Kaswan, A. (2018, September 25). Expanding Environmental Justice to Achieve a Just Transition. Retrieved from https://www.theregreview.org/2018/09/26/kaswan-expanding-environmental-justice-achieve-just-transition/

 

A hurricane’s consequences differ dramatically depending on  infrastructure, access to medical care, and financial resources. California’s first comprehensive climate law demanded that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) guides California’s climate efforts with improving air quality. The revenue accumulated can be designated for disadvantaged communities. However, some fear that increasing opportunities for marginalized communities reduces opportunities for advantaged groups. The environmental justice and social welfare movements have been good at detecting the best ways to uplift those who are down. To avoid injustice in a transition to a green economy, these movements must connect with others that advocate for the working class.

 

This is extremely applicable to Environmental Science today because we are living in an era of numerous natural disasters. California in particular is suffering right now due to the break out of fires. When mines or plants close, people feel trapped and it can lead to the dispersing of families from their community. It is pretty incredible however that we are living in a state of which actively provides environmental and economic opportunities to the most impoverished and disadvantaged communities and may serve as a model for other places working towards a green transition.