Solutions for Humanity, Community, and the Environment is currently involved in the
following events/activities:
Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities
- Education Advisory Committee. (2009). Chair Bates currently sits on the Education Advisory Committee for the GICHD,
advocating for the elimination of the achievement gap, as education is viewed as a human right.
Puget Sound Regional Council. (2009). A
letter was submitted with regards to the DEIS proposed by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). Information
and education were provided with regards to environmental justice elements proposed by the PSRC, and several major corrections
were recommended in order to assist the PSRC in removing biased language from the document. Further, it was recommended
that the PSRC address the potential for disparate impacts upon populations, as is the purpose of ensuring fair environmental
burdens. The current language does not seem to reveal legitimate efforts aimed at ensuring that environmental impacts
and burdens would be actively addressed.
The Black Collective of Pierce County. (2009). A Solutions representative prepared a short briefing
for the Political Action Committee of the Black Collective of Pierce County regarding the status of Environmental Justice
issues, local concerns, Executive Order 12898, and the relationship between environmental conditions and human health.
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Advisory Council Environmental
Justice Representative. (Appointment). Amy Bates, Chair of Solutions, was appointed by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA)
to represent environmental justice issues in the Puget Sound region on their Advisory Council. The Advisory Council
meets on a monthly basis in Seattle, Washington. Chair Bates is an active participant, educating on behalf of underserved
populations with regards to the impacts of environmental policy and the relationship between air quality and human health.
Bioregion Training Workshop
with Evergreen State College and the University of Washington, Tacoma. (2009). Solutions was invited as a guest lecturer
and local expert during this seminar aimed at providing continuing education for social and environmental scientists, instructors,
and college professors. Solutions offered a presentation aimed at clarifying the relationship between the social determinants
of health, human health, environmental policy, and sustainability.
Environmental Justice Lecture at Pierce Community College (Ft. Steilacoom).
(2008). A Solutions representative was invited as a guest lecturer at Pierce College, focusing upon environmental justice
and the relationship between humans, health, and the environment.
Bioregion Training Workshop with
Evergreen State College (Olympia). (2008). During this two-day workshop held in rural Pierce County, Solutions presented
information about environmental justice, the social determinants of health, and the relationship between human health and
environmental policy. The audience for this two-day session included instructors from Puget Sound area universities
and colleges, local experts, environmentalists and scientists.
Forum on Environmental Public Health Tracking. (May
2008). A Solutions representative will attend this one-day-training in SeaTac, WA.
Washington State Department
of Ecology. (May 2008). A Solutions representative plans to attend a GMAP session at WA ECY in Lacey, WA.
Environmental
Justice Workshop. (May 2008). A Solutions representative attended this one-day-training offered by the Environmental
Protection Agency (Region 10) in Seattle Washington.
Puget Sound Partnership - Human Health Forum. (April 2008).
A Solutions representative participated in this forum, which was held at the Tacoma Landmark, in Tacoma. Solutions promoted
the inclusion of diverse communities in environmental policy planning, implementation, and enforcement. Solutions explained
that, based upon the EPA's definition of Environmental Justice, the inclusion of diverse populations is necessary, otherwise
an injustice is affected upon impacted and excluded communities. Further, Solutions affirmed that environmental concerns
such as safe communities, walkable neighborhoods, and relative access to healthy food choices. Solutions seeks to educate
policy makers and other environmental interests in regards to the relationship between environmental equity and health.
Gov. Interagency Council on Health Disparities. (Ongoing 2007 - 2008). A Solutions representative participates
and communicates in order to provide information in regards to Environmental Justice concerns that result in health disparities.
Lead CAP Advisory Committee Member: Washington State Department of Ecology. (Ongoing 2007-2008). A Solutions
representative was invited to participate on this important Advisory Committee. Solutions advocated for intentional
consideration of communities suffering from multiple sources of lead exposure. Further, Solutions requested that the
committee take a community approach when addressing lead concerns, rather than the current method that looks at
individual sources, but fails to address cumulative impacts. Solutions advocated that the precautionary principle
be used when addressing areas with the potential for disparate impacts due to multiple sources of lead exposure.
Health Coalition for Communities of Color. Tacoma, Washington (2008). A Solutions
representative participates in this grass-roots organization for the purpose of learning more about the concerns of communities
of color, current projects aimed at addressing health issues, and working towards eliminating health disparities.
Washington
State Department of Health: Race and Obesity. (December, 2007). A recent study in Seattle, Washington links obesity
rates with population locations within the city. The researcher presents his study methods and findings.
Collaborative
on Health and the Environment (CHE-WA) meeting at Antioch University. (December, 2007). A Solutions representative
attended this meeting for the purpose of determining potential environmental justice partnerships within the Puget Sound bioregion.
Partnerships were established with appropriate agency personnel.
Pierce County Coalition for Environmental Health Priorities
(December, 2007). Solutions will participate in this meeting with the Pierce County Board of Health officials.
Honoring Cultural Communities of in an EBP World 2007 Conference (December, 2007). Solutions will participate
in this conference for the purpose of assessing Evidence Based Practices (EBP) and further strengthening human-environmental
advocacy potential within the organization and community.
Select Committee on Environmental Health. (November,
2007). A Solutions representative attended this hearing at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington in support of eliminating
the use of lead in children's products. Solutions also supported actions aimed at reducing human exposure to mold-related
pathogens/allergens, which are closely associated with sub-standard housing.
Public Health Grand Rounds. (November,
2007). Participated in broadcast event in support of community health promotion.
Health Coalition for Communities
of Color (HC3) Meeting at Allen. (November, 2007). A Solutions representative attended this meeting and confirmed
membership for the purpose of assisting communities of color in promoting healthy communities.
City of Tacoma
Community Advisory Panel Meeting (November, 2007). Solutions elected to participate in this advisory panel. Additional
information will be provided at a later date.
Social Justice and Global Warming (November, 2007). A Solutions representative
met with Van Jones in Seattle at the Community Forum: "Social Justice and Global Warming." Langston Hughes
Performing Arts Center. Grass roots Seattle community leaders and Solutions are networking with Van Jones to find ways to
resolve social, economic and environmental disparities. "The chief moral obligation of the 21st Century is to build a
green economy that is strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Those communities that were locked out of the last century's
pollution-based economy must be locked into the new, clean and renewable economy. Our youth need green-collar jobs, not jails."
- Van Jones
Washington Toxic's Coalition (October, 2007). Solutions was invited to attend this annual
event, which took place in Seattle, Washington. The Washington Toxic's Coalition (WTC) seeks to reduce toxic
chemical exposure, particularly as it relates to the exposure of children.
We Can Do Better (October,
2007). A Solutions representative attended this community based collaborabtive sponsored by the Pierce County Medical
Society, TPCHD, Franciscan Health Systems, MultiCare Health System, Centro Latino, Community Health Care, and the Eastside
Lutheran Mission. The objective of the collaborative was to cooperatively problem-solve for the purpose of developing
a sustainable healthcare system in Pierce County. Solutions advocated for equitable healthcare for all of Pierce County's
diverse populations, in addition to equitable outcomes.
Puget SoundKeeper Alliance's Annual Salute to the Sound (October,2007).
Solutions supported this annual event hosted by the Puget SoundKeeper Alliance, which was held in seattle at the Seattle
Aquarium. Puget SounKeeper Alliance is an environmental advocacy organization that enforces the Clean Water Act.
The Puget SoundKeeper Alliance is a member organization of the WaterKeeper Alliance.
Washington State Public
Health Association Joint Conference on Health (October, 2007). Solutions worked collaboratively staff at Tacoma-Pierce
County Health Department (TPCHD), and conducted a presentation and round-table discussion on the relationship between enviromental
and public health.
Health Care for Pierce County (October, 2007). Solutions participated in a group discussion
aimed at creating a model healthcare system for Washington State. Solutions contributions focused upon access and equity
in health care.
Tacoma-Pierce County Earth Charter Committee Meeting (May, 2007). Solutions-HCE was represented during
this meeting wherein Carolyn Hartt and Syvia Hoodenpyle presented the need for more collaboration among groups in our area
working toward a socially and environmentally sustainable future for all. Local
Hazardous Waste Management Plan Update Advisory Group (May, 2007). Solutions-HCE provided a representative
for this advisory group. Work is currently ongoing at this time.
Pierce
County Coalition for Environmental Health Priorities (May, 2007). Solutions offered a presentation to the
Coalition in regards to environmental justice. Environmental Justice was defined for participants, and
international and national examples provided. The presentation was opened up for discussion following the
presentation.
City of Tacoma Environment and
Public Works Committee Meeting (May, 2007). Solutions-HCE offered a short presentation to the committee in regards to Environmental
Justice issues in Tacoma, Washington. Analysis information was also provided for public and City Council
Member review. This meeting took place at the Tacoma Municipal Building.
