Environmental Defense created www.scorecard.org in 1998 to inform people about pollution levels in their area and encourage them to take action by lobbying industries and contacting elected representatives to address pollution.
Using Technology to Monitor Environmental Hazards
The organization uses advanced technology to gather information from over 300 scientific and governmental databases. With this data, Scorecard reviews and categorizes information about various environmental hazards, such as air pollutants, toxic chemicals, and potential land contamination. Scorecard then posts this information on its website, showing pollution locations, sources, discovery dates, applicable government guidelines, and the current status of cleanup efforts.
Visitors to the site can access this data in several formats. The most popular format allows users to enter their zip code to see the pollutants present in their area. Other formats rank states based on specific pollutants. The site also lists over 6,000 chemicals, with descriptions of their dangers and sources.
Encouraging Public Action and Community Involvement
Scorecard encourages visitors to take action by faxing letters to polluting companies, writing to their representatives, or volunteering with local organizations working on environmental issues in their community.
Scorecard.org shows the potential of technology to empower communities by providing accessible, localized data on environmental hazards. By aggregating data from numerous sources and presenting it in a user-friendly format, Environmental Defense helps people understand pollution in their own neighborhoods and motivates them to take action. This tactic can be adapted to various contexts by applying a similar model to other issues, like crime statistics, healthcare disparities, or economic conditions. By enabling people to access transparent data and take direct actions, this approach builds awareness and mobilizes communities to advocate for change and hold accountable those responsible.
New Tactics in Human Rights does not advocate for or endorse specific tactics, policies or issues.
