Glossary

11.3 Environmental racism

8 min read•august 20, 2024

disproportionately exposes communities of color to pollution and environmental hazards. It stems from systemic discrimination, unequal power dynamics, and historical practices like that have shaped the distribution of environmental burdens.

The movement emerged to address these inequities. It reframes environmentalism to include social justice and community empowerment, challenging the causes of environmental racism like , , and lack of political representation.

Definition of environmental racism

  • Environmental racism refers to the of communities of color to pollution, toxic waste, and other environmental hazards
  • It encompasses the systemic and institutionalized ways in which environmental policies, practices, and decision-making negatively impact marginalized racial and ethnic groups
  • Environmental racism is rooted in a history of racial discrimination, segregation, and unequal power dynamics that shape the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens

History of environmental racism

Early examples in the US

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  • During the , Black communities were often relegated to areas near industrial zones, landfills, and other polluting facilities (redlining)
  • In the 1960s, the construction of highways and urban renewal projects disproportionately displaced and fragmented communities of color
  • The in 1982 is considered a pivotal moment in the environmental justice movement, as a predominantly Black community in North Carolina resisted the dumping of toxic waste in their neighborhood

Environmental justice movement

  • The environmental justice movement emerged in the 1980s to address the intersection of racial, economic, and environmental inequities
  • Grassroots organizations and activists, such as the United Church of Christ's Commission for Racial Justice and the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, played a crucial role in raising awareness and mobilizing communities
  • The movement has sought to reframe environmentalism to include issues of social justice, public health, and community empowerment

Causes of environmental racism

Socioeconomic factors

  • Low-income communities and communities of color often lack the financial resources and political clout to resist the siting of polluting industries and facilities in their neighborhoods
  • Economic vulnerability and limited housing options make these communities more susceptible to environmental injustices
  • Corporations and governments may exploit the lack of resources and in marginalized communities to avoid accountability and minimize costs

Racial segregation and housing discrimination

  • Historical practices such as redlining, racial covenants, and discriminatory lending have contributed to the concentration of communities of color in areas with higher environmental risks
  • Residential segregation has perpetuated disparities in access to clean air, water, and green spaces, as well as exposure to industrial pollution and toxic waste
  • Zoning policies and land-use decisions have often reinforced patterns of environmental racism by concentrating polluting industries in or near marginalized communities

Lack of political power and representation

  • Marginalized communities often face barriers to political participation and representation, limiting their ability to influence environmental decision-making processes
  • Policymakers and regulatory agencies may prioritize the interests of industry and affluent communities over the concerns of communities of color
  • The lack of diversity and inclusion in environmental organizations and government agencies can perpetuate blind spots and inadequate responses to environmental racism

Manifestations of environmental racism

Disproportionate exposure to pollution

  • Communities of color are more likely to live in proximity to industrial facilities, highways, and other sources of air, water, and soil pollution
  • Studies have shown that race is often a stronger predictor of exposure to environmental hazards than income or other socioeconomic factors
  • Examples include the prevalence of oil refineries and petrochemical plants in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods ( in Louisiana), and the disproportionate impact of on children of color ()

Unequal access to green spaces and natural resources

  • Low-income communities and communities of color often have limited access to parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities
  • The distribution of urban tree cover and vegetation is often skewed along racial and socioeconomic lines, with wealthier and whiter neighborhoods enjoying more green amenities
  • Disparities in access to green spaces can have implications for physical and mental health, as well as overall quality of life

Disparities in environmental health outcomes

  • Environmental racism contributes to significant health disparities, with communities of color experiencing higher rates of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other environmentally-related illnesses
  • Exposure to toxic substances, such as lead, mercury, and pesticides, can have long-term impacts on cognitive development, reproductive health, and overall well-being
  • The cumulative effects of environmental stressors, combined with limited access to healthcare and other social determinants of health, exacerbate health inequities in marginalized communities

Case studies of environmental racism

Flint water crisis

  • In 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, which has a majority Black population, switched its water source to the Flint River as a cost-saving measure
  • The inadequately treated water caused lead from aging pipes to leach into the water supply, exposing residents to dangerous levels of lead contamination
  • Despite complaints from residents about the water's color, odor, and taste, officials initially dismissed concerns and failed to take prompt action, highlighting issues of institutional racism and neglect

Cancer Alley in Louisiana

  • The 85-mile stretch along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, known as "Cancer Alley," is home to numerous petrochemical plants and refineries
  • The predominantly Black communities in this region face disproportionately high rates of cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other health problems linked to industrial pollution
  • Residents have long fought for environmental justice, challenging the concentration of polluting facilities and advocating for stricter regulations and corporate accountability
  • During the Cold War, extensive uranium mining took place on Navajo Nation lands in the southwestern United States
  • The mining operations left behind hundreds of abandoned mines, radioactive waste piles, and contaminated water sources, exposing Navajo communities to elevated levels of radiation and heavy metals
  • The legacy of uranium contamination has contributed to higher rates of cancer, kidney disease, and other health problems among the Navajo people, who continue to grapple with the long-term impacts of environmental racism

Addressing environmental racism

Community activism and grassroots movements

  • Grassroots organizations and community-led initiatives have been at the forefront of the fight against environmental racism
  • Activists employ a range of strategies, including public education, community organizing, direct action, and media advocacy, to raise awareness and pressure decision-makers
  • Examples include the Mothers of East Los Angeles, who successfully fought against the construction of a hazardous waste incinerator in their predominantly Latino neighborhood, and the Northside Coalition for Environmental Justice, which has advocated for the cleanup of industrial pollution in North Minneapolis
  • Environmental justice advocates have used legal tools, such as civil rights laws and environmental regulations, to challenge discriminatory practices and seek remedies for affected communities
  • Landmark cases, such as Bean v. Southwestern Waste Management Corporation, have established important precedents for addressing environmental racism through the courts
  • , such as the on Environmental Justice signed by President Clinton in 1994, have sought to integrate environmental justice considerations into federal decision-making processes

Role of environmental organizations and allies

  • Mainstream environmental organizations have increasingly recognized the need to address environmental racism and incorporate justice and equity into their agendas
  • Collaborations between national environmental groups and local grassroots organizations can leverage resources, expertise, and networks to advance environmental justice goals
  • Allies from other social justice movements, such as labor unions, faith-based organizations, and civil rights groups, have joined forces with environmental justice advocates to build broader coalitions for change

Intersection with other forms of oppression

Classism and poverty

  • Environmental racism is closely intertwined with issues of economic inequality and poverty
  • Low-income communities, which are disproportionately communities of color, often bear the brunt of environmental hazards due to limited housing options, lack of political power, and economic vulnerability
  • Addressing environmental racism requires confronting the systemic forces that perpetuate poverty and wealth disparities along racial lines

Indigenous rights and sovereignty

  • Indigenous communities have long faced environmental racism, with their lands and resources exploited by extractive industries and government policies
  • The fight for environmental justice is closely tied to struggles for Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and the protection of traditional lands and cultural practices
  • Examples include the resistance of Indigenous communities to oil pipelines (Dakota Access Pipeline), mining projects (Oak Flat), and deforestation (Amazon rainforest)

Gender and environmental justice

  • Women, particularly women of color, often play leading roles in environmental justice movements as they bear disproportionate burdens of environmental harms
  • Environmental hazards can have gendered impacts, such as the effects of toxic chemicals on reproductive health and the increased vulnerability of women to climate change-related disasters
  • and other intersectional frameworks highlight the connections between gender oppression and environmental degradation, advocating for a more holistic approach to justice

Global perspectives on environmental racism

Environmental colonialism and extractivism

  • Environmental racism has global dimensions, with the exploitation of natural resources and the dumping of toxic waste in the Global South by multinational corporations and wealthy nations
  • The legacy of colonialism and ongoing neo-colonial practices perpetuate environmental injustices, as the lands and livelihoods of marginalized communities in the Global South are sacrificed for the benefit of the Global North
  • Examples include the export of electronic waste to countries like Ghana and Nigeria, and the displacement of Indigenous communities for palm oil plantations in Indonesia

Climate change and disproportionate impacts

  • Climate change is an environmental justice issue, as its impacts are felt most acutely by marginalized communities and the Global South
  • Low-income communities and communities of color are more vulnerable to climate-related disasters (hurricanes, floods, heatwaves) due to factors such as inadequate infrastructure, limited resources for adaptation and recovery, and pre-existing health disparities
  • The burdens of climate change mitigation and adaptation are often borne by those who have contributed the least to the problem, raising questions of and equity

Transnational solidarity and resistance

  • Environmental racism is a global phenomenon that requires transnational solidarity and resistance
  • Grassroots movements and international networks, such as the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and the Climate Justice Alliance, connect struggles against environmental racism across borders
  • Collaborative efforts, such as the Cochabamba Declaration and the People's Summit on Climate, aim to center the voices and demands of frontline communities in the fight for environmental justice
  • Transnational alliances can build collective power, share strategies and resources, and challenge the global structures that perpetuate environmental racism

Key Terms to Review (36)

Cancer alley: Cancer Alley refers to a stretch of the Mississippi River in Louisiana, particularly between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, that has a high concentration of petrochemical facilities and is associated with elevated cancer rates among the local population. This term highlights the environmental and health disparities faced by communities, particularly those predominantly inhabited by African Americans, who are often situated near hazardous waste sites and industrial polluters.
Civil Rights Act: The Civil Rights Act is a landmark piece of legislation in the United States, enacted in 1964, aimed at ending discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act is crucial for addressing social justice and equality, significantly impacting various sectors such as education, employment, and public accommodations. Its influence extends to environmental justice, particularly by highlighting the intersection of civil rights and environmental racism.
Climate justice: Climate justice refers to the ethical and political concept that seeks to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities while promoting equitable solutions. It emphasizes the responsibility of developed nations and corporations to support vulnerable populations who are often least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions yet face the most severe consequences. Climate justice advocates for inclusive decision-making processes that prioritize social equity and environmental sustainability.
Community activism: Community activism refers to the efforts of individuals and groups to promote change and address issues affecting their local communities, often focusing on social, environmental, or political concerns. It involves mobilizing community members to advocate for their rights and interests, raising awareness about injustices, and working collectively to influence policy or create solutions. This grassroots approach is crucial in addressing systemic problems like inequities and environmental injustices that may disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
Community resilience: Community resilience refers to the ability of a community to withstand, adapt to, and recover from environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encompasses the capacity to utilize local resources, foster social networks, and implement sustainable practices to mitigate the impacts of adversity. This concept is deeply connected to the equitable distribution of resources and the collective strength found in diverse populations, often highlighting issues of justice and equity in resource access.
Disproportionate exposure: Disproportionate exposure refers to the unequal burden of environmental hazards experienced by specific populations, often based on socio-economic status, race, or geographic location. This concept highlights how marginalized communities frequently face greater exposure to pollutants and environmental risks compared to more privileged groups, resulting in health disparities and social injustices. Such inequities are tied to systemic factors, including industrial siting, land use policies, and economic disenfranchisement.
Ecofeminism: Ecofeminism is a philosophical and social movement that combines ecological concerns with feminist perspectives, asserting that the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women are interconnected issues. It emphasizes the need to challenge patriarchal structures that contribute to environmental degradation and gender inequality, advocating for a more holistic approach to sustainability that values both women's rights and environmental protection.
Environmental Advocacy: Environmental advocacy is the active support and promotion of policies, practices, and behaviors aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. It involves raising awareness about environmental issues, influencing decision-makers, and mobilizing communities to take action against environmental degradation and injustice. This advocacy often addresses systemic problems, such as environmental racism, that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
Environmental Colonialism: Environmental colonialism refers to the exploitation and control of natural resources in colonized regions, often resulting in environmental degradation and the displacement of local communities. This concept highlights the historical and ongoing practices where dominant powers impose their economic interests on marginalized populations, leading to significant ecological and social consequences. Environmental colonialism is closely tied to issues of environmental racism, where specific communities, often based on race or socioeconomic status, face disproportionate impacts from environmental policies and practices.
Environmental justice: Environmental justice is the fair treatment and involvement of all people in environmental decision-making, ensuring that no group, especially marginalized communities, bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental impacts. This concept emphasizes the importance of equitable access to a healthy environment, acknowledging that social, economic, and racial inequalities often dictate who gets affected by environmental harms and who has a voice in environmental policies.
Environmental Privilege: Environmental privilege refers to the advantages and benefits that certain groups or individuals experience in relation to environmental resources, conditions, and protections. This concept highlights how access to clean air, safe drinking water, and green spaces can vary significantly based on socioeconomic status, race, or geographic location, often leaving marginalized communities at a disadvantage. Understanding environmental privilege is crucial for addressing inequalities in environmental policies and practices.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations are a set of rules and standards established by the EPA to protect human health and the environment from harmful pollutants and practices. These regulations encompass a wide range of environmental issues, including air and water quality, hazardous waste management, and chemical safety, ensuring compliance by industries and communities to minimize environmental harm.
Environmental racism: Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on communities of color, resulting from systemic inequalities in the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. This concept highlights how marginalized groups are often located near polluting industries, hazardous waste sites, and other environmental threats, leading to significant health and social disparities. Understanding environmental racism is crucial for addressing broader issues of environmental justice and advocating for equitable policies in environmental activism.
Executive Order 12898: Executive Order 12898 is a federal order issued in 1994 that aims to ensure that federal agencies consider the environmental and health effects of their policies on minority and low-income populations. This order highlights the need for environmental justice by addressing how pollution and environmental hazards disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, effectively linking social equity with environmental protection.
Extractivism: Extractivism refers to the economic model focused on the extraction of natural resources, such as minerals, fossil fuels, and timber, often at the expense of local communities and ecosystems. This model prioritizes short-term profit over sustainable practices, leading to significant environmental degradation and social inequality. The impacts of extractivism can amplify existing inequities and contribute to environmental racism, as marginalized communities frequently bear the brunt of exploitation and pollution from resource extraction activities.
Flint water crisis: The Flint water crisis refers to the public health crisis that began in 2014 when the drinking water supply for Flint, Michigan was contaminated with lead and other toxins after the city switched its water source. This situation highlights significant issues related to water pollution and the disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities, raising important discussions about environmental justice and systemic inequality.
Grassroots organizing: Grassroots organizing refers to the process of mobilizing individuals and communities at the local level to advocate for social, environmental, or political change. This approach often emphasizes collective action, community empowerment, and the use of local resources and knowledge to address issues that directly affect people's lives. By engaging individuals in their own neighborhoods, grassroots organizing aims to create sustainable movements that can lead to meaningful change.
Housing discrimination: Housing discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals or groups in the housing market based on characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. This practice often leads to marginalized communities being denied equal access to housing opportunities, contributing to segregation and inequality. Housing discrimination plays a significant role in the broader context of environmental racism by affecting where certain communities can live and the quality of their living conditions.
Indigenous rights: Indigenous rights refer to the entitlements and protections afforded to indigenous peoples regarding their cultural, political, social, and economic existence. These rights are aimed at recognizing the unique relationship that indigenous communities have with their land, resources, and cultural heritage. Understanding these rights is essential in addressing historical injustices and ensuring equitable treatment in environmental policies and decisions.
Jim Crow Era: The Jim Crow Era refers to the period from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century in the United States when racial segregation laws were enacted, enforcing the separation of African Americans from whites in public spaces, schools, transportation, and more. This era institutionalized racism and discrimination, deeply impacting African American communities and perpetuating social and economic inequalities.
Lead Poisoning: Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by the accumulation of lead in the body, which can lead to serious health issues, particularly in children. It is often linked to environmental sources such as contaminated water, soil, and lead-based paint, affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately. The health impacts of lead poisoning include developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and various physical health problems.
Legal challenges: Legal challenges refer to the formal disputes or lawsuits that arise when individuals or groups contest the legality of certain actions, policies, or regulations, particularly those that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. These challenges are essential in addressing injustices and seeking accountability for environmental decisions that often lead to adverse impacts on specific populations, particularly in cases of environmental racism.
Love Canal: Love Canal is a neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York, that became infamous in the late 1970s as a major environmental disaster site due to the improper disposal of toxic waste. This incident highlighted the serious health risks faced by the community, particularly among marginalized groups, linking it to broader themes of environmental racism where vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and lack access to justice and remediation.
Navajo Nation Uranium Contamination: Navajo Nation Uranium Contamination refers to the environmental and health issues arising from uranium mining activities on Navajo lands, which began in the mid-20th century. This contamination has led to severe impacts on water sources, soil quality, and the health of the Navajo people, highlighting a significant case of environmental racism where marginalized communities face disproportionate exposure to hazardous substances and inadequate governmental response.
Policy reforms: Policy reforms refer to systematic changes made to laws, regulations, and practices aimed at improving social, economic, or environmental outcomes. These reforms often target issues of inequality and injustice, striving to create fairer systems that address the needs of marginalized communities. In the context of environmental racism, policy reforms are crucial for dismantling structures that perpetuate discrimination against certain groups based on race or ethnicity in relation to environmental hazards and resource allocation.
Political power: Political power refers to the ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions, often manifested through laws, policies, and governance structures. This power can shape environmental policies, resource distribution, and community welfare, particularly impacting marginalized communities that may be subjected to environmental injustices. Understanding how political power operates is essential for addressing issues of inequality and advocating for sustainable practices in environmental decision-making.
Pollution burden: Pollution burden refers to the total amount of pollution and environmental hazards that a particular community or population is exposed to, often disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. This term emphasizes the unequal distribution of environmental hazards, highlighting how certain populations may bear a heavier load of pollution due to factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and geographic location. Understanding pollution burden helps identify the systemic inequalities that exist in environmental health and policy.
Racial segregation: Racial segregation is the systemic separation of individuals or groups based on their race or ethnicity, often enforced through laws, policies, and social practices. This practice has historically led to unequal treatment and access to resources, resulting in significant social and economic disparities. Racial segregation can manifest in various forms, such as residential segregation, educational separation, and restrictions in public facilities, all contributing to an environment of discrimination and inequality.
Racialized environmental inequality: Racialized environmental inequality refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized racial and ethnic communities, often resulting from systemic racism and discriminatory practices in environmental policy and planning. This concept highlights how social, economic, and political factors intertwine to create unequal exposure to pollution, resource depletion, and lack of access to clean environments, thereby emphasizing the need for equity in environmental decision-making.
Redlining: Redlining is the systematic practice of denying services, such as banking, insurance, and housing, to residents in specific neighborhoods based on their racial or ethnic composition. This term is closely associated with discriminatory policies that have historically marginalized communities of color, resulting in significant social and economic inequalities. Redlining has contributed to environmental injustices by restricting access to resources and services, ultimately impacting the health and wellbeing of affected populations.
Robert Bullard: Robert Bullard is an influential environmental scholar and activist often referred to as the 'father of environmental justice.' He has dedicated his work to addressing the intersection of race, class, and environmental policy, focusing on how marginalized communities disproportionately suffer from environmental hazards. His research highlights the systemic inequities in environmental decision-making and promotes equitable policies that ensure all communities have access to clean air, water, and land.
Social mobilization: Social mobilization is the process through which individuals, communities, or organizations come together to promote social change and address issues affecting their lives. This often involves raising awareness, organizing resources, and engaging in collective actions to challenge inequalities and advocate for rights. It plays a crucial role in movements aimed at combating social injustices, including those related to environmental racism.
Socioeconomic factors: Socioeconomic factors refer to the social and economic experiences and realities that influence individuals and communities, including income, education, employment, and social status. These factors play a significant role in determining access to resources, opportunities, and overall quality of life, often leading to disparities among different groups. In the context of environmental issues, socioeconomic factors can impact how communities are affected by environmental policies and practices.
Toxic waste dumping: Toxic waste dumping refers to the illegal or improper disposal of hazardous materials that can pose significant risks to human health and the environment. This practice often occurs in marginalized communities, where enforcement of environmental regulations may be lax, leading to long-term pollution and health issues for residents. The connection to systemic inequality highlights how certain groups are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards due to their socioeconomic status or race.
Van Jones: Van Jones is an American civil rights activist, author, and television commentator known for his work on social justice and environmental issues. He has been a vocal advocate for addressing climate change in ways that also promote racial and economic equity, often highlighting the intersections between environmental racism and social justice initiatives.
Warren County PCB Landfill Protest: The Warren County PCB Landfill Protest was a significant environmental movement in the 1980s, where residents protested against the dumping of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their community in North Carolina. This event is crucial in understanding how marginalized communities often face the brunt of environmental hazards, highlighting systemic inequalities in environmental decision-making.
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