12.4 Environmental justice
9 min read•august 21, 2024
Environmental justice emerged from civil rights activism and environmental concerns in the 1980s. Black women played a crucial role, advocating for community health and highlighting the link between social justice and environmental protection.
The movement addressed disproportionate environmental burdens in minority neighborhoods, focusing on issues like toxic waste dumping and pollution. It utilized civil rights strategies and framed environmental issues as civil rights violations, emphasizing community self-determination in decision-making.
Origins of environmental justice
- emerged from the convergence of civil rights activism and environmental concerns in the 1980s
- Black women played a crucial role in shaping the early environmental justice movement, advocating for their communities' health and well-being
- Highlights the interconnectedness of social justice and environmental protection in African American history
Early grassroots movements
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- Arose from community-based efforts to address disproportionate environmental burdens in minority neighborhoods
- Focused on local issues such as toxic waste dumping, , and contaminated water sources
- Utilized tactics like protests, petitions, and community education to raise awareness and demand action
- Emphasized the importance of community self-determination in environmental decision-making
Civil rights connections
- Built upon the organizational structures and strategies of the civil rights movement
- Framed environmental issues as civil rights violations, arguing for equal protection under environmental laws
- Utilized Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to challenge discriminatory environmental practices
- Drew parallels between racial segregation and the concentration of environmental hazards in minority communities
Gender and race intersections
- Recognized the unique experiences of Black women facing both racial and gender-based discrimination in environmental contexts
- Highlighted how environmental issues disproportionately affect women's health, including reproductive health and childcare responsibilities
- Emphasized the leadership roles Black women took in community organizing and advocacy efforts
- Explored how environmental degradation intersects with other forms of social and economic marginalization faced by Black women
Key figures and leaders
- Black women have been at the forefront of the environmental justice movement since its inception
- Their leadership styles often emphasized community-based approaches and intersectional perspectives
- These leaders bridged grassroots activism with academic research and policy advocacy
African American women activists
- Hazel Johnson founded People for Community Recovery in Chicago, addressing toxic waste in public housing
- Peggy Shepard co-founded WE ACT for Environmental Justice in Harlem, focusing on air pollution and children's health
- Margie Eugene-Richard led the fight against Shell Chemical in Diamond, Louisiana, resulting in community relocation
- Dr. established the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, combining research with community partnerships
Community organizers
- Utilized door-to-door outreach and community meetings to educate and mobilize residents
- Developed leadership training programs to empower local community members
- Created coalitions with other social justice organizations to amplify their message
- Organized toxic tours to highlight environmental hazards in their communities
Academic contributors
- Dr. Robert Bullard, often called the "father of environmental justice," conducted groundbreaking research on
- Dr. Dorceta Taylor's work explored the intersections of race, class, and gender in environmental issues
- Dr. Mildred McClain combined academic research with community activism in Savannah, Georgia
- Contributed to the development of environmental justice curricula and research methodologies
Environmental racism
- Refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on communities of color
- Emerged as a key concept in understanding the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits
- Highlights how systemic racism influences environmental policy and decision-making
Toxic waste siting
- Studies show hazardous waste facilities are more likely to be located in predominantly minority neighborhoods
- Factors include lower land values, less political power, and historical patterns of segregation
- Communities often lack resources to challenge siting decisions or relocate
- Examples include the PCB landfill in Warren County, North Carolina, and the Chemical Corridor in Louisiana
Urban vs rural impacts
- Urban areas face issues like air pollution, lead contamination, and lack of green spaces
- Rural communities contend with agricultural runoff, extractive industries, and limited access to environmental services
- Urban heat island effect disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods with less tree cover
- Rural areas often lack the infrastructure to address environmental emergencies or enforce regulations
Health disparities
- Higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other environmentally-linked diseases in minority communities
- Maternal and child health issues linked to environmental exposures (, air pollution)
- Limited access to healthcare compounds the effects of environmental health hazards
- Psychological impacts of living in degraded environments, including stress and mental health issues
Black women's contributions
- Black women have been instrumental in shaping the environmental justice movement through various roles and strategies
- Their approaches often emphasize the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues
- Contributions span from local grassroots efforts to national policy initiatives
Grassroots organizing strategies
- Developed community-based environmental monitoring programs to gather data on local pollution
- Created "toxic tours" to educate outsiders and media about environmental hazards in their neighborhoods
- Utilized storytelling and oral histories to document community experiences with environmental injustice
- Organized community gardens and green space initiatives to address food insecurity and improve local environments
Policy advocacy efforts
- Lobbied for the inclusion of environmental justice principles in local, state, and federal policies
- Participated in EPA's National Environmental Justice Advisory Council to influence federal decision-making
- Advocated for the integration of environmental justice considerations in climate change policies
- Pushed for increased funding for environmental cleanup and health studies in affected communities
Intergenerational leadership
- Established youth environmental justice programs to cultivate the next generation of activists
- Created mentorship opportunities between experienced activists and young community members
- Developed environmental justice curricula for schools and community education programs
- Organized intergenerational events and projects to ensure continuity of movement knowledge and tactics
Case studies
- These case studies highlight the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by Black communities
- Demonstrate the crucial role of Black women's leadership in environmental justice struggles
- Illustrate the long-term health and social impacts of environmental racism
Warren County, North Carolina
- 1982 protests against a PCB landfill in a predominantly African American community
- Led by Dollie Burwell, known as the "mother of the environmental justice movement"
- Resulted in the arrest of over 500 protesters, drawing national attention to environmental racism
- Sparked the 1983 U.S. General Accounting Office study on the correlation between waste facility siting and race
Cancer Alley, Louisiana
- 85-mile stretch along the Mississippi River with over 150 petrochemical plants and refineries
- African American communities experience high cancer rates and other health issues
- Women like Margie Eugene-Richard led fights against specific plants (Shell Chemical in Diamond)
- Ongoing struggles include efforts to stop the Formosa Plastics plant in St. James Parish
Flint water crisis
- 2014 decision to switch Flint's water source led to widespread lead contamination
- Disproportionately affected low-income and African American residents
- Local mothers like LeeAnne Walters and Melissa Mays led efforts to expose the crisis
- Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's research provided crucial evidence of elevated blood lead levels in children
Theoretical frameworks
- These frameworks provide analytical tools for understanding environmental justice issues
- Help to contextualize environmental struggles within broader social justice movements
- Inform strategies and approaches for addressing environmental inequities
Intersectionality in environmentalism
- Concept developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw applied to environmental issues
- Examines how multiple forms of oppression (race, class, gender) interact in environmental contexts
- Helps explain why certain groups face compounded environmental burdens
- Informs more holistic approaches to addressing environmental injustices
Ecofeminism vs environmental justice
- Ecofeminism links environmental degradation to patriarchal structures and women's oppression
- Environmental justice focuses more on racial and economic disparities in environmental impacts
- Both emphasize the disproportionate effects of environmental issues on marginalized groups
- Environmental justice critiques ecofeminism for potentially essentializing women's connection to nature
Critical race theory applications
- Applies CRT principles to analyze environmental policies and practices
- Examines how environmental laws and regulations may perpetuate racial inequalities
- Challenges color-blind approaches to environmental protection
- Emphasizes the importance of race-conscious solutions to environmental problems
Policy and legislation
- Policy and legislation have been crucial tools in addressing environmental justice concerns
- Reflect the evolution of environmental justice from a grassroots movement to a recognized policy area
- Highlight ongoing challenges in implementing and enforcing environmental justice principles
Executive Order 12898
- Signed by President Clinton in 1994 in response to environmental justice advocacy
- Directed federal agencies to identify and address disproportionate environmental impacts on minority and low-income populations
- Required the development of environmental justice strategies within federal agencies
- Created the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice to coordinate federal efforts
Clean Air Act amendments
- 1990 amendments included provisions relevant to environmental justice concerns
- Established more stringent air quality standards and expanded EPA's enforcement powers
- Required consideration of cumulative impacts from multiple pollution sources
- Increased community right-to-know provisions regarding toxic air pollutants
Environmental justice bills
- Environmental Justice Act of 1992 (not passed) proposed identifying "environmental high impact areas"
- Environmental Justice Act of 2019 aimed to codify Executive Order 12898 into law
- Various state-level environmental justice laws (New Jersey, California) require consideration of cumulative impacts
- Ongoing efforts to integrate environmental justice principles into climate change legislation
Contemporary issues
- Environmental justice concerns have evolved to encompass new challenges and opportunities
- Reflect the changing nature of environmental threats and the broader social context
- Highlight the ongoing relevance of environmental justice principles in addressing current crises
Climate change impacts
- Disproportionate effects of climate change on low-income communities and communities of color
- Increased vulnerability to extreme weather events, heat waves, and sea-level rise
- Challenges of climate displacement and migration, particularly for coastal communities
- Efforts to ensure equitable distribution of climate adaptation and mitigation resources
Food justice initiatives
- Addresses unequal access to healthy, affordable food in low-income and minority neighborhoods
- Focuses on issues of food deserts, lack of grocery stores, and prevalence of fast food
- Promotes urban agriculture, community gardens, and farmers markets in underserved areas
- Links environmental sustainability with food security and public health
Green jobs and economy
- Efforts to ensure equitable access to jobs in the growing green economy
- Addresses historical exclusion of minorities from certain sectors (renewable energy, conservation)
- Promotes job training and workforce development programs in environmental fields
- Explores the potential of green jobs to address both environmental and economic justice
Global perspectives
- Environmental justice issues extend beyond national borders, reflecting global inequities
- Highlights connections between local struggles and international environmental challenges
- Emphasizes the importance of solidarity and knowledge-sharing across different contexts
African diaspora connections
- Explores environmental justice issues facing African descendant communities globally
- Examines how colonial legacies shape current environmental inequities in Africa and the diaspora
- Highlights transnational activism and solidarity among Black environmental justice advocates
- Addresses issues like climate refugees, resource extraction, and toxic waste dumping in Africa
International environmental agreements
- Analyzes the impact of international treaties (Paris Agreement, Basel Convention) on environmental justice
- Examines the representation of marginalized communities in global environmental negotiations
- Explores concepts like climate debt and environmental reparations in international contexts
- Highlights the role of the Global South in pushing for equity in global environmental governance
Indigenous women's movements
- Examines parallels and intersections between Black and Indigenous women's environmental activism
- Highlights struggles over land rights, resource extraction, and cultural preservation
- Explores concepts of environmental stewardship and traditional ecological knowledge
- Addresses issues of environmental colonialism and the impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities
Future of environmental justice
- Explores emerging trends and strategies in the environmental justice movement
- Reflects on the evolving nature of environmental threats and opportunities for action
- Considers how technological and social changes may shape future environmental justice efforts
Youth leadership
- Emergence of youth-led environmental justice initiatives and organizations
- Integration of environmental justice principles into youth climate activism
- Development of intergenerational mentorship and knowledge transfer programs
- Focus on long-term sustainability and intergenerational equity in environmental decision-making
Technology and data usage
- Utilization of citizen science and community-based participatory research methods
- Development of mobile apps and online platforms for environmental monitoring and reporting
- Use of GIS and mapping technologies to visualize environmental justice issues
- Exploration of blockchain and other technologies for increasing transparency in environmental governance
Sustainable development goals
- Alignment of environmental justice objectives with UN Goals
- Integration of environmental justice principles into sustainable urban planning and development
- Focus on creating resilient communities that can adapt to environmental changes
- Exploration of alternative economic models that prioritize both environmental and social justice
Key Terms to Review (18)
Air Pollution: Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere that can have adverse effects on human health, the environment, and the climate. These pollutants can come from various sources, including industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and natural phenomena. The issue of air pollution is closely linked to environmental justice, as marginalized communities often bear a disproportionate burden of exposure to poor air quality.
Angela Davis: Angela Davis is an American political activist, scholar, and author known for her involvement in the civil rights and Black liberation movements. Her work highlights the intersectionality of race, class, and gender, making significant contributions to discussions surrounding sexual exploitation, reproductive rights, and the criminal justice system.
Beverly Wright: Beverly Wright is a prominent environmental justice scholar and activist known for her work highlighting the disproportionate impact of environmental issues on marginalized communities, particularly African Americans. Her research focuses on how systemic racism and socio-economic inequalities contribute to environmental hazards in these communities, making her a crucial figure in the fight for environmental justice.
Clean Air Act: The Clean Air Act is a comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to ensure clean and healthy air quality across the United States. Established in 1970, it aims to protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution by setting national standards for air quality and providing the framework for state-level implementation and enforcement.
Climate change vulnerability: Climate change vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of individuals, communities, and ecosystems to the adverse effects of climate change. This concept emphasizes that certain populations, particularly marginalized groups, face greater risks due to factors like socioeconomic status, geographic location, and access to resources. Understanding climate change vulnerability is crucial for addressing environmental justice and ensuring equitable responses to climate impacts.
Community land trust: A community land trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that acquires and holds land for the benefit of a community, ensuring long-term affordability and preventing speculation. CLTs empower communities by allowing them to control land use and housing development, which is particularly important in areas facing gentrification and displacement. This model emphasizes community engagement and local decision-making to address housing needs and social equity.
Environmental Justice Movement: The environmental justice movement advocates for the fair treatment of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income, in environmental policy and decision-making. It seeks to address the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities, highlighting the intersection of social justice and environmental issues.
Environmental Protection Agency's Title VI: The Environmental Protection Agency's Title VI is a provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal financial assistance. This regulation is particularly significant in promoting environmental justice by ensuring that disadvantaged communities are not disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and that they have equal access to environmental benefits.
Environmental Racism: Environmental racism refers to the systemic placement of hazardous waste sites, landfills, and polluting industries in communities predominantly inhabited by people of color, often resulting in significant health and environmental impacts. This term highlights how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards due to a combination of economic, political, and social factors.
Flint water crisis: The Flint water crisis refers to a public health emergency that began in 2014 when the drinking water source for Flint, Michigan was switched to the Flint River, resulting in lead contamination and severe health risks for residents. This crisis highlighted systemic issues related to environmental justice, particularly the disproportionate impact on low-income and predominantly African American communities who were exposed to unsafe water.
Hurricane katrina response: The response to Hurricane Katrina refers to the actions taken by federal, state, and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, in the aftermath of the devastating hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005. This response is significant as it highlighted systemic failures in emergency management and raised critical issues around environmental justice, particularly in relation to vulnerable communities who were disproportionately affected by the disaster.
Intersectionality: Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how various forms of social identities—such as race, gender, class, and sexuality—intersect and create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage. This concept is crucial for analyzing the unique experiences of individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups, highlighting how societal structures impact them differently compared to those who may only experience one form of oppression.
Land reclamation: Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from oceans, riverbeds, or lake beds, often for agricultural or urban purposes. This practice can involve draining water bodies, filling in land, and altering the landscape to make it suitable for human use. It plays a significant role in addressing issues like urbanization, environmental degradation, and food security, especially in areas where land is scarce.
Lead poisoning: Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by the accumulation of lead in the body, often leading to severe health problems, particularly in children. It is associated with exposure to lead from various sources, including contaminated water, paint, and soil, which raises significant concerns about environmental justice as marginalized communities often face greater risks and limited access to resources for prevention and treatment.
Social equity: Social equity refers to the fair and just distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to societal benefits. It focuses on addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that marginalized groups receive the support they need to thrive, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable community.
Sustainable development: Sustainable development is a holistic approach to growth that seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection, aiming for a balance that fosters long-term well-being and equity across all communities.
Toxic waste exposure: Toxic waste exposure refers to the contact with hazardous substances that can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. This exposure often occurs in communities near landfills, factories, or sites contaminated with industrial waste, disproportionately impacting marginalized groups and raising significant concerns regarding environmental justice.
Women of color environmentalists: Women of color environmentalists are activists and advocates who identify as women and belong to racial or ethnic minority groups, focusing on the intersections of race, gender, and environmental issues. They challenge systemic inequalities and advocate for the rights and health of marginalized communities, often addressing how environmental issues disproportionately impact these populations.