Author: tatsob

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More Money = Better Air Quality (and Vice Versa): Income-related Environmental Inequality in Europe

This article presented graphs correlating certain area’s income to their air quality across Europe. Specifically focused on the presence of PM2.5 in the air, the study found worse air quality in the 20% poorest cities across Europe as opposed to the 20% richest. PM2.5 is found to cause more premature deaths than any other air pollutant in Europe. Data taken from 2007-2021 found a consistent gap between richer and poorer areas regarding the amount of PM2.5 in the air. Although the disparity remained, both region’s air quality improved over time. Overall this data reinforced the idea that environmental inequality persists across economic differences, too. 

 

It’s super interesting that this data was taken across the entire European Union, not just a certain country/city. I think it emphasizes more of how prevalent environmental racism really is. Often I can associate environmental injustice with race or ethnicity, but this statistic reinforced the issue of class inequality. It’s disappointing that how much money you have could influence your risk of premature death. At least I’m glad air quality seems to be improving since 2007, hopefully, we can close the gap in air quality based on income.

Income-related environmental inequalities between regions associated with air pollution in Europe. European Environment Agency’s home page. (2024, September 27). https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/income-related-environmental-inequalities-associated 

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Rio de Janeiro’s Environmental “Sacrifice Zones” are Based in Racial Inequity

This article reflects on a documentary about environmental racism in Brazil’s favelas (crowded cities of Rio de Janeiro). After floods devastated regions, sometimes placing them entirely underwater, some residents called out the insufficient infrastructure and environmental relief policies. They also emphasized that the cities most impacted by toxic waste pollution, poor sanitation and sewage infrastructure, and inaccessible drinking water have predominantly Black and poor populations. Many politicians view these areas as “sacrifice zones” and don’t put in the necessary work to address these environmental inequities and dangers. The article concludes by emphasizing the necessity of advocating and listening to local voices to understand and change such problems. 

 

It was very interesting to notice the similarities to environmental racism in the United States. Just like in the USA, cities with high Black populations (descendants of slavery in Brazil) are treated worse by policies and suffer more from environmental issues and disparities. Systemic and political racism exists around the world—especially in the Americas—which is super sad and disappointing. It’s heartbreaking that even though climate change is going to impact everyone, certain communities’ issues will be attended to more than others (or won’t be attended to). Glad to know that issues like these are being discussed in media and educational spaces, though. I was happy that the article ended with some hope, bringing up how the documentary was taught in educational spaces, reinforcing the power of awareness. 

Leon, F. (2024, July 17). The Challenge of Making Environmental Racism Visible as Reflected in the Documentary Film ‘How to Survive Environmental Racism.’ RioOnWatch. https://rioonwatch.org/?p=78757 

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How the Indigenous Maori in New Zealand combat climate change

In “Aotearoa,” the Indigenous Maori word for New Zealand, Maori communities are feeling the consequences of climate issues that they did not start. Despite their innocence, many Moari people are involved in projects to restore the natural environment. Many Maori traditions, customs, and living conditions are rooted in New Zealand’s natural ecosystems. For example, whales are sacred to Maori culture but are endangered due to sea level rise, ocean acidification, whaling, and endangered krill populations. Additionally, invasive species, originally introduced by European settlers, threaten local biodiversity and ecosystems. Despite these challenges, many Maori communities are acting to restore and replenish the environment to preserve the Maori legacy and global health.

 

Another example of a community reaping the consequences of an issue they didn’t sow. It was interesting to read about the different aspects of the earth and how it corresponds to certain Maori beliefs, traditions, and practices. I think modern/Western industries have a lot to learn from Indigenous nations like this one. Culturally rooted in the land, the Maori navigate with such mindfulness and appreciation that is extremely admirable. This article inspired me to be more hands-on with environmental work, doing my part to help restore the earth’s natural state.

Elassar, A. (2024, August 10). By land, sea and sky, Māori are using indigenous knowledge to combat climate change. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/10/climate/climate-change-maori-new-zealand/index.html 

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Legacy of South Africa’s Apartheid Persist in Environmental Policies

This article describes how the legacy of South Africa’s apartheid impacts environmental racism today. During the apartheid from 1940s-1990s, there was institutionalized segregation and inequality between Black and White residents in South Africa. This segregation influenced almost every area of life, and environmental policy was no different. White neighborhoods were required to be at least 50km away from nuclear plants to avoid the consequences of pollution, but Black ones were as close to 24km. Although the apartheid has officially ended, its legacy remains and can be seen in how Black neighborhoods still remain dangerously close to nuclear plants. Coined “nuclear racism,” the lack of protection from such pollution for certain regions based on demographics, is an example of environmental injustice in South Africa.  

 

It’s sad, but really interesting, how things that happened “so many” years ago still impact modern society so clearly. Even with the end of apartheid, there should’ve been some more intentional restoration or “reconstruction” to create some more equality in South Africa. It was also interesting that just like in the USA, proximity to factories/nuclear plants directly correlates with racial demographics of a region. Environmental racism is a global issue, impacting the health of people every day—I wish it was discussed more.

Overy, N. (2024, July 1). Opinion: Nuclear waste and racial injustice: South Africa’s troubling legacy. Earthlife Africa. https://earthlife.org.za/opinion-nuclear-waste-and-racial-injustice-south-africas-troubling-legacy/ 

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“Climate change isn’t India’s fault, but it is India’s responsibility”

Due to climate change, India is increasingly experiencing dangerously high temperatures. In the summer of 2024, New Delhi reached a record of 126 degrees Fahrenheit. Home to 33 million people, there were countless deaths related to the heat, as well as AC explosions and water purifiers (and many other things) melting in the sun. According to the article almost 90 percent of India “lies in extreme heat danger zones” and the asphalt and cement infrastructure of the city traps heat, worsening the impacts of such heat waves and mitigating access to clean water. The Indian government doesn’t do enough to solve the issues of this problem but argues that it should fall onto the responsibility of the countries contributing the most to the carbon emissions that cause such detrimental climate effects. Having AC and refrigerators is becoming an issue of life or death in India, and economic disparities are only worsening this inequality. The article ended by offering solutions to help the increasing crisis and presenting the fact that India’s growing population and economy will cause India to become a main contributor to carbon emissions in the near future.

Really interesting article. India is super populated, so any climate issue will really be felt on a detrimental level I think, and this is no different. It was very sad to read how India’s governments don’t present the true number of deaths due to the heat waves, but I agree with them on the point of carbon responsibility. This was another example of a country/community suffering the the actions of another. Hopefully, we can implement some of the proposed solutions and work to avoid/mitigate India’s carbon footprint in the future as well. 

Krishnan, V. (2024, July 18). Climate change isn’t India’s fault, but it is India’s responsibility. Harvard Public Health Magazine. https://harvardpublichealth.org/environmental-health/india-climate-change-perpetuates-injustices-against-vulnerable/ 

 

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Native American Communities Impacted by Environmental Racism

Climate Change and the Health of Indigenous Populations. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-and-health-indigenous-populations 

 

Indigenous communities/reservations are also victims of environmental racism in the United States. Native Americans have higher rates of asthma and other medical conditions. Contaminated drinking water impacts reservations (ie. Fort Apache in Arizona) and causes disease and diarrhea in infants at high rates. Climate change also impacts Indigenous populations with rising water temperatures causing sickness by swimming, drinking, or fishing it. Climate change is worsening the historical trauma of racism for Native Americans. Many tribes have lost land mass to climate change, separating communities, families, and ethnic groups. Climate change impacts the respiratory health of residents, access to food, mental health, and more.

 

Although such climate issues may be heightened because of the living circumstances of Native Americans, the issues described are soon to impact all people on Earth on a similar level, I think. I fear that we aren’t taking enough political action to protect or aid those affected or to mitigate those who will soon be in the future. On certain reservations facing environmental hazards based on the actions of the U.S. government/businesses, there is no adequate action taken. Again, I am disappointed and saddened by what I read. This article relates to environmental science because a lot of what Native populations are facing is a direct result of human-induced global warming. We need to use what we know from environmental science to help change the world!

 

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History of Environmental Racism in USA

Miller, J. (2024). From environmental racism to environmental justice. Retrieved from https://njsbf.org/2024/08/13/from-environmental-racism-to-environmental-justice/ 

 

The term “environmental racism” was created by Dr. Ben Chavis in 1982 when there was illegal dumping in a 60% Black North Carolina neighborhood. According to the EPA, Black children are 2 times more likely to go to the hospital for asthma than White children, exhibiting the impacts of environmental racism in statistics. Redlining forced Black people to move into hazardous neighborhoods, with impacts still seen today. Lack of regulation doesn’t only impact Black people but lower-income communities in general. The creation of highways also has a racist history by being built through thriving Black communities to mitigate their success, naming systemic racism’s connection to environmental justice. Throughout the years more efforts have been made in environmental justice, like the 2024 bill that attempts to restore the communities that were destroyed by said highways.

 

With a greater context of environmental racism in the United States, I became more angry with such a hateful and discriminatory history in the USA. Often when I think of environmental racism I think of fossil fuels and climate change, but this article helped me to understand the agricultural aspect of it (with highways). This is related to environmental science because such studies have helped us understand the impacts of human technological developments and how to reverse some of the damage done. Environmental science with political action will help us to better our society.

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Modern Examples of Environmental Racism

Staff, W. by    NewsOne. (2024). 10 modern-day examples of environmental racism. Retrieved from https://newsone.com/5175547/environmental-racism-earth-day/ 

 

This article names 10 examples of the impacts of environmental racism. In Flint, Michigan lead-contaminated water in a predominately Black city caused negative health problems that took many efforts to create sufficient action to avoid similar incidents. Similarly in Jackson, Mississippi (85.5% Black) residents struggle with access to clean drinking water (E.coli, etc). In Detroit due to air pollution residents face lung issues affecting children, pregnant women, and more. They list many other examples in California, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, New York, Louisiana, etc that cause land, air, and water pollution seriously impacting the health of residents. They presented statistics of overwhelming numbers of asthma and more in these communities as a result of such living conditions.

 

It was sad to read this article, especially imagining the individuals impacted by such realities. Although each case has shined more light onto the issue of environmental racism, there was little mention of the political efforts taken to improve these situations. You’d think society has progressed enough to avoid such clear racist societal issues or that access to clean drinking water in America would be nationally accessible, but I guess not. We have a long way to go in sustainability because even if these issues stop affecting Black communities, they will most likely affect someone one. No one should have to deal with this.

 

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California Oil Refineries and Environmental Justice

Riedl, D., & Saha, D. (2024). In a clean energy future, what happens to California’s thousands of oil refinery workers? Retrieved from https://www.wri.org/insights/ca-oil-refineries-just-transition Although considered one of the United States’ greenest states, California has one of the USA’s biggest oil industries, impacting many. About .9 percent of California’s jobs are related to the oil factories and industries creating a larger issue of job replacement in search of a greener state. Mandates are requiring California’s emissions to be cut and efforts are being made to accommodate accordingly. Black Americans are 75% more likely than others to live by refineries and in Los Angeles County, this remains true with lower-income communities, causing economic and environmental issues. Even when the refineries close down, lead and benzene are expected to keep polluting the communities without the necessary and expensive efforts to clean up the areas affected. California continues to search for solutions to these timely issues of sustainability and environmental justice. I’m not surprised by the rates of communities of color being located next to oil refineries and hope that California and other states will take the action necessary to retract their impacts on such environments and not just leave the locations idle without addressing the issues. The issue of environmental justice and sustainability is a complex one and will take a long time to restore, but we need to take more intentional efforts. Hopefully, like the article names, California can create some solutions that the rest of the country can implement.
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Environmental Justice in Politics/Upcoming Elections


Bharath, P. (2024). Voting for our planet: Environmental justice & the 2024 elections. Retrieved from https://blog.nwf.org/2024/08/voting-for-our-planet-environmental-justice-the-2024-election/


With the upcoming November elections at local and national levels, the National Wildlife Federation Blog urges voters to consider environmental justice a vital issue. With climate change, technological advances, and unsustainable production practices, society faces many environmental hazards and potential dangers. Due to historical and modern racism, communities of color are largely burdened by being exposed to unclean water, air, and the environment. Healthy environments are a human right and should be considered when voting this upcoming November. They encouraged voters to vote YES on A Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act that will hold corporations accountable for environmental impacts and require them to take on more sustainable practices.

This article placed more emphasis on the impact of environmental racism and the importance of environmental justice in our legislative voting considerations. I agree that the laws/acts put into place for environmental justice will not only help the health of many citizens in the neighborhoods most affected by environmental hazards but will extend into helping all American citizens. I am inspired to do more research on the politics of environmental justice and how it is taking place in our upcoming elections.