Environmentalism (Environmental Racism)

Environmental racism typically describes how people of color are excessively affected by environmental damage and racially driven environmental policies and practices. Those wielding power can, intentionally or unintentionally, promote public and private environmental initiatives that negatively impact some people and communities over others. Effects include health‐related disparities resulting from increased exposure to contaminants and pollution, spatializing practices, and political alienation. As a broad and diverse activist movement that inserts social justice into traditional environmentalism, environmental justice exposes and eliminates harmful and discriminatory environmental practices, shifts the burden of proof, and holds offenders accountable.