PLATFORM
“Science-based, community centered.”
Overview
Environmental racism is the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of Color. It is often called the ‘forgotten’ sector of social justice, as it is often left off of the list of social injustices that people of Color face (such as income inequality, education, health care, racial discrimination, etc.). However, I believe it is one of the most deadly injustices people of Color face, as there is a direct link between environmental condition and human health. Environmental Justice is interwoven with the myriad of injustices that communities of color face and are connected to various pressing issues in Durham County (e.g. gun violence, food insecurity, health, and housing disparities).
Furthermore, North Carolina is recognized nationally as being the catalyst for the Environmental Justice movement in America. Those residents of Warren County protested the government's decision to build a hazardous waste landfill in their county to dispose of toxic soil. I will continue to fight for Environmental Justice for all of Durham’s residents affected by environmental racism, as Environmental Justice is Economic Justice and Health Justice. As District Supervisor, I will work with our communities, especially marginalized communities, to develop sustainable and equitable solutions to:
Action Items
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Protect and conserve Durham's natural resources
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Improving water quality and decreasing sedimentation and nutrient pollution in Jordan and Falls Lake
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Ensuring Durham’s natural resources are not disproportionately impacted by pollution from other NC county’s
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Guarantee that marginalized communities have equitable access to our county's natural resources and green spaces.
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Research has shown the positive effects of nature and well-maintained green spaces have on decreasing violent crimes, such as gun violence, which is a pressing issue in Durham County.
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Combat food insecurities and water pollution and prepare for extreme weather events (e.g. heat waves, heavy rainfall, and flooding).
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Poor food and water quality decrease overall human health, which can lead to health disparities and overwhelm our health care and medical systems.
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Increasing FNS licensing among farmers and farmers markets will make farmers markets and produce more accessible to low income communities and increase revenue among farmers.
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Creating proactive solutions (e.g. planting trees & restoring eroding creeks) to prepare for extreme weather events.
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