Environmental Writing Assignments - Getting started

The use of this blog in class will require you to post your thoughts and comments throughout the year as part of the "Written Assignments" portion of the course outline. In order to post to this blog you need to have a user account set up. Your first assignment is to create an account at www.blogger.com Follow the instructions for creating an account and make sure that your username and display name are something that you will remember, but are also something that could not be used to personally identify you. I also recommend that you e-mail your log-in information to yourself, so that you can easily access your blog. After you have set up your account, email me your display name (this is the name that your posts will be signed with and may be the same as your username if you choose) so I can identify you and give you credit for your assignments and postings throughout the year. Please complete this assignment by Friday February 8, 2008.

Written Assignment #1

The dramatic achievements of Public Health in the 20th century have improved our quality of life: an increase in life expectancy, world wide reduction in infant and child mortality, and the elimination or reduction of many communicable diseases.

Climate change, acid rain, depletion of the ozone layer, species extinction--all of these issues point to one thing: environmental health is a global issue that concerns all nations of the world. Now add environmental justice to the list. From South Bronx to Soweto, from Penang to El Paso, communities all over the world are finding commonality in their experiences and goals in seeking environmental justice.

How has Public Health awareness improved the quality of life in the last century? What is environmental justice? Describe how it has influenced public health and our overall quality of life.

Write a comment to this post by February 29, 2008. You must include a minimum of two (2) reputable (not Wikipedia) on-line sources.