What is the most just way to balance our energy and economic needs, human and environmental health, and protection of sacred lands? This is a very complicated issue that is  currently being widely debated in our country. There are many differing opinions due to personal interests, and complete satisfaction of all parties will be difficult to reach. However, careful analysis of the issues involved, from multiple perspectives, sheds light on a path toward a just balance.

 

The bottom line is that, as a modern society, we have energy and economic needs. What are our energy and economic needs? Well, we need sources of energy that will heat our houses, run our cars, and turn on our lights. Currently, our main power source is fossil fuels and natural gas, which are nonrenewable energy sources, but they are also currently the most accessible and convenient way to produce the amount of energy our country demands. In addition, the oil and gas industry provides around 10 million jobs in the United states alone. But, this is not a sustainable energy source, and in order to balance our economic needs with the health of the environment, we need to make some changes. 

 

The most realistic way to do this, in my opinion, would be to start implementing renewable energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric, and wind energy. This isn’t an overnight change, it would take a lot of time and effort to make a transition to renewable energy sources, and we would need to find a way to replace millions of jobs provided by the oil and gas industry. However, it is something that we need to begin as soon as possible if we want to have any chance at reversing the effect of climate change and preserving our earth for future generations. 

 

The environment is not the only thing that we need to protect when it comes to environmental justice. Environmental racism is the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color, and it is a big problem in the United States (and the world) right now. Until environmental racism is addressed, our economic and environmental policies will not be just. Communities with high amounts of people of color are being disproportionately exposed to pollution and toxic or hazardous waste because of redlining. In Environmental Ethics, Joseph Dejardins states, “There is a racial divide in the way the U.S. government cleans us toxic waste sites and punishes polluters. White communities see faster action, better results, and stiffer penalties than communities where blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities live.” One example of this is Cancer Alley in Louisiana. “‘Cancer Alley’ is an 85 mile-long stretch of the Mississippi river lined with oil refineries and petrochemical plants, between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. People living in the area are more than 50 times as likely to get cancer than the average American.” And the communities closest to the chemicals and pollution are predominantly African American communities. This is a problem in many other areas too, where asthma rates are much higher in people of color in cities across the U.S. due to exposure to pollution and chemicals. 

 

For Native Americans, environmental injustice comes in the form of oil and gas operations interfering with sacred lands. Examples of this are the Dakota Access Pipeline and Bears Ears National Monument where oil and gas operations are occurring on the sacred lands of the Native Americans and causing pollution. Implementing the principles of environmental justice will help create a more balanced policy on tribal lands. The principles state, “Environmental Justice must recognize a special legal and natural relationship of Native Peoples to the U.S. government through treaties, agreements, compacts, and covenants affirming sovereignty and self-determination.” If this principle is applied, Native American people will have the power to make their own decisions that respect their sacred land and health. 

 

There is no perfect solution to address all of these concerns, but I believe we can achieve a more balanced system that promotes environmental justice. After analyzing the issues, my opinion is that we should begin a transition toward sustainable energy sources immediately, as pollution and climate change are very real issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible to protect the environment. This is a way to meet our energy needs, preserve jobs, and protect the environment. Conservation should be implemented into all oil and gas operations and any other energy source operations so that the land can be regenerated and used again. This will become more feasible when renewable energy is implemented. And when it comes to sacred lands, they should be preserved all together. Sacred lands should be untouched other than by the people who the lands are sacred to. And lastly, all people should be given equal opportunities regardless of race or economic status when it comes to where they live, and the health issues that that causes. As the principles of environmental justice state, “Environmental Justice demands that public policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all peoples, free from any form of discrimination or bias.” This is in no way perfect, but it is the most just way to balance energy and the economy, human and environmental wellbeing, and sacred lands in my opinion.