Environmental justice is a pressing concern that transcends borders, focusing on fair treatment for all, regardless of their background. It has its roots in the 1960s civil rights and social justice movements, notably events like protests by Latino farm workers in California, African-American students in Houston, and residents of Harlem, NYC, advocating for their communities' well-being.
The pivotal moment often associated with the environmental justice movement was the 1982 protests in Warren County, NC, where residents protested the relocation of contaminated soil to their predominantly Black county. While their efforts were not immediately successful, they sparked a nationwide movement supported by data showing hazardous waste sites disproportionately located near Black and Latino communities.
Today, environmental justice continues to evolve and integrate into public policy. It encompasses a broader perspective of the environment, considering where people live, work, play, learn, and pray. This inter-generational, multi-racial, and international movement advocates for justice by linking economic, environmental, and health issues and demanding safe, clean communities and workplaces.
Key issues in environmental justice include equitable resource distribution, rectifying historical disparities, addressing climate change's unequal impact, and improving public health outcomes. Historically marginalized communities, often low-income and minority populations, have faced environmental hazards without access to the benefits of a clean environment. Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.
The connection between environmental justice and health is undeniable. Exposure to environmental hazards has severe health consequences, with disadvantaged communities facing higher risks due to their proximity to industrial facilities and limited healthcare access.
Join host Bernice Butler and guest Michael Gerrard and Maya van Rossum to look at current and emerging trends in environmental justice and climate justice issues.