Environmental Racism and Justice

Key Examples

• Houston City-Owned Landfills: 100% in Predominantly Black Neighborhoods
• Incinerators in Houston: 6 Out of 8 in Predominantly Black Neighborhoods

Warren County Case

• Toxic waste landfill in predominantly black county
• Galvanized the conversation on environmental racism
• Protests: Blocked trucks, laying in streets, arrests

Emergence of Environmental Justice Movement

• Community's Right to a Clean Environment
• 2 decades for mainstream environmental and civil rights movements to converge
• Emphasis on race, class, and power dynamics

Environmental Justice for All

• Core Issue: Race and class disparities in environmental burden
• Recognizes community empowerment and human rights