Environmental injustice is a concept that has affected the lives of groups of people. In the United States racial minorities, women and economically disadvantaged areas are all affected by environmental injustice. In an effort to aid people who are affected by these environmental injustices the United States Environmental Protection Agency has made the commitment to ensure the “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” The severity of this issue is not one that should be native to students of the University. Surprisingly few students know about Walnut Creek.  

In the spring of 2002 NC State and North Carolina Sea Grant began a three-phase stream restoration which would Rocky Branch “an urban creek that runs more than a mile through the heart of the university’s campus.” Rocky Branch, which runs into Walnut Creek, has already had more than $3 million invested into it according to NC State University.

Walnut Creek is a wetland park which is located in Southeast Raleigh just minutes away from the campus. The pollution that collects in this area, as a dumping garbage into this area has an effect on the ocean systems. Southeast Raleigh may seem far from the campus, but Walnut Creek can still end up having a long term affect on the school. While most college students may not have the type of money that has been invested into Rocky Branch there are many other options that students can look into to keep this problem under control.  

In 2008 during the North Carolina Big Sweep clean-up, WRAL.com reported that four sofa chairs, 125 tires, a stroller and five televisions were all removed from the area with the help of just seven volunteers. With more than 30,000 students at the University, the results could be much bigger than that. Environmental injustice does not just affect the people who live in those areas. With a diverse population most of the student body population comes from areas that like Raleigh have their own examples of environmental injustice that is slowly polluting their home towns.  

As the largest university in the state, NCSU is often watched by the media and the North Carolina community. The student body has the power to change people’s perception of environmental injustice so that the goals that have been set by EPA can soon be met. The pollution that is caused by the toxins and waste that destroy areas around the world has an effect on drinking water, the health of people living near those areas and the perception of the city in general.

Students have the power to help Raleigh change the world, and it can start with cleaning up Walnut Creek.  

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