Positive News US is a free, not for profit newspaper published four times a year in Ithaca, NY. We report on successful projects around the world in the areas of sustainability, social equality, education and happiness, with a clear message that "another world is possible."
more...
| a part of Positive News International |
Youth Group Acts to Eliminate Industrial Waste Dumping...and WINS! |
| Annie Lova |
EAST PALO ALTO, CA - At the age of 23, Annie Loya is is already a veteran in her work to eliminate hazardous waste dumping along the San Francisco Bay. She has been working to clean up her hometown's air and water since she was 13!
Today Annie, along with other members of Youth United for Community Action (YUCA), is savoring a California state order that will shut down large portions of a major hazardous waste handler located in East Palo Alto, ironically named Romic Environmental Technologies.
"Romic feels that since it is located in a community of color that they don't have to abide by regulations," said Annie recently, explaining the difficulties faced over the last decade by her youth-led environmental justice organization. "But also it is the regulatory system that is failing. The result is that there is a blind eye cast upon how businesses operate in communities like ours.
" With many late night meetings, study sessions, and public appeals, YUCA members worked hard to gain the attention of local press. When they did, it became clear that groups like Annie's can be public relations nightmare for companies that callously dump waste in cases of "environmental racism." The press followed the young activists to a demonstration at the San Francisco headquarters of the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration. A large color photo of their protest appeared on the front page of the local daily paper.
Young journalists took up the cause and wrote about YUCA in blogs and Internet articles, bringing even more attention to the issue.
It took a decade, but along the way the YUCA activists were able to draw older community organizations and environmental advocates into their campaign. When legislators began to take notice, Annie knew they were heading toward success.
Now with major industrial waste dumping in their city soon to be a thing of the past, Annie is looking forward to improved health for the residents of East Palo Alto. And YUCA activists don't plan to stop there. They want their City Council to rezone the land so that it can never be used for hazardous waste treatment again!
Youth United for Community Action
Tel. 650 322 9165
Website: www.youthunited.net
Today Annie, along with other members of Youth United for Community Action (YUCA), is savoring a California state order that will shut down large portions of a major hazardous waste handler located in East Palo Alto, ironically named Romic Environmental Technologies.
"Romic feels that since it is located in a community of color that they don't have to abide by regulations," said Annie recently, explaining the difficulties faced over the last decade by her youth-led environmental justice organization. "But also it is the regulatory system that is failing. The result is that there is a blind eye cast upon how businesses operate in communities like ours.
" With many late night meetings, study sessions, and public appeals, YUCA members worked hard to gain the attention of local press. When they did, it became clear that groups like Annie's can be public relations nightmare for companies that callously dump waste in cases of "environmental racism." The press followed the young activists to a demonstration at the San Francisco headquarters of the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration. A large color photo of their protest appeared on the front page of the local daily paper.
Young journalists took up the cause and wrote about YUCA in blogs and Internet articles, bringing even more attention to the issue.
It took a decade, but along the way the YUCA activists were able to draw older community organizations and environmental advocates into their campaign. When legislators began to take notice, Annie knew they were heading toward success.
Now with major industrial waste dumping in their city soon to be a thing of the past, Annie is looking forward to improved health for the residents of East Palo Alto. And YUCA activists don't plan to stop there. They want their City Council to rezone the land so that it can never be used for hazardous waste treatment again!
Youth United for Community Action
Tel. 650 322 9165
Website: www.youthunited.net
Announcements
What do You find hopeful in the world today? Please contribute a short paragraph and be published in Positive News. We are currently selecting...
more >
The California Edition of Positive News is well on the way! We are looking for volunteers to help make it happen. To join our team contact...
more >
