Join Us Today at the ELPR and Virginia Coastal Policy Center Symposium: Current Developments in Environmental Justice
The William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review will host a symposium at the Law School on Friday, Feb. 26, entitled "And Justice for All: Current Developments in Environmental Justice." The Virginia Coastal Policy Center is co-sponsoring the event. Admission is free and the public is welcome. In order to help plan for food and refreshments, please register if you plan to attend.
The recent national news coverage on the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, brought but one of numerous examples of environmental injustice to the public’s attention. Throughout history, disadvantaged populations have disproportionately borne the costs of environmental degradation and pollution. Is this simply a matter of economics or does it stem from political favoritism or even racism? Environmental Justice, known as “EJ” for short, began as an offshoot of the Civil Rights Movement, but today the term encompasses so much more. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently 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.” This symposium brings together a mixture of seasoned academics and practitioners to discuss fresh perspectives on the definition of EJ; the public health implications of EJ; best practices for those currently fighting for EJ; and EJ in an international context.
Participants
Maryann Nolan Chong (J.D. '07), U.S. Agency for International Development
Ryan N. Fitzpatrick, Esq., U.S. Department of Transportation
Danny Gogal, EPA Office of Environmental Justice
Dr. Lenneal Henderson, The College of William & Mary
Dr. Erica Holloman, Greater Southeast Development Corporation
Professor Alice Kaswan, University of San Francisco School of Law
Upasana Khatri, EarthRights International
Virginia Ruiz, Farmworker Justice
Dr. Nicky Sheats, Esq., New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance
Professor Patrice Simms, Howard University School of Law
Professor Andrea Y. Simpson, University of Richmond
Michael J. Walker, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Sharonda Williams-Tack, Sierra Club
Jesse Worker, World Resources Institute
Program (the complete program can be found on Eventbrite)
Check-in begins at 9:15 in the Law School lobby. The Dean's Welcome begins at 9:45 AM. Lunch will be served from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. A reception for speakers, alumni, and students will take place in the lobby from 4 to 6 PM.
What is environmental justice? (10:00-11:10 AM)
EJ Where We Live, Work, & Play (11:20-12:30 PM)
Grassroots Leadership (1:30-2:30 PM)
International Environmental Justice (2:40-4:00 PM)
About the Journal
The William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review (ELPR) began in 1975 as a newsletter entitled Environmental Practice News. By 1990 the publication evolved into the William and Mary Journal of Environmental Law, and in 1995 took on its current manifestation. Publishing three times a year, ELPR focuses on current topics in environmental law and the policy implications behind the law.
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.