The document discusses the intersection of environmental degradation and social injustices, highlighting how impoverished communities disproportionately suffer from environmental issues, such as disease and disaster vulnerability. It critiques the notion that environmental protections impede economic development, providing examples of successful initiatives that enhance both environmental health and economic prospects. The author advocates for integrating environmental considerations into poverty reduction efforts, emphasizing the need for harmonious public policies that address both themes comprehensively.

1. Lynne Healy
International Association of Schools of Social
Work

2. } “Environmental problems mirror oppressive
structural forces in society, as the primary
victims of environmental degradation are also
the main victims of injustices related to class,
gender, race, ethnicity, and locale. These
groups, particularly the poor in developing
countries, bear a disproportionate burden of
environmental degradation.” (J. Willett,
2015,p. 1).

3. } Impact of lack of environmental policy
protections on the well being of people living
in poverty:
◦ exacerbation of poverty itself –loss of income
◦ lack of access to water and sanitation
◦ disease
◦ increased vulnerability to natural and manmade
disasters.

4. } In Flint Michigan, poisoned water affected low
income populations
} Environmental degradation in Haiti has
increased vulnerability to natural disasters,
leading to loss of livelihoods, disease, and
many deaths
} In Hartford, Connecticut, a huge landfill
mountain was built next to one of the poorer
neighborhoods in the city and one with a
largely African-American population.

5. } Heavy rains cause floods only in the slums of
Nairobi; drainage systems prevented this in
wealthy areas
} Slums lack waste management systems, but
these are provided in wealthy areas
} Poor live closer to polluting factories, but
rarely got jobs in these facilities, bearing the
costs but not the benefits

6. } According to African Population and Health
Research Center, poor drainage is a problem in
many slum areas.
} Drainage problems aggravate poverty by
impeding travel, sometimes preventing children
from going to school, and contributing to disease
from mosquitoes and sewage backup
} In worst cases, flooding occurs. As Willett
concluded: “hazards that seem natural are not
natural at all; they are caused by human actions”
(or perhaps inactions)

7. } 2030 Agenda is based on idea of
importance of social, economic and
environmental policies
} Can we achieve synergy between the two
important goals of reducing poverty and
improving the environment through
public policy?
} Or, are poverty reduction/development
goals necessarily at odds with
environmental protection?

8. } Some argue that preserving the environment
is inherently harmful to development and
economic growth.
} In the U.S., and perhaps elsewhere,
environmental policies that limit drilling, set
aside lands as preserves, require stricter
emissions standards or encourage alternative
sources of energy are often challenged as
harming needed development and “killing
jobs.”

9. } Efficient cook stoves in Pakistan-- saved
households fuel costs, reduced pollution
from wood fires and saved forest resources—
having positive impacts of both poverty and
environment.
} Project in Fiji engaged women living in
poverty (and eventually men too) in
establishing a craft industry using discarded
plastic trash that was fouling the
environment. Project improved the
environment and increased incomes.

10. } First, ensure that environment remains on the
poverty eradication agenda. In spite of the
2030 Agenda, it is often still neglected.
} Change the narrative from environment or
development to environment and
development as complementary and
achievable
} Work on ways to scale up local projects that
work to reduce poverty while preserving
environment