Environmental justice, by definition, is the equal treatment between all communities in regards to race, origin, or income with respect to the development of environmental policies and regulations. The environmental justice movement strives to address an often inequality in which lower class neighborhoods face less environmental protection, and in turn have less access to clean water and healthy food. This inconsistency began in the early 1980s, when an African American neighborhood was chosen to become a site for a hazardous-waste landfill. This incident was often talked about at the time, as numerous people brought up other instances in which communities with a heavy minority population have been targeted with being the site of a landfill. The environmental justice movement was started in the late 1980s, mostly by people of color, with the argument that everyone deserves to live in a safe and clean place. There are several women now who are working to get lower class communities the resources that they need for a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Beverly L. Wright was born in a heavily polluted area in Louisiana that was also known as ‘cancer alley’. She noted that her childhood experiences of living here strongly impacted her career choice. After doing research on her home and its relative area, she noticed the racial disparity and that most of the communities were filled with a majority of people of color. Wright is the founder and executive director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, which strives to address the health concerns in the south. Additionally, she created a curriculum being used in New Orleans for elementary schoolers to learn about environmental justice.
Heather McTeer Toney is the first African American mayor of Greenville, Mississippi. This area was plagued with water pollution, and had a high poverty rate. Toney focused on environmental issues such as protecting the clean water supply. In 2014, former President Obama nominated her to serve as Regional EPA Administrator for Region 4. She has been named as a potential EPA Administrator. In addition, Toney is National Field Director for Moms Clean Air Force, a nonprofit organization that focuses on battling air pollution.
Kandi Mossett-White is striving to improve environmental conditions for Native American communities. She has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management, and works with the Indiginous Environmental Network. At the moment, she is the Native Energy & Climate Campaign Organizer for IEN, and focuses on spreading awareness and information about the long term effects of hydraulic fracturing on native lands. Additionally, she testified before the US Congress to discuss climate related problems.
Women of color have made instrumental discoveries, provided important research and have gone to extreme lengths to support the environmental justice movement. Some ways to combat the inequality in which lower class communities face less environmental protection is to talk to representatives, educate yourself constantly, donate to organizations (if able), and boycott corporations that are not environmentally responsible.
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