Statement of Heather McTeer Toney (EDF Vice President for Community Engagement)
January 28, 2022
Alyse Rooks 804-414-4743 [email protected]
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency made a significant step towards justice for communities it had for too long failed to fully protect.
Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, sat on porches, and in front yards, two months ago. He was worried about climate change and overburdened by pollution. He clearly heard them. His solutions are applicable to all communities and address specific needs.
Although the issues in Houston’s Fifth Ward may not be the same as in Mossville, Louisiana they share the desire to see a better and more prosperous future.
EDF encourages these efforts to be expanded through legislative opportunities, such as the Senator Markey introduced the Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act. The bill would allow for more local air quality insights. It also requires EPA to integrate environmental justice mapping tools, concentrate on cumulative harms, improve the quantitative use and integration of low-cost sensors and satellite data in decision making.
It is imperative that the Biden administration takes seriously the recommendations of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Councils. These recommendations outline a strong path to equitable and just climate solutions.
This is an all of-government approach that relies on a community-centric approach. It involves advocates such as local leaders, large environmental groups, and leaders in philanthropy to support community-centric-responses. The government cannot solve the climate crisis on its own.
Heather McTeer Toney is Vice President of Community Engagement at Environmental Defense Fund
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One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund(edf.org), creates transformative solutions to the most severe environmental problems. EDF combines science, economics and law to achieve this goal. With more than 2.5 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Follow us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
