Activity 5.1 - Introduction to Environmental Justice
1. Definitions:
- Environmental Justice
Equal treatment for every individual no matter their race, gender, sexual preference, national origin, or income, relating to their access to a clean environment, and the implementation of environmental laws and policies ("Learn About", n.d.).
McGregor, E. (Photographer). (2016, February 1).[Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.ecowatch.com/environment-social-justice-2646167147.html
- Environmental Racism
People of color are disproportionally effected by health hazards caused by environmental issues due to policies and systems that force them to live in areas with higher levels of water, air, sound, and light pollution because of their proximity to landfills, major roads, factories, and other pollutant emitters (Beech, 2020).
Gibson, G. (Photographer). (1982, September 16). [Digital image]. Retrieved https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/environmental-justice-origins-why-finally-getting-the-attention-it-deserves
- Environmental Equity
Individuals are given the resources they need to be protected from environmentally caused hazards such as air, and water pollution, and access to a clean environment regardless of an individuals race, national origin, gender, sexual preference, or income ("Environmental", n.d.).
[Image explaining equality, equity, and justice]. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.mobilizegreen.org/blog/2018/9/30/environmental-equity-vs-environmental-justice-whats-the-difference
- Climate Justice
Fighting for individuals (often people of color) who are disproportionally negatively effected by the effects our current practices have on the environment. Switching the conversation to how the Earth's climate is changing due to anthropogenic actions ("Climate Justice", 2019).
[Woman holding sign at a protest]. (n.d.) Floridaimmagrant.org. Retrieved from https://floridaimmigrant.org/campaigns/from-the-root-climate-justice/
Environmental racism sounds like a silly term because how can the environment be racist? After reading and watching the material we were given, I have learned that it is not the environment that is racist, but the systems in place that force people of color to be exposed to hazardous environmental conditions. America was built off of racism, and its ignorance has made an impact in every aspect of our lives. For years, communities of color have been forced to live near waste facilities, factories, and large roads, while white people have easy access to areas like parks and lakes. Because they live so close to environmentally dangerous areas, people of color experience health issues such as asthma, cancer, and obesity. In recent years, movements involving environmental and climate justice have switched the conversation to how people of color are negatively effected by environmental hazards, and how we can do better as a society to improve their lives.
References
Beech, P. (2020). What is environmental racism? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/what-is-environmental-racism-pollution-covid-systemic/
Climate Justice. (2019, May 31). Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/climate-justice/
Environmental Equity. (n.d.). UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. Retrieved from https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/environmental-equity/
Gibson, G. (Photographer). (1982, September 16). [Digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/environmental-justice-origins- why-finally-getting-the-attention-it-deserves
[Image explaining equality, equity, and justice]. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.mobilizegreen.org/blog/2018/9/30/environmental-equity-vs-environmental-justice-whats-the-difference
Learn About Environmental Justice. (n.d.). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/learn-about-environmental-justice
McGregor, E. (Photographer). (2016, February 1).[Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.ecowatch.com/environment-social-justice-2646167147.html
[Woman holding sign at a protest]. (n.d.) Floridaimmagrant.org. Retrieved from https://floridaimmigrant.org/campaigns/from-the-root-climate-justice/
No comments:
Post a Comment