Greening the city/ chap 1

Both chapter one of environmental justice and greening the city discuss environmentalism as it relates to the poor. In greening the city different methods of creating a green city are discussed. The author argues these methods although occasionally, the benefits are good enough to outweigh the cost. Additionally the different methods will help low income people by lowering costs for items such as heat and food. Agyeman connects lower income with bad environmental conditions, claiming that groups need to refocus on social equity/justice in addition to sustainability.

The connect between low income and poor living conditions is no surprise. Those who have less money often also have less rights, time, or money to put into fixing the problems of their community .Therefore it is much easier for outside people to take advantage of the poor neighborhoods by doing things such as dumping in the community. Although there is a definite connection in the problem, the issue (which was the same one I had last week and still feel is relevant) is how are the solutions connected? Agyeman suggests that environmental organizations reshaping their focus on justice will work, but if the issues are coming largely from outside the community some of the proposed solutions may be being focused in the wrong place. On the other hand comparing hte two different articles sustainable communities brings up many solutions to creating healtyer environments that do help the poor (bridging the gap between environmentalism and equity) such as creating gardens which help by providing cheaper food. The other idea that sustainable communities brings up is the idea of environmental incentives. Both on the large scale of the government making laws which promote different forms of green building, and that on the smaller personal level of decreasing cost is a much more effective way of creating change than trying to change for moral reasons.

Although both articles bring up very valid points both have issues. Agyeman discusses the connection between equity and sustainability but many of his points actually show the opposite. His examples are mostly problems and not solutions, although he claims connection between both. Greening the city skims over some arguments, like in the case of where it states the benefits outdo the costs but doesn't really give data to back this up. Also with some of the methods there is dispute on the effectiveness (such as in the case of the green roof where the actual amount that it creates insulation is debated). Despite these facts both authors give a good showing of the connections between poor environmental conditions and the poor, and also show the amount this is forced onto them.