Empowering environmentally-burdened communities in the US: A primer on the emerging role for information technology1

1. This paper was prepared with a Research Experiences for Undergraduates supplemental grant from the National Science Foundation (EIA 0113718, Amendment No. 001 ‘ITR/PE: Digital Citizenship: Expanding Information Technology Literacy with a Service-Learning Approach’). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Science Foundation.

Abstract

This article is a primer on the emerging role for Information Technology (IT) in the Environmental Justice (EJ) movement. It explores current and potential uses of IT by EJ organisations fighting to protect vulnerable local environments and it addresses some of the barriers to more widespread movement efficacy via e-advocacy. We argue a chief but not insurmountable barrier is the disproportionate access to, and knowledge of, the benefits of using IT in the struggle for equitable decisions about environmental impacts.

Notes

1. This paper was prepared with a Research Experiences for Undergraduates supplemental grant from the National Science Foundation (EIA 0113718, Amendment No. 001 ‘ITR/PE: Digital Citizenship: Expanding Information Technology Literacy with a Service-Learning Approach’). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Science Foundation.