74. Environmental Racism 101: Environmental Justice is Racial Justice
Jul 27, 2023
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Dr. Robert Bullard discusses environmental racism and its impact on marginalized communities. The podcast emphasizes the urgency of addressing environmental disparities and connecting environmentalism to racial justice. It also highlights the importance of avoiding climate do-mism and taking meaningful action to combat environmental issues.
Environmental racism disproportionately burdens people of color with pollution, waste, and the climate crisis.
Addressing environmental justice is a means to care for marginalized communities and promote racial equity.
Deep dives
Definition of Environmental Racism and Dr. Robert Bullard's Contribution
Environmental racism refers to public policies and industry practices that disproportionately burden people of color with pollution, waste, and the climate crisis. Dr. Robert Bullard, known as the father of environmental justice, has pioneered research on this topic for over 40 years. Through his work, he has highlighted how black and brown communities are more likely to be exposed to air pollution, unclean water, and other hazardous environmental conditions that negatively impact their life expectancy, even when income is held constant.
The Role of People and Policies in Environmental Racism
While the environment itself is not racist, policies and practices created by people lead to environmental racism. Discrimination and political neglect have resulted in the assignment of pollution and risk of disaster to black and brown communities. It is not an accident, but a pattern that plays out through policy decisions. The impacts of the climate crisis disproportionately affect communities of color, emphasizing that the effects are not just a future problem but a current reality. People of color, who contribute the least to the climate crisis, are the ones most affected by it.
Connecting Environmentalism to Racial Equity
Environmentalism should not solely focus on animals and nature but also on the well-being of marginalized communities. The state of the planet has a direct impact on the lives of people, particularly people of color. Caring for the planet is a way to care for these communities and promote environmental justice, which is closely intertwined with racial equity. Pursuing environmental justice through awareness, education, and actions can be a tangible and proactive means to help both the planet and the people who inhabit it.
A helpful introduction to environmental racism and environmental justice.
Also, this is the final Thursday episode for the time being. You can still expect new episodes every Tuesday. Thanks for your understanding and support. Plus, if you're looking for more, you can always check out older episodes you might've missed!
Mentioned: Dr. Robert Bullard Atlantic, Environmental Racism is the New Jim Crow Greenpeace, New Study: Fossil Fuels Disproportionately Impact Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Poor Communities