Second generation of EJ practices

Charles Lee uses the concept of "second-generation of EJ practice" to signal a shift in the kinds of tools and methods required to characterize cumulative impacts of intersecting environmental burdens as a core organizing principle to the analysis of systemic injustices (especially racism) in the distribution of disproprtionate harm.

If the first generation of EJ practice involved identiying and quantifying factors that contribute to disproportionate impacts, the second generation of EJ practice involves nuanced & fine-grained mapping afforded by tools like CalEnviroScreen and EPA EJScreen. Both tools are organized around the concept of characterizing and mapping cumulative, disproportionate impacts. 

For examples of how second-generation EJ practice is driving regulatory change: 

• New Jersey S-232 legislation: According to NJ Spotlight News,  "The legislation (S-232) requires the state Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the environmental and public health impacts on vulnerable communities when reviewing permit applications for certain new facilities such as gas-fired power plants, incinerators, sewage plants, landfills and others. It’s touted as the strongest law of its kind in the nation." 
• California SB-535 legislation: The legislation "incorporated environmental factors as a critical piece of determining social disadvantage" (Lee 2021, p. 14) mandates that 25% of the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund benefit disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged communities are defined as "the top 25% scoring areas from CalEnviroScreen along with other areas with high amounts of pollution and low populations." (OEHHA)