Technology & Environmental Justice

The American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Enrionment, Energy, and Resources’ Special Committee on Environmental Justice (SCEJ), which I co-chair, is spearheading a series of programs to connect the tech sector with environmental lawyers and introduce environmental justice concepts. This is an important connection to make now because technologies developed today will impact everyone’s lives and livelihoods.

Protecting Impacted Communities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) defines environmental justice as the “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.”

Examples of environmental justice issues are widespread and varied. Environmental justice communities (EJCs) may be located near facilities that emit air pollution and contaminate water, or they may be surrounded by highways and, as a result, experience higher levels of air and noise pollution than other citizens. EJCs are disproportionately impacted by climate change, as witnessed in the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina, and more recently, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

The tech sector is developing new modes of transportation, improving cities, and collecting data, but vulnerable communities  need to be included in the conversation early on—even at the design stage—to ensure their needs are considered. Through the special committee, my colleagues and I are working with multiple stakeholders to identify opportunities and help the tech sector recognize potential benefits and impacts for EJCs.

For example, we are organizing an event that will bring together tech sector representatives, utilities and renewable energy representatives and environmental lawyers to discuss technologies such as microgrids, renewables, and the intersection of tech with public utilities. We are working with tech sector associations and attorney organizations to identify other topics and partners for this and future programming.

Smart Cities

Smart cities use data to solve problems from pollution to crime to detecting leaking pipes and identifying housing at high risk for fires. These cities also use Internet of Things technology such as sensors that identify traffic patterns—reducing traffic congestion can improve air quality and reduce noise pollution in EJCs. Another opportunity is the use of microgrids, like Brooklyn’s LO3 solar energy program, to measure consumption and lower bills. Although not currently being used in low-income communities, “wind trees” and other small-scale approaches to utilizing wind energy could be installed on balconies and in backyards to supply clearer, lower-cost energy.

High-Tech Materials

Developing new approaches for reducing heat, such albedo materials (materials that reflect sunlight and thereby reduce heat absorption), would help lower temperatures in cities. This is particularly important for the young, the elderly, and for low-income communities, all of which tend to be more susceptible to extreme heat.

Autonomous Vehicles

Depending on the design and usage, electric and autonomous vehicles can be environmentally preferable by lowering carbon and other emissions than conventional vehicles. While generally marketed to middle- and upper-income consumers, the private sector should be aware that lower income communities could benefit from these technology developments as well. For example, electric public transit could lower the pollution in cities while providing transportation to those without their own vehicles.

Resilient Cities

Resilience is the ability of a city to maintain services, adapt, and grow, even when faced with crises, emergencies, and extreme weather events. This is important for businesses, but also for vulnerable EJCs, which, as noted earlier, tend to be disproportionately impacted by climate change. The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions recognizes the importance of partnerships between municipalities and businesses to develop resilient cities, but EJCs should not be excluded from these planning discussions.

Citizen Science and Data Collection

Right-to-know laws have been around for years, providing public access to information about releases to the environment or chemicals in the workplace. However, citizen science—research undertaken or augmented by volunteer lay citizens—has become more commonplace and sophisticated with the increased availability and affordability of sensors that allow continuous, real-time data collection. These technologies put information in the hands of residents, empowering them to make decisions about their communities.For example, Chicago residents have used sensors to measure air quality, weather conditions, light, vibration, and magnetic fields, and microphones for detecting decibel levels.

By collecting data, communities learn about how these data points change over time, recognize patterns, and potentially find solutions to reduce adverse impacts. Tech companies can continue to perfect these types of sensors to collect better data that could be submitted to government agencies or developed into a portfolio for a community. Imagine such a monitor made for citizens to track water quality from their taps!

Conclusion

Environmental justice could be facilitated by the effective utilization of technology to eliminate disproportionate impacts on communities. Starting that conversation today is critically important as the way we live is changing dramatically with new technologies. The ABA’s Special Committee on Environmental Justice will jumpstart that conversation, building a relationship with tech companies and aiding in the development of useful technologies.

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Jennifer K. Wills is member of the Master of Natural Resources (MNR) faculty at Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability. She co-chairs the American Bar Association’s Special Committee on Environmental Justice, raising awareness of the impact of technology on environmental justice, including use of technology for citizen science. She has served for more than 14 years in EPA’s Office of General Counsel where she has balanced regulation with private sector governance to ensure a healthy environment for people and innovation.

This work is not a product of the United States Government or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author is not doing this work in anygovernmental capacity. The views expressed are her own and do not necessarily represent those of the United States or U.S. EPA.