Will seek equitable treatment for minority communities.
The Department of Justice announced that it will create a new office focused on environmental justice and would apply a new “strategy” to penalize environmental justice crimes.
“Although violations of our environmental laws can happen anywhere, communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities often bear the brunt of the harm caused by environmental crime, pollution, and climate change,” Attorney General Merrick Garland stated.
Environmental justice is a movement to support equitable treatment of people of color and others who have faced a disproportionate amount of pollution. Historically, many polluting projects have been located in minority neighborhoods, exposing those communities to additional health risks.
The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) will work alongside a number of other interdepartmental agencies, including the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorneys’ offices to “prioritize meaningful and constructive engagement with the communities most affected by environmental crime and injustice.”
“Because these projects bring environmental and public health benefits to the communities most directly affected by the underlying violations, they are particularly powerful tools for advancing environmental justice,” Attorney General Garland said.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For officials in the Justice Department as they seek to address the disparities of environmental outcomes.
- For Attorney General Garland to be discerning in the application of federal environmental laws.
- For the president and his advisors to be wise regarding appropriate solutions and support to communities affected by environmental pollutants.
Sources: The Hill, CNN
