Calix, B. (2018, July 12). Judge grants state attorney general intervention in Fresno environmental justice lawsuit. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article214783925.html
A Fresno Superior Court judge, Rosemary McGuire, granted an order for the California attorney general’s office to intervene in an environmental justice case against the city of Fresno and a developer. In January, the city council approved a permit for a 110-acre industrial park. The vacant site was zoned for heavy industrial purposes for over 30 years. The lawsuit accuses the city of improperly evaluating the potential environmental effects that the project would have on nearby residents, in particular families who are located on the south side of Central Avenue. Residents of Fresno voiced their concerns that “The city’s approval of a massive warehouse in our community without proper review puts our health and our homes at risk.”
This relates to Environmental Science because according to the Environmental Protection Agency, Fresno is the most “pollution-burdened neighborhood” in the state of California. Pollution is ofcourse a huge attribute to global warming and climate change. It is shocking to imagine that such a pollution stricken area is only three hours from us. Cases like this are extremely difficult because there is truly no “good” place to insert an industrial park. This is why I believe solar energy would prove vital in sustaining our health and resources, while also appeazing residents throughout the state.
I enjoyed reading your article and definitely agree with your solution of solar energy as an alternative. However, I am curious if you think interventions from higher courts are becoming more necessary in certain areas or if you think higher level government agencies should stay out of local environmental issues.
Thanks for the comment! With regards to your question, I feel that for the most part, local governments should have the majority of control over local environmental issues simply because they are the most in touch with the issues facing their community. While higher level governments may prove necessary in dior situations where local governments are clearly not fulfilling their roles, I feel that a local government’s specialized knowledge surrounding issues in their community will prove valuable.