Environmental Justice

Environmental justice means that everyone deserves a clean and safe environment. Unfortunately, pollution and environmental problems often affect some communities more than others. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are more likely to live near factories, landfills, and polluted areas. Environmental justice works to fix this unfairness.

Unequal Impacts

Some neighborhoods have more pollution than others. Factories, highways, and waste dumps are often built near communities that have less political power. People in these areas may breathe dirtier air and drink less clean water. This can lead to higher rates of asthma and other health problems. Environmental justice aims to change this.

Working for Change

People around the world are standing up for environmental justice. Community groups organize to stop polluting projects from being built in their neighborhoods. Laws have been passed to make sure all communities are treated fairly. Students can help by learning about these issues and speaking up for their communities.

Fun Facts

• The environmental justice movement in the United States began in the 1980s in Warren County, North Carolina.
• In 1994, President Clinton signed an executive order to address environmental justice in minority communities.
• More than 160 countries have recognized the right to a clean environment as a human right.

Did You Know?

Studies show that communities of color in the United States are exposed to about 56 percent more air pollution than they produce!