Relevant Research Lecture: 'Environmental Justice: Worldwide Case Studies and Contaminants in Alaska' with Frank von Hippel, April 13

Friday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.
Fine Arts Building, Room 150

Spend an evening learning about environmental contaminants affecting us globally and locally when Professor Frank von Hippel delivers his College of Arts and Sciences Relevant Research Series lecture, "Environmental Justice: Worldwide Case Studies and Contaminants in Alaska."

Environmental justice emerged as a concept in the early 1980s, and refers to "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." Although this field of inquiry is relatively young, cases of environmental injustice are as old as the exploitation of natural resources and the advent of the industrial revolution. This talk will begin with an overview of classic examples and recent events of environmental injustice from around the world due to exposure to contaminants, and then focuses on such issues in Alaska. Both global and local sources of contaminants are examined, with an emphasis on health consequences for rural Alaskans. Finally, these case studies will be put into the theoretical context of studies of environmental justice.
 
This event is free and open to the public.