AAEA President Norris McDonald and African Americans' Roles in Saving the Environment

McDonald: Energy prices. Traditional environmental groups favor high energy prices as a conservation tool. We disagree with this and support plentiful supplies at reasonable prices. High energy prices seriously hurt the overall economy and severely damage the African American community.

Shamontiel: What would be considered "environmental racism issues," as stated in #8 of the organizational goals? Can you provide an example of a primary area where this is being done.

McDonald: Environmental racism would include white institutions and individuals disproportionately locating pollution producing facilities and structures in Black communities. Turner's Station just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Cancer Alley in Louisiana is another example. In fact, virtually every city in the United States has probably practiced such racism at one time or another.

Shamontiel: What is AAEA doing to discourage future environmental racist issues from happening in the community?

McDonald: We drafted the Environmental Justice Act, and we are a member of the Environmental Justice Coalition that is trying to get this law passed in Congress. It would help in mitigating the environmental racism and injustice problems.

Shamontiel: With so many issues such as food prices rising, the lack of jobs, the War on Iraq, etc., why do you feel African Americans should make the environment a priority too?

McDonald: Global warming produces a more toxic smog and that affects African Americans all over America. It is the most important environmental issue facing the Earth today. And that includes the African American community.

Shamontiel: Hybrid cars are supposed to help with the environment, but there have been studies done to test how ethanol would change the economy, and with ethanol being made of corn, less corn is available for food production. If AAEA discusses this, what solution do you think could be provided to help both the Earth and the food shortage?

McDonald: We believe that ethanol production from corn has led to food price increases. Ethanol will probably also increase smog in cities if it is used more widely in society. We are not promoting ethanol from corn. We are promoting cellulosic ethanol production that comes from the plant stalks and other nonfood sources. There is no food shortage in the United States because of hybrid cars using ethanol, and the use of hybrid cars has not caused a food shortage in other countries. We support utilizing fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles. They are powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and a lithium ion battery. Such hybrid vehicles would not use petroleum at all. Such vehicles would also only emit water vapor and utilizing them would reduce global warming and reduce smog because no nitrogen oxides or sulfur dioxide are produced.

Shamontiel: A hybrid sales representative informed me that the younger generation is more likely to recycle and care about the environment. Who has been more likely to help with volunteering--youth, middle age, or the older crowd? Do you believe the representative's opinion was accurate?

McDonald: Young people, middle age people, and older people have volunteered with AAEA. The sales representative was probably right about volunteers with traditional environmental groups being younger.

Shamontiel: Why do you feel younger people seem to be more concerned about the environment?

McDonald: They have more time than older people to volunteer. They are not necessarily more concerned than older people because older people are faced more directly by the consequences of high energy prices and illnesses due to pollution.

Shamontiel: Hybrid cars are gaining in popularity and not being made fast enough for the buyers, but besides Shell gas station, some gas stations don't have E85 tanks. Do you think that's also a factor in why people are not buying hybrid cars? Do you own a hybrid car?

McDonald: I do not drive very much, but I own a Toyota Camry. Black Americans are not buying hybrids in large numbers, and they particularly are not purchasing the Prius. Some buy hybrids, but Blacks still prefer large vehicles if they can afford it. It is, and has been, a status symbol for Blacks. We think Blacks would buy a hybrid as long as it is a large vehicle. We hope more large hybrids are produced, and we believe Blacks will buy them. Blacks want the latest and hippest vehicles. Blacks want large houses and yards too. We support Blacks participating in American consumerism.

Shamontiel: AAEA has worked with many people around the globe from the USA to China to France to South Africa. With all of this global support, what has been the biggest accomplishment that AAEA has achieved to impact people nationally?

McDonald: Our biggest accomplishment is educating the Black community on environmental and energy issues. Our information is second to none, and the average person can go to our sites and get the latest information on these issues.

Shamontiel: On August 8, 2005, you were invited to the White House for the signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with President Bush. In the upcoming election, what would you specifically like our next president to focus on in helping the environment?

McDonald: Both Barack Obama and John McCain are good on environmental and energy issues. AAEA will brief either one as president and would be happy to service as an advisor to either one of them. I am personally voting for Barack Obama, but if John McCain wins, I will work very hard for energy and environmental improvements.