Rising Tides

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Kimberly Jones about water justice in our communities. Dr. Jones dives deep into the pressing issue of water insecurity, exploring where our water comes from, who controls it, and the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact access to safe drinking water.  From the ongoing challenges of contamination and pollution to the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities, Dr. Jones provides a comprehensive look at the current state of water equity and how experts, lawmakers and communities can work together to solve this crisis. She also encourages young people to consider careers in the water sector, emphasizing the urgent need for fresh perspectives and new talent to address the critical challenges facing our water systems today.

Dr. Jones is the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Howard University. She is chair of the Chartered Science Advisory Board of the EPA and serves as a Presidential Appointee to the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences. Dr. Jones has received numerous awards including (but not limited to) Researcher of the Year award from Howard University, a Top Women in Science Award from the National Technical Association, and the Top Women Achievers award from Essence Magazine. Learn more about Dr. Jones and her work here.

In this episode we look back at Love Canal, where buried chemical waste beneath a New York neighborhood highlighted how scientific uncertainty about causation was used to justify government inaction. Stephen Lester, a scientist who worked alongside community leaders like Lois Gibbs, explains how residents came together, organized, and fought persistently to secure protection for their families.

Stephen Lester currently serves as the Science Director at the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ), where he provides technical and scientific assistance to communities concerned about environmental health issues. A Harvard-trained toxicologist, Mr. Lester emerged as a central figure in the Love Canal movement, helping ensure government and industry were held accountable. With CHEJ, he has provided technical assistance to over 1,000 grassroots groups across the country and remains a leading voice in environmental justice. During his career, Mr. Lester has served on a number of advisory and review committees, including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Resource Council of the National Academy, and the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment.

Learn more about Stephen Lester's and CHEJ's work here.

In this episode, Professor Clifford Villa explains what toxic waste is, how its disposal disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, and how the Superfund program aims to address these inequities.

Professor Villa served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for the EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management, where he led policy initiatives across a range of programs and supported the Biden Administration's goals on environmental justice and climate change. He has held faculty positions at the University of New Mexico School of Law, Columbia Law School, and Seattle University School of Law, teaching in the areas of environmental law and constitutional rights. Before his academic career, Professor Villa spent more than 20 years as an attorney with the EPA. He has presented at conferences across the U.S., as well as in Spain and Latin America, and has authored numerous publications. His work has earned him several accolades, including commendations for service from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice, the Modelo de Excelencia Award from the Latino Bar Association of Washington, and the Outstanding Faculty Award from Seattle University School of Law.

Learn more about Professor Villa and his work here.

In our first episode, Professor Running-Grass introduces the concept of environmental justice, reviews its origins and principles, and talks about the future direction of this movement.

Professor Running-Grass is an educator and a long-time social justice and environmental activist. His expertise spans several fields including multicultural education, critical pedagogy, and environmental education. He led the creation of Three Circles Center for Multicultural Environmental Education and is nationally recognized for his formative contribution to the field of Multicultural Environmental Education and Environmental Justice. He was also one of the 300 delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in 1991, which launched the Environmental Justice movement onto the national stage. Professor Running-Grass worked for the EPA for 22 years, focusing on Environmental Justice issues, especially at the community level. He is currently appointed by Governor Inslee to the first Environmental Justice Council in Washington state, which is tasked to track the implementation of the State HEAL Act and the Climate Commitment Act. He is also a founding faculty member of the Urban Environmental Education MA Program at Antioch University.

To learn more about Professor Running-Grass and his work, please visit the website for the Three Circles Center.

Welcome to my podcast! In the following episodes, I'll speak with experts in the field of environmental justice striving for a fair and sustainable world. From the impacts of climate change on marginalized communities to innovative solutions and policy changes, this podcast sheds light on the struggles and triumphs in the quest for environmental justice. I hope you find these episodes informative and inspiring.