Core Values
Our community-based approach is guided by our core values:
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| photo by Kat Pinette |
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Community right-to-know: ACAT believes that everyone has a right to know about the health and environmental hazards of chemicals that are present in our air, water, and soil, as well as in foods.
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Environmental justice: Recognizing that people of color and the poor are disproportionately harmed by the siting and toxic releases from military and industrial facilities, ACAT seeks to remedy this through community-based research and advocacy.
Principles of Environmental Justice
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Precautionary principle: The precautionary principle guides us to protect health by preventing exposures to harmful chemicals. If toxics are present and suspected to cause health problems, we believe ways to limit and avoid unnecessary exposure to those chemicals should be taken. The precautionary principle means that it is “better to be safe than sorry.”
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Elimination of the production and release of toxics: Phase out and replace chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative, and harmful to health with safe alternatives.
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Rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples
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Culture of caring and wellness
