Maggie Stutz, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Anchorage, Alaska. This summer, I will be working with Alaska Community Action on Toxics. This organization endeavors to further Alaskan’s human right to a healthy environment, bodily health, and knowledge. The United Nations acknowledges that access to a clean environment, water, air, and physical health are human rights. This summer, I will be working to ensure these rights are protected and bring justice to those denied them.
Alaska Community Action on Toxics has conducted community-based research in the North East Cape and Sivuqaq communities. Elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, and other toxic chemicals have been found in the watershed at an abandoned defense site. Chemicals have also been found in the Suqi and Tapisaggak rivers, drinking water, food, and in the air. I will study the health effects of exposure to these chemicals and determine measures to protect the people in the North East Cape from these toxins. We will work to restore the Suqi river, ensuring people’s right to a clean environment and water.
I will help analyze health effects and investigate the amount of these chemicals in the North East Cape environment. I will research the reparations process, putting together an argument with legal precedent and law, for the community of Sivuqaq. I will explain how the government has violated human rights by polluting the water and land.
I will also participate in the “Protecting Future Generations” project, which partners with the Field Sampling Institute in Nome, to research PCBs and flame retardants in the environment. We will put together a summit, informational sheets, and toolkits for community members. There will be community meetings where scientists, researchers, and working groups will discuss the results in a way that is accessible to anyone.
My project connects to human rights because this research brings a scientific base for claims of health problems directly caused by toxic chemicals from military bases. This research will provide evidence and a factual basis to build a case against the United States government and its violation of this community’s right to a safe and clean environment and health. Moreover, this project educates community members about their environment. The health effects and damage have been done, now the government needs to clean up their mess, and give the people affected reparations and access to healthcare to build better lives.