Sri Vedachalam, Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience, spoke to us today about environmental justice and current strategies for the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders with our work.
To understand the current landscape, he first pointed to the Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968 – the first time African Americans mobilized a broad-based, national group to oppose environmental injustices. The movement drew Dr. Martin Luther King to Memphis three times, with the last trip unfortunately culminating in his assassination, and resulted in improved labor conditions and wages.
“Environmental justice is now recognized as a critical component of environmental projects,” explains Sri Vedachalam.
Listen to an excerpt from Sri's presentation below.
