In many places across the globe, people share their neighborhoods with hazardous waste facilities, chemically contaminated areas, and toxic incinerators. The story of communities living in contamination is neither rare nor surprising anymore. However, did you know that not all of us get exposed to toxic waste and pollution equally? Many different studies have provided strong evidence for disproportionate vulnerability to environmental hazards that mainly affects the people of color, immigrants, indigenous communities, women, and members of low socioeconomic groups. This pattern has been referred to as Environmental Racism – the concept that developed as a part of the environmental justice movement.
Scholars have been trying to determine the root causes of environmental racism. Different explanations have been suggested including socioeconomic factors, politics, and pure discrimination. We will be taking a quick look over a few:
The very first step towards tackling environmental inequalities is the recognition of the problem, its scale, and its determinants. Broader challenges with racial implications should be addressed with adequate law and enforcement. Countries, Organizations, and individual communities should invest in creating equitable societies and the majority of responsibility relies on those with resources and power to do so. The Contemporary world should promote an ethical and irreproachable decision-making process instead of prioritizing sole profits. Ecofriendly technologies and technological advancement in general can also serve as great relief while resolving disparity issues.
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