Environmental injustice and Racism: The Consequences
The most glaring consequence of environmental racism and environmental injustice is the impact on the health of affected communities. Communities exposed to environmental risks (and denied access to environmental benefits) have a higher risk of being left behind across a range of areas, including life expectancy, physical wellbeing, mental health, and more. In the United States, non-white communities (Black, Asian, Latin, Indigenous) are more likely to experience health complications to environmental exposure than white communities. As a result, these (non-white) communities have higher instances of health-related issues including cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma, and premature death.
The exposure risk increased further by the intersection of membership to other categories: economics(low-income), sex and gender identity (women and members of the LGBTQIA are more likely to be impacted by environmental risk) citizenship (migrants are more likely to be exposed) and age (children and older adults (65+)). Once again, the root of cause of the difference between how likely people are to experience environmental injustice and inequality are tired to other forms of social injustice and discrimination.
But the cost of environmental racism and injustice doesn’t just stop at health. Environmental racism and injustice can be a costly bill to pay for local and national economies due to increases in spending in order to combat growing health costs as well as impacts to the work force.
Is Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism an American issue?
I’ve only given examples from the United States, because unfortunately there are too many to choose from. However, instances of environmental racism and injustice exist all around the world. Above is just a small collection of news articles from around the world discussing environmental racism. From South Africa, to Canda, environmental racism and injustice have become a hot topic for countries, especially now with the growing threat of climate change (which I will touch on later.). Even as far as Aotearoa (New Zealand). In a future post, I will explain in depth how environmental justice or injustice appears in Aotearoa. However, I will make the point here that environmental injustices in countries with histories of colonialism and land confiscation (US, Australia, Canada and Aotearoa/ New Zealand), have complex webs of environmental injustice centring around indigenous sovereignty (indigenous environmental justice) and the rights of non-human beings.
Where Do Climate Change and Climate Justice Fit in All of This?
Climate justice has an interesting relationship with environmental justice that falls into two camps.
The first and smaller of the two arguments is that climate justice is a separate entity, talked about without mentioning environmental justice. The second is that climate justice is a subset of environmental justice or at the very least borrows principles from environmental justice.
I side with the latter rather than the former for two reasons.
The first is that, regarding academic framing, climate justice borrows some of the same theoretical foundations (particularly around distributive, procedural, and recognition) of environmental justice. The second reason is that, in my opinion, you cannot address issues of climate injustice without addressing environmental injustice. However, no matter what side you fall on the argument of whether or not climate justice and environmental justice are interlinked, there is no denying that climate change worries are already presenting environmental injustices. In article, Why Climate change is an Environmental Issue? the author, Renée Cho discusses how communities that are already suffering from environmental and health disparities were suffer more under the increase temperatures and extreme weather caused by climate change.
The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) released a diagram (see below), showing the impact of climate change on human health.
Here’s an example of how this all comes together. Time to use your imagination again:
Imagine a community that, due to discriminatory housing policies and a lack of investment, lacks green space and instead is surrounded by concrete structures. The community’s demographic is primarily lower-income communities and communities of colour due to past and present-day social injustices. As a result of the lack of green spaces and trees, the urban neighbourhood is known as an urban heat island. Studies have shown that spaces lacking tree coverage and green spaces are more likely to have higher temperatures. As a result of climate change, the neighbourhood is prone to more frequent and intense heat waves.
The members of this community (who may already have pre-existing health risks due to other social injustices in health care access) experience higher risks of heat-related health issues like heat exhaustion and respiratory problems, especially among children and adults over the age of 65. Many of them are lower income and have neither the money to move out of the neighbourhood nor the ability to afford the cost of air conditioning, making it harder to cope with extreme heat.
The cycle of inequality continues where historical and presently marginalized communities, many of whom are already experiencing the fallout from past and current environmental injustices, bear the brunt of climate impacts while having fewer resources to adapt and protect themselves.
This brings us back to the title of this post: how do you talk about environmental justice, environmental racism, or climate justice without pissing people off? The answer is: you can’t. There is no possible way to talk about environmental justice (or racism or climate change or environmental justice) without making someone angry or upset.
And that could be a good thing.
It should anger people that there is a discrepancy in access to clean and safe environments. Not just from a moral or justice perspective, but because the consequences can have a long-term effect on the rest of society. However, the health consequences experienced by these communities also cost everyone in the long run.
Take Aways:
Talking about environmental racism in a way that inspires constructive conversation rather than defensiveness is critical. Here are some steps on how to learn about, discuss and (hopefully) act on environmental racism and injustice.
1. Start with You—Educate yourself.
- Read Up on the topic: This blog post only gives a taste of what environmental racism, environmental injustice, climate change and climate justice are, and there is much more to learn. Below, I’ve included a couple of sources to get you started.
- Dumping in Dixie- Robert Bullard
- Unequal Protection: Environmental justice and communities of color-Robert Bullard
- Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution and Residential Mobility– Dorceta Taylor
- Black Races, White Space- Carolyn Finney
- A Terrible thing to waste: Environmental Racism and its Assault on the American Mind -Harriet A. Washington
- Climate Change is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice-Jeremy Williams
- Intersectionality Environmentalist- Leah Thomas
- Indigenous Environmental Justice- Karen Jarrat-Snider
- Learn the History of Your Community: Knowing the history of environmental racism can help you see why specific communities are impacted more. Research examples of environmental injustice and racism in your and other countries. For example, the Flint, Michigan water crisis and the placement of hazardous waste sites near low-income communities, and RIMPAC and other Military exercises that exposure local communities to uranium poisoning. Remember that environmental injustice is intertwined with other forms of social injustice.
Acknowledge Personal Biases:
- Reflect on Your Own Experiences and Beliefs: Think about how environmental privileges like access to clean air, green spaces, or clean water may have been things you’ve taken for granted. Also, challenge your thoughts about people who live in less environmentally safe spaces. No one actively chooses or deserves to live near a waste site. While I am not asking you to ignore individual choices, it is important to understand that marginalized communities often don’t have a choice (or at least an informed choice) and are constantly left out of the decision-making process. This self-awareness helps you speak from a place of empathy.
- Avoid “Savior Complex” Thinking: The goal is to support communities affected by environmental racism and injustice, not to “save” them. These communities are often the hotspots for environmental and climate action. A collaborative mindset helps keep conversations open and respectful.
Share What You’ve Learned with Others:
1. Start with Shared Values
- Begin by finding common ground. Highlight values that most people agree on, (e.g. fairness, wanting good health care, and valuing their community). This can help set a positive tone and make the topic more relatable.
2. Frame It as a Broader Issue
- Position environmental racism as part of the larger issue of environmental injustice, affecting many communities differently. Highlighting that these challenges touch on multiple aspects of society can make it easier for people to see how they fit into the conversation.
3. Use Data and Examples
- Rely on data and case studies to present the issue objectively. For example, discuss real life examples like the Flint Michigan Water Crisis. Real-life examples can make the concept more concrete without being confrontational.
4. Avoid Blame Language
- Try not to imply that anyone is personally responsible for causing the problem (in the next post I will talk more about blame). Instead, discuss how structural and historical factors have led to these outcomes. Focus on systems and structural racism/ discrimination rather than individuals to avoid triggering defensiveness.
5. Acknowledge Complexity
- Recognize that addressing environmental racism involves complicated and multifaceted challenges. Avoid presenting it as a black-and-white issue (no pun intended), and instead discuss how progress can be made incrementally, with collaboration from various stakeholders.
6. Encourage Dialogue and Listening
- Create space for others to share their thoughts and experiences without judgement. Even if they don’t initially agree, showing a willingness to listen and understand can make them more open to the conversation.
7. Highlight Positive Actions and Solutions
- Focus on the potential for improvement. It’s not all doom and gloom, although it can feel like it. It helps to share examples of communities or organizations that have successfully addressed environmental injustices, no matter how big or small.
8. Acknowledge Emotional Reactions
- As I mentioned earlier, talking about racism in any context can trigger an emotional response, either because they’re unfamiliar with the topic or because they feel implicated in some way. Allow room for these reactions and try to approach them with empathy rather than defensiveness. (This does not mean tolerate blatant disrespect.)
9. Use Inclusive Language (use with caution)
- I’m a little on the fence on this last one. While the use of inclusive terms like marginalized communities and historically underserved communities can be considered “less confrontational” terms as it doesn’t point directly to specific to rational groups. However, sometimes it is necessary. Especially when contextualizing environmental racism and injustice.
Encourage Equitable Representation
Beyond merely suggesting ways that marginalized communities can have a say in local planning and decision-making, like attending city council meetings or joining advisory boards, consider the following:
- Communities who are most vulnerable to environmental risk have experienced previous disappointments from government and organisations regarding representation. Build an authentic relationship with the community. Engage with them to their level of comfort (not yours). Building these relationships will help you to determine the stakeholders in the community.
- Be mindful of the community: do not schedule meetings during times that people cannot make it (e.g. 12: 00 pm during the day, 8:00 pm at night), because they are working or taking care of their families. Try to schedule multiple meetings/ other chances for the communities to participate.
- Pick venues that are familiar and are easily accessible for the people you want there. Don’t host a meeting that is halfway across town.
- Compensation: Unless people are willingly/informed about giving their time to attend stake-holder meetings, sitting on panels and the like, reimburse them for their labour and time. Show them that you appreciate the time that they are taking out of their day and willingness to share their knowledge and experience.
Take Action:
- Consider ways your lifestyle impacts the environment and adopt sustainable practices—like reducing waste, choosing local products, and supporting companies with sustainable and ethical practices. Look into how the companies you purchase from either help or hinder vulnerable communities with their business practices.
- Research local and national candidates who prioritize environmental / climate justice and work on the ground to support communities at risk. Use your voice to advocate for environmental policies that address inequalities. This can be an effective way to make real change.
- Encourage the support of environmental policies that prioritize vulnerable communities. For example, advocate for affordable public transportation, more green spaces, or clean-up initiatives in high-risk areas.
- Support local and national organizations focused on environmental and climate justice.
This series was written by our Head of Standards, Dr Andrea Edwards. To inspire you further, Andrea has put together a playlist filled with 50 tunes related to environmental and climate justice. Grab your headphones and have a listen here.
