Barriers to Equal Access

[Fred Stoss <fstoss@acsu.buffalo.edu>]

Paul Orum writes, "However, experience suggests that non-profit environmental, community, and social justice groups in particular act as 'catalysts' in interpreting environmental hazards to wider audiences. The news media and public officials also play this role to a different degree. I suggest looking at well-organized computer databases not in terms of HOW information is communicated, but WHAT information people are able to communicate, in particular these 'catalysts' for social dialogue."

If this is to happen, nonprofits, community, and social justice groups MUST have some fundamental knowledge of the science, technology, and the policy that is involved in the process of making specific decisions about the environment. This requires an investment of time and effort to have an understanding of the science behind the issues. What role does the EPA (or other groups)play in increasing not our awareness to environmental issues and concerns, but to educating stakeholders on the scientific and technical aspects of the issue and the rules of engagement for developing policies?

Fred Stoss