What is Environmental
Justice?
"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. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn and work."
I do think that race and SES played a part. They were a mostly-black community, and I think if they were wealthy, if it was Bloomington, something would have been done.
- a graduate student studying environmental policy on the Flint Water Crisis
There's more to taking care of the environment than just recycling!
Advocate for real change by making your voice heard through organized protests. One of our biggest downfalls in not only the environment, but with human rights, is environmental justice.
Current Events
Environmental-justice activists keep fighting to stop pollution in U.S. communities of color: In North Carolina, a decision was made to dump 40,000 cubic yards of soil contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals in Warren County. Warren Country has a median income of $21,858 and is more than 50% black according to the U.S. Census. According to the article, situations like this, including redlining, have contributed to increased pollution amongst communities of color. According to the article, "Black people are nearly four times more likely to die from exposure to pollution than white people" drilling home that this issue is still heavily affecting people today.
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United Nations experts condemn pollution of Louisiana's Cancer Alley as environmental racism: Cancer Alley is an area near St. James Parish that is heavily polluted due to petrochemical facilities and other sources of pollution. The United Nations recently evaluated this pollution and has called on the federal government to deliver environmental justice to multiple communities across the nation, with the primary focus being St. James Parish. This pollution not only relates to spikes in cancer deaths but also is potentially leading to an increase in deaths related to COVID-19. Additionally, many of these communities still see no benefit from hosting this pollution as the poverty rates in many towns are well above the national average.
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Water Pollution in Iowa is Environmental Injustice: In Iowa, the agricultural and farming industry makes up a large portion of the economy. This industry is predominantly older, white men and Iowa in general is not the most diverse state in the union. Much of the pollution from these agricultural sites pollutes the Des Moines river which is a major source of drinking water for many smaller, more diverse communities in the state. These smaller communities also further feel the effects of pollution because they have limited other sources of clean water due to their size and typically lower social economic status.
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Environmental Racism in Chicago will be Made Worse by General Iron Facility: In Chicago, some children have predominant rates of lung cancer and other breathing illnesses due to high levels of toxic metals and other pollutants. Recently, a new metal shredding facility, General Iron, was slated to be added to Chicago's southeastern section of the city. It was originally planned to be placed in Lincoln Park, a predominantly white and affluent area, but was closed to complains about pollution, explosions and fires. The mayor of Chicago was key to the decision to move the facility out of Lincoln Park and into the southern part of Chicago.
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