of these areas have. Know the EPA regulations for the industry you are investigating. f. a final outcome, which comes from your "investigation."

Be sure you have found an actual newspaper story or magazine article about a similar incident concerning the industry you selected. Hand this in with your news story.

Get creative with your story. Weave your story around an actual industry. For example, you may find case studies about industrial polluters and get IDEAS -- not details-- from them. Part of your score will be based on your creativity, your thoroughness, your ability to tell a good story, and, of course, your research.

Check out the [|rubric] for this project.
 * EVALUATION**

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