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Environmental justice is racial justice.
Here’s why:
Here’s why:
Our history books don’t teach us that the American economy thrived off the backs of stolen people, stolen labor, and stolen land.
Over and over again, this country has “developed” at the expense of BIPOC communities.
Over and over again, this country has “developed” at the expense of BIPOC communities.
European settlers violently removed Native nations from their homelands during the “Termination” period.
These settlers—many “founders” of cities like STL—cleared land for agriculture, planned cities, and designated National Parks. Then they restricted those spaces by race.
These settlers—many “founders” of cities like STL—cleared land for agriculture, planned cities, and designated National Parks. Then they restricted those spaces by race.
Over the centuries, those with power invested more and more in fossil fuels—coal, oil, and now natural gas.
Wealthy white communities benefited from the comforts of electricity. Meanwhile, workers grew sick, ecosystems were poisoned, and BIPOC communities displaced.
Wealthy white communities benefited from the comforts of electricity. Meanwhile, workers grew sick, ecosystems were poisoned, and BIPOC communities displaced.
Whether from hazardous workplaces, nearby fossil fuel extraction, or pollution from coal-fired power plants, BIPOC experienced much higher rates of serious illness.
All the while, fossil fuel companies lobbied for bigger and bigger subsidies, knowing the risks of climate change.
All the while, fossil fuel companies lobbied for bigger and bigger subsidies, knowing the risks of climate change.
In 1987, United Christ Church released the landmark report “Toxic Waste and Race,” which showed the #1 factor affecting placement of toxic waste was race.
In 2007, they released a follow-up. The conclusion? That little has changed in 20 years.
In 2007, they released a follow-up. The conclusion? That little has changed in 20 years.
The NAACP has shown that BIPOC are disproportionately impacted by coal plants. 78% of Black Americans live within 30 miles of one or more plants.
Meanwhile, many of us suffer from respiratory conditions; in St. Louis, Black kids are 10x more likely to visit the ER for asthma.
Meanwhile, many of us suffer from respiratory conditions; in St. Louis, Black kids are 10x more likely to visit the ER for asthma.
Just yesterday, the EPA stripped 38 tribes in Oklahoma of their sovereignty over environmental issues.
It’s become clear that the Trump SCOTUS could strip most constitutional sovereignty from native nations. https://twitter.com/jtlarsen/status/1313088281207287813
It’s become clear that the Trump SCOTUS could strip most constitutional sovereignty from native nations. https://twitter.com/jtlarsen/status/1313088281207287813
Now with climate change, we’re seeing the same patterns play out.
BIPOC communities are hit first and worst by climate crises of all kinds—floods, droughts, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes, coastal loss…
The list goes on and on and on.
BIPOC communities are hit first and worst by climate crises of all kinds—floods, droughts, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes, coastal loss…
The list goes on and on and on.
We will not let mega-corporations like Shell, BP, Peabody, & Exxon off the hook for burning our world, contaminating our air, poisoning our water, and destroying our communities just to turn a profit.
We have to fight with everything we’ve got. Our whole future is at stake.
We have to fight with everything we’ve got. Our whole future is at stake.
