Environmental Justice Movement

Definition

The Environmental Justice Movement is a social and political movement aimed at addressing the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities, advocating for equal protection and access to environmental resources regardless of race, income, or nationality. This movement highlights how certain groups, particularly low-income and minority populations, often bear the brunt of pollution and other environmental hazards, and it seeks to rectify these inequities through policy changes and grassroots activism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Environmental Justice Movement gained prominence in the United States during the 1980s, particularly after the 1982 protests against a toxic waste landfill in Warren County, North Carolina.
2. Executive Order 12898, signed by President Clinton in 1994, directed federal agencies to consider the effects of their programs on minority and low-income populations, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing environmental justice.
3. The movement is rooted in civil rights activism, recognizing that social justice and environmental protection are interconnected issues.
4. Environmental justice advocates push for community involvement in decision-making processes regarding land use and environmental policies to ensure that affected communities have a voice.
5. Key organizations within the movement include the National People’s Action and the Sierra Club's Environmental Justice Program, which work to mobilize communities for greater equity in environmental policy.

Review Questions

• How did the Environmental Justice Movement emerge as a response to systemic inequalities in environmental policy?
  • The Environmental Justice Movement emerged in response to systemic inequalities that allowed marginalized communities to face greater exposure to environmental hazards. Events like the protests against the toxic waste landfill in Warren County highlighted these disparities, drawing attention to how low-income and minority populations were disproportionately affected by pollution. The movement advocates for equal treatment in environmental laws and policies, emphasizing that all communities should have access to a healthy environment.
• Discuss the significance of Executive Order 12898 in promoting environmental justice within federal agencies.
  • Executive Order 12898, signed in 1994 by President Clinton, was significant because it mandated that federal agencies consider the environmental impacts of their actions on minority and low-income populations. This order institutionalized environmental justice into federal policy-making, requiring agencies to assess how their programs might adversely affect vulnerable communities. By incorporating environmental justice into federal operations, this order aimed to mitigate historical injustices and ensure equitable treatment for all citizens concerning environmental health risks.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of grassroots activism within the Environmental Justice Movement in bringing about policy change.
  • Grassroots activism has proven highly effective within the Environmental Justice Movement as it empowers local communities to advocate for their rights and push for policy changes. By organizing protests, community meetings, and collaborations with other organizations, grassroots efforts have raised awareness about specific injustices faced by marginalized populations. These local movements often lead to broader coalitions that can influence state and national policies, demonstrating that grassroots activism is crucial for achieving tangible change and ensuring that voices from affected communities are heard in the decision-making process.

Related terms

Disproportionate Impact: The concept that certain communities, particularly low-income and minority groups, face greater environmental hazards and health risks due to systemic inequalities.

Environmental Racism:

The deliberate placement of hazardous waste sites, landfills, and polluting industries in or near communities predominantly inhabited by people of color.

Advocacy:

The act of actively supporting or promoting a cause, which in the context of environmental justice includes lobbying for policies that protect vulnerable communities from environmental harm.