A chain reaction. Ripples in a pond. The domino effect.
That’s how you might describe what followed Dr. Robert Bullard’s research in 1970s Houston. Known as “the father of environmental justice,” he began collecting data around a lawsuit (Bean vs. Southwestern Waste Management Corp.), trying to discern whether the placement of a municipal landfill in a predominantly African American community was truly random or part of a pattern.
Here’s what he found: even though Black Houstonians only made up 25 percent of the city, 82 percent of all waste was dumped in their neighborhoods. This is an example of environmental injustice, and it doesn’t stop there.
Take the “zip code vs. genetic code” dilemma. In 2019, Time Magazine reported a 30-year difference in life expectancy for residents of Chicago, Illinois. The residents in question lived only miles apart.
“Your zip code is the greatest predictor of how long you are expected to live. Not your blood pressure, not your cholesterol levels, not your genetics. Your zip code.”
– Jamie DuCharme and Elijah Wolfson, Time Magazine
From air pollution and toxin exposure to accessibility of healthy food, green space, and medical care, where you live drastically affects your health outcomes. More importantly, the cities with the widest gaps in life expectancy, the researchers found, were those that were most segregated by race and ethnicity. So, it’s no surprise that a pattern has emerged since Dr. Bullard’s early research: Environmental racism is not accidental.
Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all individuals—regardless of their race, national origin, or income—in developing, implementing, and enforcing environmental laws and regulations. Part of environmental justice is recognizing that certain communities, particularly marginalized and low-income groups, disproportionately bear the burden of environmental pollution and hazards.
According to Dr. Bullard, true environmental justice would mean the people who benefit most from industrial growth also share in the burdens of its hazards and health impacts.
“The first principle of environmental justice is: People who are most impacted must be in the room and at the table to speak for themselves,” said Bullard. “It’s common sense that you would get those individuals and institutions to talk about how we’re going to go forward as opposed to planning with some diplomats who have never lived close to the problem.”
“The problem,” in this case, lies much deeper than municipal waste sites. The reality of environmental sustainability is that it’s inextricable from social sustainability, which takes into account systemic inequalities to ensure everyone has access to the same opportunities and outcomes (regardless of zip code, for example). In fact, all three pillars of sustainable development are inextricably linked. They serve as a framework that promotes long-term well-being for the planet and the present and future generations living on it—but only if those pillars are balanced.
Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to U.S. Congress, once said, “If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
In the fight for climate justice, that’s exactly what marginalized communities did. On October 24, 1991, nearly 300 Black, Native, Latino, Pacific Islander, Asian American, and other minority activists gathered in Washington, D.C. to discuss, for the first time in history, the environmental injustices their communities were experiencing. Over four intense days, 17 principles of environmental justice were drafted at the National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit.
Overarchingly, the principles are a call to action — a list of demands to achieve true climate justice:
Those are the principles, but why do they matter?
Because environmental justice is a human right, and it aligns with the fundamental rights of all individuals.
Let’s explore some of the overarching themes of the principles of environmental justice.
In the age of information, environmental justice runs the risk of being a buzzword. This has caused many journalists, activists, and members of the public to use the terms “environmental justice” and “environmental equity” interchangeably.
In reality, they aren’t interchangeable. If “environmental equity” is a fundamental human right, environmental justice is the act of protecting that right.
The distinction between justice and equity matters, especially considering principle #2 of environmental justice—that public policy must be based on mutual respect and justice for all people.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way — especially when it comes to environmental justice principle #5.
The Will: There is a fundamental right to political, economic, cultural, and environmental self-determination for all peoples. In other words — there is a need for inclusive decision-making processes and environmental justice.
The Way: Participatory justice, or the direct participation of those affected most by a particular decision in the decision-making process itself.
According to WE ACT for Environmental Justice, there are methods using participatory justice to empower marginalized communities in policy-making and planning:
Adopting sustainable practices is necessary if we’re going to have a future that's equitable for all, including:
The environmental justice movement requires all of us, and no role is too small.
The Graduate Programs in Sustainability at Bard empower environmental justice champions through transformative degree programs where sustainability is baked in, not bolted on. Whether you are looking for environmental justice jobs or are just embarking on your environmental justice journey, we have four tracks for you:
If you’re interested in joining the movement and becoming an agent of change, learn more about the state of environmental justice.