Environmental Justice
Upcoming Webinar
WEBINAR | Intersections of Care: Healthcare, Hospitals, and Environmental Justice
Thursday, December 5, 2024 | 11AM-12PM ET
With record levels of funding available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law many in the healthcare field are turning to new or innovative ways of considering the intersections of community and the environment. This webinar will explore the roles of hospitals and healthcare facilities working to become climate resilient, alongside the relationship of social determinants of health (SDoH) to environmental justice concerns and the screening tools that help illustrate them when apply for funding. Examples of how communities are remedying the links between SDoH and environmental justice as well as how places are implementing more environmentally friendly strategies for community health will be shared.
This webinar is hosted by Tyler McDaniel, Environmental Justice Coordinator, CEDIK, and Melody Nall, Engagement Director, CEDIK.
Past Webinars
WEBINAR | Addressing Environmental Justice Concerns in Your Brownfield Application
Recorded Tuesday, August 28th, 2024
Wondering how to approach environmental justice in your upcoming EPA Brownfield application? Attendees will learn that environmental justice is a scored component of your application evaluation and more importantly - how to address those questions using available tools and community engagement processes.
This webinar is hosted by Shane Barton (CEDIK) and features special guests Kiersten O'Leary (KY EEC Brownfield Program) and Tyler McDaniel (CEDIK Environmental Justice Program Coordinator).
WEBINAR | Community Change Grants for Climate Focused Projects
Recorded Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024
In this webinar you'll learn about the Environmental Protection Agency's new Community Change Grants program which supports community driven environmental projects. This historic funding of $1 million - $20 million is available for communities with concerns related to air, water, and soil quality as well as building climate response strategies, clean energy transitions, and transforming former mine land. Funding is available for "disadvantaged communities" based on a number of criteria that can be determined through easy-to-use online screening tools. Join us to learn about who is eligible, relevant project areas, and what goes into the application process.
Presenter: Tyler McDaniel, CEDIK Environmental Justice Program Coordinator
What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental justice is a movement that prioritizes the involvement and needs of communities in decision-making or activities that affect their local environments during the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws or policies. To build healthy and resilient communities the process focuses on the meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, disability, or tribal affiliation. Through environmental justice initiatives, communities practice planning and decision making to fully protect them from disproportionate and adverse health impacts related to environmental risks or hazards.
Examples of EJ Concerns and Actions:
- Poor air, water, and soil quality
- Exposure to environmental hazards
- Climate change resilience (preparation and response)
- Clean energy transitions
- Transforming former mine land
Our Environmental Justice Opportunities
We are the Kentucky office of REACT4EJ, the EPA Region 4 Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC). This enables us to support communities and organizations already doing environmental justice work around the state. Our support includes providing technical assistance through guidance on navigating grant applications and systems, developing strong proposals, assisting with community engagement, providing facilitation for communities, and connecting people with broader resources or partnerships. By ensuring direct access to resources for communities we are removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns.
