Environmental In-Justice: The Root of Our Environmental Problems

Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman will speak at 11 am Saturday, April 12 at Trinity Church Parish Hall in St. Mary's City.  The title of his talk is "Environmental In-Justice: the root of our environmental problems."  Everyday people are paying the most for pollution while those in power are getting richer by polluting. It's the system that must be changed. This event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be served. 

For more information, contact Bob Lewis at 301-862-3517 or email smwatershed@yahoo.com or visit http://www.smrwa.org/annualmeeting.html#lectureinfo

Do people have the right to pollute our environment?  

The short answer is “yes,” since much of the most damaging pollutants entering our waterways are the result of land uses granted under that broad ideal, property rights.  The farmer adds a little—the runoff from his fields carrying sediments and nutrients; the builder adds his share—more sediments eroding from disturbed grounds and steep slopes; and homeowners, like you and me, add a bit—our pets helping us with their visit to the “facilities” out-of-doors, our liberal use of chemicals cleaners, fertilizers, pesticides, and lubricants; and our extensive lawns and hardened surfaces (rooftops, driveways, decks, and patios) keeping that polluted runoff moving quickly on a direct path into ditches and streams.

Many industries are also adding pollutants to our environment with their propensity for large hardened surfaces with no opportunity for rain to go anyplace but into our rivers—at accelerated rates and carrying with it the many industrial pollutants too countless to name.  Of course there are the smokestacks, drainpipes, overflows, and sewerage that we take for granted, right? That’s the price we must pay for our vital needs and services.

Price we must pay?  Does pollution cost money?  How much? Who pays the most? (Hint below)  These questions and more will be addressed 11:00 AM Saturday, April 12 by Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman who will deliver his lecture “Environmental In-Justice: the root of our environmental problems.”

Control of our natural resources (our property) “is the core issue imbedded in environmental justice. Our economic system relies on unsustainable exploitation of the environment to create short term wealth for those with the most political power,” according to Tutman.  

This event is free and open to the public and will take place at Trinity Church Parish Hall in St. Mary’s City. (across from Kent Hall)  Lunch will be served.  For more information contact Bob Lewis at 301-862-3517 or email smwatershed@yahoo.com

(Hint: It is not the major polluters.  It is those who have the least power, the least resources to fight, and the smallest voice in our political system.)

Fred Tutman a full time environmental advocate who serves as the Patuxent Riverkeeper. Previously, as a volunteer activist, Tutman has served as the President of the Conservation Federation of Maryland during the 1990’s (a National Wildlife Federation affiliate), helped found the Environmental Fund for Maryland, served as President of the Patuxent River Civic Association, served on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources “Outdoor Caucus,” and as a Governor-appointed State Patuxent River Commissioner. He currently coordinates an annual statewide cleanup of the Patuxent River. He studied law at the David A. Clarke School of Law and also spent over 25 years working in television, radio and multi-media communications. As an environmental and community activist, Tutman has been involved in a number of civic causes related to conservation of the region’s waterways and has been a frequent presence in zoning and planning causes aimed at preserving rural lands along the Patuxent River as well as preserving the culture and social framework of farming in and near the Patuxent River.