What is Environmental Racism & 24 Helpful Resources to Help You Learn More

Environmental racism is a relatively new concept for me and something I am learning more about everyday. Environmental racism refers to the way in which Black people, indigenous people and people of colour are disproportionately effected by the climate crisis. Since this is something that I am learning about, I wanted to share some resources with you that I have found useful and that can explain it much better than I can.

So What is Environmental Racism?

Let's start with some definitions...

"Environmental racism refers to public policies and industry practices disproportionately placing the burden of pollution, waste and the climate crisis on Black people, indigenous people and people of colour" - Waste Free Marie

" Environmental racism refers to the way in which minority group neighbourhoods (populated primarily by people of color and members of low socioeconomic groups) are burdened with a disproportionate number of hazards, including toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps, and other sources of environmental pollution and foul odours that lower the quality of life. All around the globe, members of minority groups bear a greater burden of the health problems that result from higher exposure to waste and pollution. This can occur due to unsafe or unhealthy work conditions where no regulations exist (or are enforced) for poor workers, or in neighbourhoods that are uncomfortably close to toxic materials." - Lumen Learning Sociology Course


News Articles
  • Megan Mayhew Bergman, "'They chose us because we were rural and poor': when environmental racism and climate change collide" The Guardian
  • Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, "I’m a black climate expert. Racism derails our efforts to save the planet." The Washington Post
  • Somini Sengupta, "Read up on the Links Between Racism and the Environment" The New York Times
  • Nina Lakhani & Jonathan Watts, "Environmental Justice Means Racial Justice, Say Activists" The Guardian
  • "Climate Change and Air Pollution are Race Issues" Friends of the Earth
  • Leah Thomas, "Why Every Environmentalist Should be Anti-Racist" Vogue

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