What is Environmental Justice?

What is Environmental Justice?

“Environmental Justice is 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. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Meaningful involvement means that: (1) people have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public’s contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; (3) their concerns will be considered in the decision making process; and (4) the decision makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.” -From the US Environmental Protection Agency website.

The environmental justice movement was started by individuals, primarily people of color, who sought to address the inequity of environmental protection in their communities. Grounded in the struggles of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, this movement sounded the alarm about the public health dangers for their families, their communities and themselves. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the United Church of Christ landmark 1987 Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States report. As part of the celebration, the UCC commissioned a new study, Toxic Wastes and Race at Twenty, 1987-2007: Grassroots Struggles to Dismantle Environmental Racism, led by environmental justice scholars Robert D. Bullard (Clark Atlanta University), Paul Mohai (University of Michigan), Robin Saha (University of Montana), and Beverly Wright (Dillard University of Louisiana). The new report is the first to use 2000 census data, a current national database of commercial hazardous waste facilities, and Geographic Information Systems to count persons living nearby to assess nationally the extent of racial and socioeconomic disparities in facility locations. It also examines racial disparities by region and state, and for metropolitan areas, where most hazardous waste facilities are located.

Environmental Justice Links and Resources

Read a personal perspective from Wolfram Alderson, the Executive Director of Collective Roots, by clicking here.

A really great local organization is YUCA - Youth United for Community Action

United Church of Christ: "What Color is Toxic Waste?"

U.S. EPA Reveals Cleanup Plans for Old Romic Site