By Katie Rickman- WA Voices for Justice Intern

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s

Environmental Justice has created: 

“Action Development Process

Interim Guidance on Considering Environmental 

Justice During the Development of an Action”

This document is a guide to environmental justice policy making at the Federal level but could be a helpful tool for forming policy in Washington State.

The goal is, “to more effectively protect human health and the environment for overburdened populations by developing and implementing guidance to incorporate environmental justice into EPA’s rulemaking process.” 

Found Here:

http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/policy/considering-ej-in-rulemaking-guide-07-2010.pdf

This document is accepting Public Comments for 60 days,a great way to participate in democracy beginning May 2013. Comments end July, 8th 2013.

The EPA will conduct a Science Advisory Board review of the guidance in June 2013.

Comments Received:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OA-2013-0320.

 By Katie Rickman- WA Voices for Justice Intern

“[. . .] In the early part of this century, everyone foolishly thought that nature’s resources were limitless and at the disposal of humanity. Today ecological ideology even influences political parties. All these changes stem from the experience we have acquired as human beings.

In the same way; the concept of human rights, whether individual or general, such as the right to self-determination for a given group, has evolved. These ideas are now universally recognized. Such progress gives me hope for the future.“

-HH Dalai Lama
Imagine All The People

May 9th-11th 2013  HH Dalai Lama visited the Pacific North West for the purpose of environmental education. On Saturday May 11th, he held an “Environmental Summit” in Portland OR discussing environmental ethics and policy with an excellent pannel including:

• Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber

• Dr. David Suzuki- Scientist, Broadcaster, Author

• Andrea Durbin- Executive Director, Oregon Environmental Council

The pannel discussed a carbon tax, ways to improve the economy to include environmental protection and the “inner environment” of the mind. The Dalai Lama spoke about “inner wealth” and “external wealth”. The importance of respecting the Earth as our home for our “inner wealth” is healthy for our minds and leads to better environmental practices.

2013 Dalai Lama Environmental Summit Environmental Guidelines

External Environmental Guidelines:

-reduce negative environmental impacts

-Support the local economy

-Promote green actions in everyday practice

Inner Environmental Guidelines:

-Inner peace and harmony throughout the planning of an event

-Foster a the spirit of the community

-Maintain vigilant awareness of larger goals

-Create clear, respectful, open communication

-Generate a sense of joy to overcome challenges

Additional Resources for the Dalai Lama’s Environmental Ethics can be found:

http://www.dalailama.com/messages/environment