A Brief History of Environmental Justice

Landfills, chemical waste facilities and power plants are more often built in poor and minority communities, which don't have the power or money to advocate for themselves.

For decades, these communities have called for environmental justice: the idea that people shouldn't be forced to deal with more pollution because they belong to a certain race, national origin or income bracket.

It's a simple notion, but America has struggled for decades to implement any policies that actually protect poor and minority communities from environmental toxins. Now, President Trump's budget seeks to end the Office of Environmental Justice and cut overall funding to the EPA by 31%. What will happen to the marginalized communities that most need a government advocate?

Images:
CNN, Fox News, MTV, AP, The EcoLogic Channel, José da Vede, Chicago Sun Times, St. Louis Public Radio, Leroy Woodson via The Atlantic, Frank J Aleksandrowicz via The Atlantic, Harry Shaefer via The Atlantic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Julie Dermanksy, CBS News

Music:
“Climbing the Mountain” - Podington Bear
“Falcon Hood Tight” - Podington Bear

[kiranrao]

no one:
trump, an intellectual: we can leave a lil bit

[jaydenlemus]

Environmental justice is the process of achieving fair treatment and meaningful participation for every person in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income.

[ClothesObsessed]

would really wish there to be some references!

[zeezas]

This is crazy interesting, thank you for sharing!

[sprinklerrboi]

I greatly appreciate this video. Would you mind if I included this in a presentation for undergraduate students?

[jeremyramirez]

Thank you Talia! And the producers of this video, very informative, and I found the scrolling timeline on the left side of the video especially helpful in grasping the time

[alanhope]

I'd love to see you post the full quote from that Trump/Wallace interview.

[thecandyvancan]

Recently spent my birthday gifts on donations to ProPublica and the National Resource Defense Council. Best use of a birthday yet...

[davemartinez]

Who's here from the 3-2-1 response papers?

[ike]

Why do think the government of Flint, MI took advantage of people of this socioeconomic status?

[zemorakeller]

Thanks for posting.  Enjoyed video, very informative.

[wlittleman]

I bought a McMansion in an upper-middle-class suburb. After living in the community for a few years, I found out there is naturally occurring asbestos in the area that can cause lung cancer. Who do I blame for this environmental injustice?

[ike]

How do you think voting can change environmental injustices communities face?

[deathscythe]

what comes from the earth must return to the why isn't it?

[GAURAVify]

Los angeles NEW YORK PORT ARTHUR and Houston Texas chicago and parts of Louisiana are the most pollutred cities in America. Alot of california cities have air pollution

[staywdre]

how are you verified with only 43k??? like wtf

[FastTrackHappiness]

@Cyn Moir - Environmental justice & Environmentalism are two separate movements. I encourage you to read 'Environmental Justice and Environmentalism, The Social Justice Challenge to the Environmental Movement' edited by RONALD SANDLER and PHAEDRA C. PEZZULLO to catch up with more current thinking. I admire the work you did and still do, but you're misunderstanding the distinctions between the two.

[Empress_Metal]

Who's here from Contemporary Environmental Issues class?

[deathscythe]

OK answer me this....where's the best place to dump garbage/

[danih]

Ummm a hurricane is an act of nature… has absolutely nothing do with this. 🙄