environmental justice, Equity & Racism

SOC 439

UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA DEPT OF SOCIOLOGYLecturer: Dr Nelson Sello May 9 2016

Author: Mr Koketso Kanekane

In the world of today characterized by and faced with various inequalities and environmental

problems, these problems are caused and affect us differently. The most vulnerability to the

effects of these problems are influenced by economic factors and are gendered, affecting

especially women than men. According to (Frechette, 2002), environmental problems do not

affect everyone equally. Environmental injustice occurs whenever innocent people bear

disproportionate environmental risks, have unequal access to goods like clean air, or have

unequal voice in imposition of environmental risks. (Frechette, 2002) goes on to argue that most

minorities and poor people are victims of environmental injustice, either because of their

increased health risks or because of the way their rights are limited.

Environmental Justice as defined by (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2016) 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. In peace with this, (Washington, 2012) argues that

environmental Justice covers the adverse and disparate health impact and environmental burden

that affects marginalized populations all over the world. To mention but a few environmental

justice principles are1; 1) It affirms the sacredness of Mother Earth, ecological unity and the

interdependence of all species, and the right to be free from ecological destruction. 2) It demands

that public policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all peoples, free from any form of

discrimination or bias. 3) Mandates the right to ethical, balanced and responsible uses of land

and renewable resources in the interest of a sustainable planet for humans and other living things.

4) Calls for universal protection from nuclear testing, extraction, production and disposal of

toxic/hazardous wastes and poisons and nuclear testing that threaten the fundamental right to

clean air, land, water, and food. The Environmental Justice Movement emerged in the 1980s in

reaction to discriminatory environmental practices including toxic dumping, municipal waste

facility siting, and land use decisions which negatively affected communities of color2.

(Miller, 2003, p. 228) “Environmental justice is defined as a broad conceptual frame word used by

organizations and groups that seek and promote social justice whereas environmental equity is

1 These principles were drafted and adopted by Delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit held on October 24-27, 1991, in Washington DC, United States of America.2 See more at http://www.avoiceonline.org/environmental/history.html Accessed 8 April 2016

defined in the face of social inequalities implicit on environmental policies, asserts (Rios,

2000).”

(Ewall, 2012-2013) The “equity” versus “justice” framing is more than mere semantics. It

represents the fundamental difference between the concepts of “poison people equally” and “stop

poisoning people, period!”

Environmental Justice Case Study by Deborah Kolben: North River Sewage Treatment Plant,

New York (West Harlem) 3

Problem, In West Harlem, a predominantly minority and low-income neighborhood located on

the northern section of Manhattan in New York City; in 1985 the North River Sewage Treatment

Plant was constructed in West Harlem. The Plant stretched eight blocks along the Hudson River

from covering 8 streets. Members of the community complained about overbearing odors4

emanating from the North River Sewage Treatment Plant ever since its construction. The plant

processes over 170 million gallons of raw sewage a day, causing offensive noxious smell, itchy

eyes, shortness of breath, and other symptoms often related to asthma and other respiratory

ailments. Residents complain about not being able to go out on their terraces or open up their

windows. The community board, Community Board 9, and WE ACT (West Harlem

Environmental Action) became active lobbyists for control of the plant. These groups continued

to put pressure on the administration and in 1991 an investigation was finally conducted. The

problem of smell was addressed and an investigation and money was allocated to address the

problems found. The problem has then been solved by strictly monitoring the plant though

problems related to asthma still need to be addressed.

Environmental justice and equity are the best approaches to go about if we want unified,

sustainable, healthy and permanent community based developments. Professor Paul Mohai5

maintains that “The long history of environmental justice activism in the United States can

provide an important guide for activists and researchers across the Globe to learn about strategies

3 Visit http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/ny.html Accessed 9 April 2016 for more4

5 From the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. https://discardstudies.com/2015/01/18/map-of-40-most-influential-environmental-justice-conflicts-in-the-us/ Accessed 9 April 2016

that vulnerable communities have used in the past to help improve conditions within their

communities.”

ReferencesEwall, M. E. (2012-2013). Sustainable Development Law and Policy,Volume XIII, Issue 1: Exploring

How Today’s Development Affects Future Generations Around the Globe. Washington: American University.

Frechette, K. S. (2002). Environmental Justice: Creating Equality, Reclaiming Democracy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Miller, J. R. (2003). Encyclopedia of Human Ecology: Volume 1: A-H. Denver and Oxford: ABC-CLIO.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2016, April 14). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency Web site: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice

Washington, S. H. (2012). Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Retrieved from Liebert Pub Web site: http://www.liebertpub.com/overview/environmental-justice/259/