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MUSC among environmental justice award winners
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The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 21 that MUSC
is among 12 winners of its first Environmental Justice Achievement
Awards. The awards are expected to be presented annually.
The awards, presented during ceremonies in Atlanta, recognize
organizations for their accomplishments in addressing environmental
justice issues, such as reducing children’s pesticide exposure, and
helping hurricane-displaced communities address environmental
contamination.
David Rivers, assistant professor and director of Public Information
and Community Outreach (PICO) in the Department of Library Science and
Informatics, said MUSC competed among 63 national applicants for this
award that reflects the institution’s commitment to ensuring
forethought and balance in all efforts.
“This award represents the major effort of the entire PICO staff that
has worked hard to consider the impacts on human health, the
environment and economic development from everything we do,” Rivers
said. “Our achievement in demonstrating environmental justice
compliance represents our commitment to avoid negative implications
from our actions on human health and environment, especially among our
most vulnerable populations.”
In 1999, MUSC, South Carolina State University and EPA collaborated on
a national conference, “Environmental Justice: Strengthening the Bridge
Between Economic Development and Sustainable Communities.”
Since then, MUSC has organized and participated in hundreds of programs
and initiatives that build upon this vision. For example, following
hurricanes Katrina and Rita, MUSC engaged people from vulnerable
communities in dialogues about their exposure to disproportionate
dangers from accidents and emergencies. As a result of these dialogues,
MUSC produced a report and television program called, “A Moment’s
Notice: Emergency Preparedness and Response.”
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
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