2009 Update on WEI's Research and Community Advocacy Projects
2009 YEAR IN REVIEW:
What are the EJEAC Research and Community Advocacy Projects?
WEI EMPOWERING and WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY EXPOSED TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
CLIMATE JUSTICE PROJECT
The Climate Justice Working Group and a collaboration between WEI and EJAM was formed early in 2007 to create a space for people of color and low income communities to engage, network and be empowered for self-advocacy around climate change impacts and solutions that affect their communities.
Community Right to Know Policy Projects
WEI is working to change public policy in a number of ways. In 2007 we are working with the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, to support legislation which will strengthen Minnesota's Community Right to Know Act and increase its enforcement. and will also continue to support "environmental justice mapping" efforts. This project includes two projects: state funding for environmental justice mapping and strengthening and better enforcement of community right to know laws.
Environmental Justice Education and Advocacy Collaboration (EJEAC)
With initial grants from Headwaters Foundation for Justice, WEI created a project to clarify and make visible the link between toxic sites mapped by the MN Pollution Control Agency, MN Department of Agriculture and other state agencies concerning both what we know and what we need to know about health disparities experienced by individuals living near or on those sites.