“What is Environmental Justice?
The results of the recent U of A sustainability survey showed that there is a great interest in Environmental Justice amongst students. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies (EPA). The Environmental Protection Agency has outlined that this goal “will be achieved when everyone enjoys:
- The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards
- Equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”
The Environmental Justice Movement has been spearheaded by African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and Pacific Islanders and Indigenous peoples who are addressing a statistical fact: people who live, work and play in America’s most polluted environments are commonly people of color and the poor (NRDC). A common example of environmental injustice is communities with a majority population of marginalized peoples being located near industry centers, which puts them at a higher risk for contaminated water, air, and other vital resources. In 2017, Arkansas legislation enacted the Arkansas Environmental justice Collaborative Action Plan. This plan outlined goals in four focus areas: Healthy Air, Water, and Land; Local Emergency Planning and Preparedness; Assistance with Grassroot Capacity Building, and Making a Visible Difference – Crossett, Arkansas. A detailed document of the action plan can be found here.
There are many faces to sustainability; however, environmental justice’s focus on the long-term effects of environmental degradation on people is becoming a key argument in the push for climate solutions. To learn more about environmental justice and the initiatives out there, check out the Intersectional Environmentalist blog and Instagram.
Our Pinterest has pinned some topics of interest, check out our Environmental Justice pins:
- Intersectional History of Environmentalism
- Climate Justice is Social Justice
- Outdoor Equity Advocates + Organizations to Support + Learn From
By Sydney Golding, Biodiversity Coordinator