Understanding that environmental justice exists at the intersection of environmentalism and structural racism, we are committed to using data to bridge the digital infrastructure gap between overburdened communities and access to lasting, equitable forms of climate and environmental relief.
It is difficult to discern whether the lack of data on a specific problem is evidence of absence of the problem, or an absence of evidence collected around the problem. The implications of this are profound, as it may skew conclusions about which communities are truly disadvantaged. Data, broadly speaking, can be an indicator of digital connectivity and therefore, no data may be an indicator of an unconnected, vulnerable population. We support initiatives to empower community engagement and use of best-available data to overcome environmental justice issues.
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Environmental Justice as a concept and a movement has always demanded and relied on high quality data and methods for research and action.
The Justice40 Initiative is no exception: programs across differing agencies will be reporting on a similar set of parameters, with overlapping sets of data and technology needs. Without significant investment in the digital infrastructure of local, state and federal agencies, a critical gap will remain to effectively and efficiently execute the Administration’s vision.
This lack of programmatically tailored technology and staffing means that the Administration and agency staff responsible for Justice40 will likely utilize out-of-date, and perhaps contradictory information, operate in unnecessary silos, or suffer from an inability to collaborate due to an absence of common digital infrastructure. Further, accessing a data collection hinges upon a user’s internet speed and strength, computer literacy skills, and the ability to interpret data once obtained.
We are working to address these technological barriers to meet, and exceed, the Justice40 goals.
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Recognizing that many environmental and climate justice communities go unrecognized—and thus, unsupported—due to lack of evidence collected, we ground our environmental justice work in the advancement of these goals:
Advancing the creation of a robust digital infrastructure to track environmental justice funding at the federal and state levels, and to itemize expenditures once funding is distributed.
Designing easily accessible and up-to-date tools that can (1) inform where relevant operations are permitted, (2) identify the environmental harms associated with an operation once permitted, and (3) prioritize communities overburdened by these permitted operations to receive government investments.
By upholding these goals, and operating with an equity lens by addressing our biases and improving our processes, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the elimination of climate and environmental injustice. Please see our environmental justice initiatives and related projects below.
Our Initiatives
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The Water Data Prize
EPIC’s Water Data Prize has recognized outstanding advancements two years in a row that have spurred innovation towards safe drinking water and accessible, effective communication practices to know if your water is safe to drink - or not.
Explore ideas and recommendations relevant to your city’s journey towards improved water quality communications and quickly and equitably removing toxic lead water pipes.
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Understanding How JUSTICE40 Projects Are Prioritized
In partnership with Beech Hill Research and ClimateXChange, we are researching how state decision-makers are navigating federal funding opportunities with or for Environmental Justice communities. Through qualitative research, we’ll explore how they are navigating the guidelines definitions, maps and resources to identify and prioritize Environmental Justice, EJ and Disadvantaged Communities.
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Tracking Progress Towards 100% Lead Free Water
We believe that we can replace all of the toxic lead water pipes in this country in ten years. With the $15 billion dedicated to doing so through the IIJA this seems more doable than ever. We are closely tracking where these funds are being spent to ensure it reaches the communities that need it the most - and quickly.
Partner with us on this work, track our recommendations, and learn more about lead pipe replacement efforts below.
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We’re Falling Short On Measuring Environmental Justice Efforts—Better Tools Can Help.
Delivering on Environmental Justice (EJ) for historically underserved and pollution-burdened communities requires all hands—and data—on deck. That’s why EPIC built an Environmental Justice (EJ) Tool Inventory. We hope this tool serves as a starting point for building a culture of connection and collaboration around EJ tools.
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Environmental Justice Data Recommendations
We regularly respond to RFIs. Most recently, we’ve commented on the U.S. Department of Environmental Quality’s Beta Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) and Environmental Justice Scorecard.
Review our most recent comments, see our partners, and explore our Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool below.
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Simplifying Knowing Where Your Water Comes From
In collaboration with SimpleLab, the Internet of Water Coalition, and through dialogue with over 120 academic, nonprofit, for-profit, and government partners, we created the first national dataset of drinking water service area boundaries.
See where your water comes from, and explore our State Playbook on how to refine drinking water service area boundaries below.
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Data for Environmental Justice Investments
As sustainability scientists, data scientists, economists, and experts working at the intersection of policy and environmental justice, we see great potential to improve the data and methodology used to inform the Justice40 initiative.
We analyzed the current tools for the Justice40 initiative and provided recommendations for how to more meaningfully track environmental justice.
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Reforming State Revolving Fund (SRF) Policies
Water systems serving low-income communities often need assistance to invest in infrastructure, but those same communities are less likely to access federal funds. We work to eliminate these disparities by reforming State Revolving Fund policies.
Read more about water disparities in the United States and our State Revolving Fund projects below.
Publications
