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​​​​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. For the purposes of completing requirements in line with the environmental justice goals of Executive Orders 14057 and 14096, she has also been identified as a supporting subject matter expert.

“I hope to really shine light on the great work being done towards environmental justice and further connect the NIH mission with the environmental justice movement,” she nods, “ensuring NIH operations do not disproportionately impact marginalized communities or further contribute to any legacy pollution and hazards, and also delivering research to not just prevent harm, but also correct and adjust the different impacts experienced.”

While the current EJ mandates are new, the NIH is no stranger to this topic. Lucy is well aware of the critical role the NIH has played in bolstering EJ commitments throughout the government, especially through the establishment of NIMHD, NIEHS, NICHD and various smaller divisions and departments within all the ICOs. She is interested in and optimistic about the opportunities that the executive orders represent, both to highlight efforts already completed and pave the way for new improvements in the future. 

“Consideration to EJ leads to a more informed and socially aware workforce,” she says, “Hopefully this will be reflected in NIH research and influence how staff interact with their workplace, creating a more conscientious environment.”

The brunt of the progress has been through the wide-scale efforts of the ICOs and operations-based collaboration with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This NEPA collaboration manifests as increased analysis and neutralization of waste and energy byproducts from construction, operations, decommissioning and other organizational actions. This ensures that the effects of these byproducts do not impact the environment, neither on-site nor in disadvantage communities with which the effects may have normally been diverted. EJ efforts also push to make this process more transparent, so that communities that may be impacted by these factors can make informed decisions.

Although much of this progress has been on an agency level, Lucy is confident that even individual workers can have impacts on environmental justice as well. This can be done through staying informed on current environmental justice events, reducing potentially harmful waste where possible and considering what unique ways EJ principals can be further integrated into one’s work.

Lucy leaves us with her core thoughts on why environmental justice is important:

“I believe all people are entitled to a safe living environment, one free of harm. I think any entity or being that threatens that right must be held accountable. Environmental justice helps deliver an avenue for those that may be voiceless or not have much ability to implement change due to different social constructs…it's not just a win for environmental protection, but also health equity.”

For the full transcript, click here​.

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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. Environmental justice is important to the NIH and Federal Government, as outlined in E.O. 14096. LEA​RN MORE​​​​

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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.