But wait , you might say , aren ’ t those facilities safer than oil refineries ?
Maybe , Bullard said . But the communities in which they ’ re placed must have the right to refuse them . Or , if they ’ re built , those communities should benefit from the jobs they create or the energy they produce .
Political victories and funding packages can be short-lived , however , without constant pressure from the public , Bullard said . People must continue pushing for political , economic , climate and environmental justice together because they ’ re all connected .
“ Vote , vote vote . Make our elected officials accountable ,” he said . “ We have to do it , there ’ s too much at stake .”
Conrad Swanson : 206-464-3805 or cswanson @ seattletimes . com ; Conrad covers climate change and its intersection with environmental and political issues .
Source :
https :// www . seattletimes . com / seattle‐news / climate‐lab / what‐is‐environmental‐justice‐and‐why‐itmatters‐in‐a‐climate‐crisis