In the era of broadly spread awareness of police brutality and mass incarceration, it is easy for some to lose sight of the underlying environmental issues we may not see physically or directly. When the dusk from carbon emissions and other toxic pollutants settle, communities of color are left with unfairly carrying the burden of not having access to the bare necessities that aid their existence. As one of the numerous verticals within racial injustice nationally, environmental justice is a concept that is occasionally left out of the conversation when focusing on discrimination against people of color or those of lower-income households.

As reported by a study with Yale University, 13 out of 14 African Americans were found to have been exposed to higher rates of pollutants (in comparison to White Americans). Many in areas like Flint, Michigan or Jackson, Mississippi, are faced with the harsh reality of being put on the back burner by many corporations and systems as it pertains to the impact of environmental racism. As defined by “the father of environmental justice” Robert D. Bullard, environmental racism is “any policy, practice, or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (where intended or unintended) individuals, groups, or communities based on race color.” 

The origins of environmental racism tie back to the 1930s after the emergence of redlining began in the United States as a way to prevent or slow the process of African Americans being able to purchase their own homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Justice is “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, and income in all environmental decisions and policies.” From lack of clean water to extensive amounts of air pollution, people of color have been disproportionately affected and, in some ways, targeted by this phenomenon. 

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The issue of air pollution is a sector within environmental racism that many social activists and advocates fight hard for because of its adverse health effects, both short and long-term. This was especially shown in a study conducted by Charles Lee, who served as director for the CRJ, which found race to be one of the highest determining factors regarding where to place toxic waste facilities. With this in mind, said decision-makers impact remains evident today. The areas that have been affected the most today include North and South Carolina, Cancer Alley, Louisiana, and the DMV area (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia), among a longer list that faces influxes of low air quality every day. 

During their time in office, the Biden Administration has made it a focal point to create more conversations surrounding air pollution and other matters within the alignment of sustainability for BIPOC. These conversations have led to grand-scale environmental organizations highlighting this problem more directly and lending their resources. This also includes the Inflation Reduction Act enacted during their leadership in 2022 and 2023.

Through this provision, there have now been new changes that have implemented more clean energy practices, tax credits, and investment programs to help fast-track the efforts of environmental organizations. However, in forums surrounding environmental advocacy, there is a lack of representation for people of color. “We are still seeing a lack of diversity regarding the decision-makers,” says Abre’ Conner, Director of Environmental and Climate Justice for the NAACP. “Unfortunately, we have not seen a large enough acknowledgment across the board of the work that organizers and environmental justice advocates have done to create financial and other investments in cleaner air.” 

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Conner has worked alongside her team in hopes of combating environmental racism one distinct issue at a time. This includes their work with the distribution of clean water in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, participating in the historic March to End Fossil Fuels, and advocating on the local, state, and federal levels for clean school buses for Black youth to ensure they are not inhaling air pollution from diesel school vehicles. Numerous nonprofit organizations nationwide have also contributed to the fight for more sustainable practices in their respective areas. The DMV-based organization Black Oak Collective has made it a point to fight for sustainable practices within communities of color and provide resources and connectivity among those who consider environmental reform their passion. 

Wes Gobar, one of the directors at Black Oak Collective, provided insight into his organization’s efforts while largely emphasizing the importance of African Americans working together toward change. “Find your community and find a way to promote environmental justice,” he tells GU. “It is hard to find opportunities without connection.” Gobar expressed his appreciation for BlackOak’s impactfulness and the hands-on approach others should take when seeking involvement. He also stressed the importance of the changing of hands, which is slowly taking place as the next generation of environmental leads begins to emerge. However, there is still an immediate need for additional training and education for these individuals. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, 73 percent of Millenials and 69 percent of Gen-Z’ers have been found to care about sustainable practices in their life. While these numbers are promising, only African Americans comprise approximately six percent of the age group. This disconnect could be due to the lack of information being received by these generations or even unawareness of the long-term effects of certain practices, as we’ve seen over the course of time. The hope is that future generations will carry the torch of environmental justice to make it part of their advocacy and healthy habits. 

In totality, it’s safe to say that communities of color are working towards changes and, in some cases, making changes toward a more sustainable society. However, the continued progression of these efforts will be contingent upon the spread of awareness. Additionally, finding actionable tasks to contribute locally or on a larger scale. “Without centering the most impacted, we will never achieve clean air for communities,” Conner says. “By creating solutions that work in the most overburdened places, we will also create solutions that help other communities.”

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About the Author: Sherdell Baker is a lifestyle and culture journalist who prides herself on diverse storytelling and shedding light on topics within the beauty, entertainment, and health space. In turn, this helps to contribute towards her passion of ensuring a more informed and innovative society from her work.