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                                                                                                                                                                                                                       SUBSCRIBE                   PREVIOUS ISSUES​

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​​​​Environmental Justice in Executive Order 14096

​​​​Environmental justice is a concept that addresses the fair and equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, particularly with respect to marginalized and disadvantaged communities. It highlights the intersection of environmental issues, social justice and human rights, recognizing that certain communities, often low-income and minority populations, disproportionately bear the negative impacts of environmental degradation, pollution and hazardous activities.^1​ 

This concept of environmental justice is one of deep significance not only to the NIH, but to the Federal Government. It has been a prominent topic of focus since Executive Order 12898 released back in 1994.² In this article, we will explore Executive Order 14096, as well as its potential impacts on our operations and the way we view our work.

EO 14096 has a list of goals it wishes to accomplish to mitigate environmental justice disparities nationwide. It begins by establishing helpful definitions, then goes into a “whole-of-government approach” perspective, proposing inclusion of environmental justice pursuits in all executive branch agency activities and calling for increased transparency via the implementation of Environmental Justice scorecards.² Alongside financial, scientific and resource investments into bolstering environmental justice initiatives and collecting relevant research, the EO also introduces additional guidance associated with the Justice40 Initiative, which was initially announced in EO 14008.^3​ 

The Justive40 Initiative is a government-wide campaign that aims to redistribute 40% of government investment benefits to disadvantaged communities experiencing environmental injustice. Potential Justice40 investments include clean energy and transit, affordable sustainability and housing, and remediation of legacy pollution, among many other infrastructural, economic and environmental restorative areas. This initiative is a combination of transforming existing federal programs and collaborating with communities to create new ones in order to implement positive change.^4​

The NIH has already had an extensive history with contributing to research around and investments in environmental justice, such as the many programs offered by the NIMHD. These forward strides have been greatly supported by the efforts and results of NIEHS and NIMHD. As an organization, the NIH has still more to contribute, and much of these progressive steps are being discussed in the new Cross-NIH Environmental Justice Strategic Actions Working Group, led by Dr. Trevor Archer and supporting staff from NIEHS. 

Here at the NIH, our mission is “to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability”.⁵ While our front-most efforts have a very palpable and positive impact on the world, it is also significant that we continue to acknowledge and reduce what ripples the byproducts of our actions could have in disadvantaged communities.

Click here to review the Executive Order 14096 Fact Sheet.

Click here to review the Justice40 Initiative​.​​

​Spotlight                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Environmental Justice with Lucy Aistis ​​​Lucy Aistis currently operates as an Environmental Protection Specialist for the ORF Division of Environmental Protection. She is also deeply involved in the division’s front-line efforts towards bolstering NIH’s environmental justice (EJ) initiatives.​ LEA​RN MORE​​​​

​​Take Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

​	Visit the 2023 NIH Green Labs Fair! ​ ​The NIH Green Labs Fair returns to an in-person format this year on September 19 in the Building 10 South Lobby from 10am to 2pm!​ Join us to discover new green lab products and learn about green practices and NIH sustainability programs. LEARN MORE​​

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? ​Participating in Car Free Day on September 22 is a great way to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about the impact your environmental choices can have both at home and work​, please visit the NEMS Training webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.