Environmental racism is defined by the disproportionate effect of environmental hazards upon people of color. Environmental justice, a movement against environmental racism, focuses on minimizing environmental hazards on all people and advocating for fairer environmental policies and lawsmaking. It also installs greater protections to BIPOC communities.
Environmental racism can be defined as a variety of discriminations and environmental issues that continue to exist today. Environmental racism can be well-publicized, as in the Flint water crisis. However, there are many cases that aren’t as well-known or framed outside the realm of racism, such disproportionate heat deaths.
Here are some examples from history and current efforts to combat environmental racism.
Early Recognition of Environmental Racism
Most research points to the 1960s as when the term “environmental racism” was first used in America. It became more common and well-known in the 1980s.We know that environmental racism has been a part of the country’s long history of embracing racist ideas and beliefs.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a major risk factor for death, and is responsible for more that 11% of all deaths in the world. Although pollution rates and death rates are declining,Exposure to ambient air pollution continues increase the risk for developing diseases.
Numerous studies have shown that BIPOC communities are more likely to be exposed to air pollution than white communities. One study that was done in September 2021 found that people from Black, Hispanic and Asian communities in the United States were exposed to higher than average levels of ambient fine particle air pollution (PM2.5), while white people were exposed at lower levels.
These results echo a 2001 study which showed that non-whites were more likely to be admitted to hospital due to air pollution than whites.A 2013 study also showed that polluted air can cause psychological stress and increase the severity of the effects.
Redlining and Heat Deaths
Redlining is a discriminatory practice whereby people are restricted from purchasing homes based on their race. Redlining was a discriminatory practice that has been used historically to target Black and Jewish communities.
On average, redlined neighborhoods can register temperatures up to 7 degrees C higher than non-redlined neighborhoods.Contributing to this temperature difference, redlined areas are less likely to receive funding for environmental projects. Redlined areas are more likely to have adequate tree coverage than neighborhoods with low risk. However, they receive higher land investments for trees and parks than those with lower risk. The lack of green spaces in these areas increases heat index and impacts air quality.
Extreme heat is the leading cause for weather-related premature death.According to the CDC, American Indigenous males over 65 years are most at risk of heat-related deaths. Black males come in second.These numbers can be attributed to a lack of health care, less green space and more heat-absorbing surfaces. Heat-related deaths in vulnerable groups are likely to increase as a result climate change is causing temperatures to rise.
Dumping Toxic Waste
Toxic waste dumpings near BIPOC villages are one of the first offences to be protested in support of environmental justice.
CJR discovered that 60% of Black and Hispanic Americans inhabited an area that was toxic waste.They reexamined the study 20-years later and found that the numbers were likely higher. Additionally, communities of color accounted for the majority of the population living within 1.8 miles from toxic waste facilities.
This research revealed that ethnic minorities (Hispanics and African Americans, as well as Asians/Pacific Islanders), lived in close proximity to waste facilities across the United States.A 2015 study refuted claims that communities of colour were first. drawn toBecause of the lower costs, it is possible to live in areas near toxic waste facilities.
Toxic Waste on Indigenous Land
The United States has a long history with indigenous communities having nuclear waste stored on their land. Because Indigenous land is sovereign, federal and state laws do not apply to it. This makes it easier to give over land to companies and governments. Many interested parties have offered millions of dollars to Native Tribes in exchange for their toxic waste disposal. Many accept the offer in the hope of greater economic opportunities.
Many Indigenous communities deal with the impacts of uranium mined on or near tribal lands. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has identified over 15,000 abandoned uranium mins. About 75% are located on federal and tribal lands.
Toxic waste outside the U.S.
The United States is not the only country where toxic waste dumping is a form of environmental racism. According to a 2019 study, companies in the U.S. as well as European countries have been dumping hundreds upon hundreds of containers of electronic garbage in West and Central Africa.These items can be recycled as in the United Kingdom and other economically developed countries, but the affected African countries do not have the infrastructure to recycle e-waste. The waste contains hazardous chemicals that can have a negative impact on the environment and on human health.
Clean water
Access to clean water is a major issue in the global environment. Based on data from EPA, a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council was prepared that found that race was the most important factor in the time a community has been without clean drinking water. This report confirms that communities of color are often ignored when it comes to community investments.
1974 saw the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act, which gave the EPA authority to regulate the nation’s water supply. It limits over 90 contaminants. However, this hasn’t helped communities whose violations were slow to be corrected. An increase in BIPOC citizens means that 40% of the areas are more likely have drinking water laws in violations.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest concentration of countries in which less than half the population has access. This is a significant improvement from 1990, when UNICEF and the World Health Organization began monitoring the situation. However, it still highlights the disparities.These efforts were largely successful. Aid from other countries to finance the fundingThis makes it obvious which parts are being left behind.
Flint Water Crisis
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The Flint River water supply was switched to cheaper water in 2013 by the government of Flint, Michigan. Flint residents were exposed for years to lead, despite numerous complaints to the government.
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission discussed the issue of systemic racism and concluded that the insufficient response to the crisis and its mismanagement were the result of systemic racism. Their report on environmental racism cites the city’s history with low-quality housing and employment opportunities as well as education for communities of colour as reasons for the crisis.
Addressing Environmental Racism
Although governments and organizations have acknowledged the existence of environmental racism, they also recognize the need to address it. taken stepsThere is a lot to be done to correct past injustices.
The EPAs SuperfundThis program organizes cleanup efforts on land that has been contaminated from the mismanagement of hazardous materials. This program was established under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980. It allows EPA to force responsible parties into cleaning up hazardous waste. If no responsible party can find, the act allocates funds to the EPA to clean the waste.
Some organizations like Green ActionThere are inadequate Superfund cleanup jobs. This has led to calls for full community oversight as well as temporary housing for those affected by the cleanups.
How you can get involved in environmental justice
- Pay attention to local laws and policymaking. Take note of the communities that are affected by laws and contact your representative to protest environmental racism.
- Support organizations such as Indigenous Environmental Network Climate Justice AllianceBIPOC communities that work together to mitigate damage. There are many. Local, national, and International OrganizationsThey are open to volunteers and other forms support.
- Continue to learn about racism and environmental justice. There are many other cases that can be cited in addition to the ones listed here. The more we know, the better we are able to hold politicians accountable for injustices.