ACAT Environmental Health and Justice Course Supports Communities

This summer, IPEN Participating Organization Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) held an Environmental Health and Justice Course at their Community-Based Research Institute on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Residents of Gambell and Savoonga were invited to attend. The goals of the course were to prevent harmful exposure in communities, empower residents to do their own local research and advocate for policy changes, and promote collaboration together in communitites and with other organizations and communities. Participants learned how to test water and sediment quality, studied macroinvertebrates, and discussed the risks related to exposures to toxics. In turn, participating scientists gleaned important local knowledge and wisdom from community members.

To hear a radio interview with members of ACAT and community residents, see the KNOM radio page here.