GREENFIELD — The Human Rights Commission is inviting the public to begin a discussion Monday evening on the subject of environmental justice and the nature gap.
“I’ve been watching what’s happening to the Green River, especially since Greenfield closed the pumping station to swimming,” explained Wendy Goodman, a member of the Human Rights Commission. “I’ve seen how we’ve moved a lot of heavy traffic upriver to really sensitive (and unprotected) areas, and I got really concerned.”
In Greenfield and surrounding towns, she said, free and easy access to the river has been curtailed, with non-residents fielding the brunt of the cost. Goodman added that having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was declared a human right in 2021 by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
“As we talked about this and the mission of the Human Rights Commission … it became, ‘How can we educate people about the nature gap?’” Goodman recalled. “The forum is really meant to make awareness, educate, ask questions and see if (the conversation) is something we want to continue. If people want to continue the conversation, the Human Rights Commission will host that.”
The forum, which will take place both in person from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday at the John Zon Community Center at 35 Pleasant St. and virtually via Zoom, is intended to get participants thinking about their relationship with the environment. Remote participation can be accessed via Zoom at bit.ly/3GzkMAw.
“It’s a time that we’re re-evaluating what we want in this town, whether it’s with public safety, environmental justice or the rights of nature,” she said. “We need to think differently, and a big part of that is our relationship with the natural environment.”
City department heads, including Community and Economic Development Director MJ Adams, Energy and Sustainability Director Carole Collins and Recreation Director Christy Moore, have been invited to share efforts the city has made to address the nature gap. Other presenters include Neenah Estrella-Luna of StarLuna Consulting, who will speak to environmental justice as a human right, and Kristen Sykes of the Appalachian Mountain Club, who will focus on the nature gap.
Goodman said the forum will be an opportunity for people to ask questions and offer their own opinions.
“I hope people learn what environmental justice is and how much the city is trying to work on and ameliorate some of the problems,” she said. “I hope people will feel they have more of a voice and an understanding of how we’re working and living in our environment, and that there are human rights to that.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne