Recent studies have highlighted environmental disparities affecting various communities. Statistics indicate that individuals living near hazardous waste sites are predominantly from minority groups, and exposure to particulate matter is significantly higher among Black/African-American populations compared to the general populace.
In response to these challenges, Apple and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are actively engaging in efforts to address these environmental and socioeconomic issues. Their initiatives aim to raise awareness and provide solutions to mitigate environmental impacts on marginalized communities while exploring potential business opportunities in the environmental sector.
Lisa P. Jackson, Apple’s VP of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, and Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, recently led a discussion at a technology conference in Austin. Their talk focused on the nexus of environmental protection, technological advancements, and social equity. They highlighted evolving environmental policies, climate strategies, and the importance of diversity in decision-making.
Following their panel at Afrotech, Jackson and Regan discussed various aspects of environmental justice. Their conversation, edited for clarity and brevity, shed light on the EPA’s current initiatives and future plans.
Profile: Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator
Michael S. Regan, appointed as the 16th Administrator of the EPA on March 11, 2021, made history as the first Black man and second person of color to lead the agency. His prior role as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality saw him spearheading initiatives against climate change, promoting clean energy, and addressing environmental contamination. He was instrumental in establishing North Carolina’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board.
Under Regan’s leadership, the EPA has emphasized environmental justice and equitable access to the growing environmental industry. The agency has introduced various initiatives to support minority-owned businesses through funding, resources, and strategic planning. The EPA’s commitment to safeguarding human health and the environment encompasses policy development, grants, environmental research, and educational programs.
Interview Excerpts with Michael Regan
Stephanie Tharpe, inquiring about opportunities for Black tech startups in environmental safety, asked about potential areas needing innovation. Regan emphasized the substantial prospects for Black Tech in setting technology standards and reducing pollution through innovation. He highlighted the EPA’s investment in startups and minority communities, underscoring the market’s potential for both societal impact and profitability.
Discussing environmental justice, Regan defined it as the right of every community, regardless of economic status or ethnicity, to have equal protection from pollution and hazardous conditions. He elaborated on the Biden administration’s approach, which includes establishing a national program office with authority on par with other environmental departments, focusing on environmental justice and equity. This office is tasked with ensuring that funding dedicated to environmental justice initiatives reaches communities that have historically lacked resources, aiming for a lasting institutional change.
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