to produce as little waste as possible; and make the conscious decision to challenge and reprioritize our lifestyles to insure the health of the natural world for present and future generations.

 


Adopted October 27, 1991
The First National People of color Environmental Leadership Summit
Washington, D.C.
 
http://www.sneej.org/ejprinc.htm
 
http://www.sneej.org/mission.htm
eft">July 1, 2004

By Judy Keeler jfkeeler at vtc.net

http://www.eco.freedom.org

To submit a Letter to the Editor: editor@eco.freedom.org

"Another listening session," I thought, while reading the announcement from the New Mexico Environment Department about its "Public Listening Session on Environmental Justice." I remembered back to when the agencies actually took public comments. They not only listened to what was presented, but tried to respond and interact with the participants.

Through the years, though, it became increasingly difficult for the agencies to justify their new agendas. They started calling public meetings "listening sessions." No longer was the public able to dialogue in an open forum, nor were the agencies obligated to provide answers. The new process had the appearance of receiving public input, but no records were kept on the public's input. Accountability flew out the window.

This notice reminded me of a little ditty my Dad would sing when someone said, "listen," especially when we heard rain pelting the roof of our home. A little uncouth, the poem certainly reflected my thoughts on listening sessions. "Listen, listen, the cat's _issin'. Where, where? Under the chair! Quick, quick get a gun! Too late, already done." How appropriate!

I've attended quite a few public meetings in the last fifteen years.

I learned that by the time an agency invites 'public participation', they have already set their new policies. They're now seeking your name on a list that will reflect you have "participated."

Too late, already done!

Just like a cat, however, curiosity got the better of me. I made the trek to just one more "listening session."

What is Environmental Justice? According to the New Mexico EPA http://www.epa.gov/region6/ , it is the "fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, income, or education level with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Environmental justice seeks to ensure that no population is forced to shoulder a disproportionate burden of the negative human health and environmental impacts of pollution or other environmental hazards."

I came across the term "Environmental Justice" for the first time, in Border XXI documents published in the late 1990s. My concept of environmental justice was very simple; if an individual was harmed by environmental laws, regulations or policies, one could seek justice. I thought it was a legal framework of some kind to ensure everyone was treated fairly, so that no particular culture, race, religion, or creed had to bear the full brunt and weight of environmental laws and regulations. I know, now, my interpretation was extremely naive.

At the listening session, I was to learn even more!

The master of ceremonies turned out to be Judith Espinoza. Bells began to ring, when I heard her name. Ms. Espinoza, a former Secretary of Environment for New Mexico, also served on the President's Council on Sustainable Development during the Clinton Administration. In addition, she served as a Board member for the National Wildlife Federation from 1995 to 2001. I seemed to recall [that] she also served, along with Dave Foreman, as [one of the] founding members of the New Mexico Wilderness Coalition.

I discovered at the meeting, she is currently serving as Director of the Alliance for Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

After a brief introduction of local elected officials and personnel from the New Mexico Environment Department, Ms. Espinoza introduced a panel consisting of Richard Moore, Coordinator of the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ), and Carlos Marentes, Centro de Trabajadores Agricolas.

It didn't take long for me to recognize Mr. Moore was a mover-and-shaker. A polished speaker, he gave an historical overview of the economic and environment justice movement in the U.S., as well as New Mexico. It was obvious, he had been involved for some time.

Carlos Marentes' presentation focused on the inequities of immigrant workers in the U.S. Although he discussed several instances where the workers were mistreated by a few New Mexico agriculturalists, I felt there was more to the picture that was not being presented. Were there no benefits for workers in the U.S.? I thought of some of the immigrants I knew. They were grateful for a job that allowed them to support their families in Mexico. No matter how menial Americans thought their work, they were proud of their contribution.

I stayed for the second panel, Agriculture and Land Use, but was disappointed that the focus remained on the injustices suffered by Mexican nationals. Unable to stay for the Open Session, I left early.

As usual, I picked up all the tracts and booklets lying on the foyer tables. Not until I got into my vehicle, did I take a look at my stash. One book, in particular, jumped out at me. Entitled, Sacred Waters: El Agua Es De Todos - Life-Blood of Mother Earth: Four Case Studies of High-Tech Water Resource Exploitation and Corporate Welfare in the Southwest. I knew I had stuck gold.

Funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation, New World Foundation, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Public Welfare Foundation, and the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program, the book was published in 1997, by the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice and the Campaign for Responsible Technology, Richard Moore's organization.

According to its preface, several organizations developed the study to "document and challenge the negative impacts of high-tech development and to attain sustainable development and responsible manufacturing."

Judith Espinosa, in her summary of the book, states:

"This is a must read for those who care about the depletion of our scarce water resources in the west and the southwest, and the sustainability of our communities. This study does not argue for holding back technology. It does examine our obligation to advance a moral corporate commitment to equitably meet the needs of today, without wasting the resources that future generations must have for a sustainable lifestyle."

Mr. Moore's summary is even more revealing:

"Sacred Waters describes the importance of water -- environmentally and spiritually to the people of the Southwest. It clearly describes how the electronics industry has affected the water quality and quantity of 4 communities: Austin, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Phoenix, AZ; and Silicon Valley, CA. This book is also important, because it is a product of a unique collaboration between two networks, the Campaign for Responsible Technology and Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice. It provides a model for all as we move together into the 21 Century."

Familiar with the United Nation's Agenda 21 and the Sustainable Development portion, I knew I had stumbled onto yet another collaborative effort to implement this program. Obviously, it has been determined by a few individuals that it's time for New Mexico to jump on the bandwagon, and join the Brave New World.

Yep, listen, listen... You'll be amazed at what is revealed. More listening meetings are scheduled in Las Vegas, New Mexico - July 21st; Acoma - July 27; and Albuquerque - August 17-19th.

For those who are unfamiliar with Agenda 21, a great deal of information can be found at: www.eco.freedom.org and www.propertyrightsresearch.org

http://www.eco.freedom.org/el/20040702/keeler.shtml
 
 
Additional researched information:
 
 
Border XXI
http://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/
 
Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ)
http://www.sneej.org/
 
SNEEJ "Mission Statement":
 
The Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice exists to bring together activists and grassroots organizations from across the Southwest, West and border states of Mexico. Our purpose is to develop and broaden collective regional strategies and perspectives on environmental degradation and other social, racial, generational, economic and gender injustices. The Southwest Network recognizes the direct link between economic and environmental issues. As indigenous people and people of color, we recognize that the demand for a safe, clean environment and workplace can only be achieved by building a movement with gender equality that promotes environmental and economic justice. Furthermore, sustainable economic development alternatives must be defined by the communities most impacted by these policies. The Southwest Network supports the struggle for sovereignty of indigenous people and tribes. We affirm our spirituality and our holistic oneness with Mother Earth.
 
The Jemez Principles http://www.sneej.org/jemez.htm
 
Statement of Solidarity: People of Color Regional Activist Dialogue on Environmental Justice (RAD) http://www.sneej.org/solidar.htm
 
Principles of Environmental Justice:
 

The First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit


October 24-27, 1991


Washington, D.C.

PREAMBLE

WE, THE PEOPLE OF COLOR, gathered together at this multinational People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, to begin to build a national and international movement of all peoples of color to fight the destruction and taking of our lands and communities, do hereby reestablish our spiritual interdependence to the sacredness of our Mother Earth; to respect and celebrate each of our cultures, languages and beliefs about the natural world and our roles in healing ourselves; to insure environmental justice; to promote economic alternatives which would contribute to the development of environmentally safe livelihoods; and, to secure our political, economic and cultural liberation that has been denied for over 500 years of colonization and oppression, resulting in the poisoning of our communities and land and the genocide of our peoples, do affirm and adopt these Principles of Environmental Justice:

  1. Environmental Justice affirms the sacredness of Mother Earth, ecological unity and the interdependence of all species, and the right to be free from ecological destruction.
  2. Environmental Justice demands that public policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all peoples, free from any form of discrimination of bias.
  3. Environmental Justice mandates the right to ethical, balanced and responsible uses of land and renewable resources in the interest of a sustainable planet for humans and other living things.
  4. Environmental Justice calls for universal protection from nuclear testing and the extraction production and disposal of toxic/hazardous wastes and poisons that threaten the fundamental right to clean air, land, water, and food.
  5. Environmental Justice affirms the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self-determination of all peoples.
  6. Environmental Justice demands the cessation of the production of all toxins, hazardous wastes, and radioactive materials, and that all past and current producers be held strictly accountable to the people for detoxification and the containment at the point of production.
  7. Environmental Justice demands the right to participate as equal partners at every level of decision-making including needs assessment, planning, implementation, enforcement and evaluation.
  8. Environmental Justice affirms the right of all workers to a safe and healthy work environment, without being forced to choose between an unsafe livelihood and unemployment. It also affirms the right of those who work at home to be free from environmental hazards.
  9. Environmental Justice protects the right of victims of environmental injustice to receive full compensation and reparations for damages as well as quality health care.
  10. Environmental Justice considers governmental acts of environmental injustice a violation of international law, the Universal Declaration On Human Rights, and the United Nations Convention on Genocide.
  11. Environmental Justice must recognize a special legal and natural relationship of Native Peoples to the U.S. government through treaties, agreements, compacts, and covenants affirming sovereignty and self-determination.
  12. Environmental Justice affirms the need for an urban and rural ecological policies to clean up and rebuild our cities and rural areas in balance with nature, honoring the cultural integrity of all our communities and providing fair access for all to the full range of resources.
  13. Environmental Justice calls for the strict enforcement of principles of informed consent, and a halt to the testing of experimental reproductive and medical procedures and vaccinations on people of color.
  14. Environmental Justice opposes the destructive operations of multi-national
    corporations.
  15. Environmental Justice opposes military occupation, repression and exploitation of lands, peoples and cultures, and other life forms.
  16. Environmental Justice calls for the education of present and future generations which emphasizes social and environmental issues, based on our experience and an appreciation of our cultural perspectives.
  17. Environmental Justice requires that we, as individuals, make personal and consumer choices to consume as little of Mother Earth’s resources and to produce as little waste as possible; and make the conscious decision to challenge and reprioritize our lifestyles to insure the health of the natural world for present and future generations.

 


Adopted October 27, 1991
The First National People of color Environmental Leadership Summit
Washington, D.C.
 
http://www.sneej.org/ejprinc.htm
 
http://www.sneej.org/mission.htm