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Jewish Perspectives on Environmental Justice
National Jewish Community
Relations Advisory Council Statement Of Principles
On Environmental Justice
Adopted by the NJCRAC Plenary Session, February 7, 1995
Overview
"Environmental justice" has entered
the lexicon as the term of choice for describing
the intersection of environmental and economic
justice concerns, in particular, the impact of
environmental degradation on the health and welfare
of people of color, and low income and minority
populations, both across national boundaries and
within societies.
Across the world, poor people are affected disproportionately
by environmental degradation. Two-thirds of lower-income
urban dwellers across the globe breathe air that
contains dangerously high levels of sulfur; 10
million poor children, according to the World
Health Organization, die each year from drinking
contaminated water; and poverty and social inequities
contribute to the massive destruction of rainforests.
In the United States, studies conducted by the
Environmental Protection Agency, the University
of Michigan and the United Church of Christ have
indicated that communities of people of color
and low income appear in highly disproportionate
numbers as sites for hazardous waste landfills,
incinerators and chemical factories, while being
the least likely to be selected as sites for environmental
clean-up efforts. These studies were validated
and addressed in February 1994, when President
Clinton signed an Executive Order on "Federal
Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority
and Low Income Populations," which ensures
that federal programs do not unfairly inflict
environmental hardships on poor or minority communities.
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In October 1991,
a multinational First People of Color Environmental
Leadership Summit was convened which highlighted
the burdens of environmental degradation on these
communities. Since that time, numerous groups
representing people of color have organized around
environmental justice as a primary agenda item.
The issue of environmental justice poses a dual
challenge to the Jewish community relations field.
In this context, environmental problems are explored
for their economic, political and social justice
implications. And while environmental degradation
is a global problem with widespread implications
for all humanity, the field is challenged to adopt
policies that recognize and involve the most severely
affected populations.
Fundamental to Jewish community relations is
the fostering of conditions needed to ensure a
society wherein all people enjoy equal rights,
security, justice and opportunity. This commitment
flows from Jewish religious mandates and tradition
to pursue justice by equitable means. Moreover,
it has been our experience that Jewish security
flourishes in a society committed to such social
and democratic values. The Jewish community also
embraces a mandate to cherish, cultivate and protect
the earth.
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