Another Rising Tide: Environmental Justice
~Written by volunteer, Kelsey Evans. Kelsey is an English and Environmental Studies student at Rice University.
Dr. Robert Bullard, “Father” of Environmental Justice. Photo courtesy Beat News
When I ponder what it means to conserve and restore, habitats and animals are the first thing that come to mind. I envision morning birdsong on the trails, egrets swooping on the bayou, ducks and turtles gliding through the water, and grasses rustling in the prairie, to name a few. I like to imagine all of these creatures and elements of life living in ecological unity.
This imagination may be picturesque, but it is not realistic. If we want to be environmentalists, we need to do a better job imagining, discussing, and revolutionizing our roles in the movement - - and this begins with our relationships to each other. Equity and inclusion are important pillars of conservation and restoration, so I’d like to talk about another rising tide: Environmental Justice. The EPA defines Environmental Justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.”
In 1991, delegates met to establish the principles of Environmental Justice, which include calls to affirm our relationship with the Earth through ecological unity, as well as to protect the right to be free from ecological destruction.
We need Environmental Justice because minority and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. They are more likely to breathe polluted air and be located near toxic waste sites. They are less equipped to recover from natural disasters, and as seen during Hurricane Harvey, they are less likely to receive help to rebuild. And according to the Fourth National Health Assessment, they are the most susceptible to the escalating dangers of climate change.
The Environmental Justice movement first emerged in Houston in the 1980’s when TSU professor Robert Bullard, the “father of environmental justice,” began research about landfills located in some of Houston’s black communities. Now, the location of industrial plants and refineries on the East side of Houston is just one area where environmental inequities hit close to home.
The National Parks first excluded people of color, and today, minorities fall significantly behind on experiencing the outdoors. For example, in any given year, less than half of black adolescents will participate in just one outdoor activity. We must acknowledge the systemic advantages that can make nature and a healthy environment more accessible.
As Dr. Bullard described in an interview, “Environmental justice incorporates the idea that we are just as much concerned about wetlands, birds and wilderness areas, but we're also concerned with urban habitats, where people live in cities, about reservations, about things that are happening along the US-Mexican border, about children that are being poisoned by lead in housing and kids playing outside in contaminated playgrounds.”
Dr. Bullard emphasizes that we must educate and empower all people. We are, after all, “talking about planet earth, where we live. If in fact we are going to have a global movement for environmental justice, we have to understand what the environment is and what agendas are. A lot of grassroots groups are saying that we have to work in our communities.” Some of Houston’s organizations that can help you stay involved and informed include Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.), Transition Houston, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Sierra Club Regional Group, Air Alliance Houston, and the Sunrise Movement Houston Hub.
While these times may feel isolating and divisive, we should instead see this as an opportunity to come together to make nature inclusive and equitable. Now more than ever, we should strive to reconnect not just with nature, but with each other.
Students of Furr High School in their community garden located in Northeast Houston. Furr is the first environmental justice school in the country. Photo courtesy the Houston Chronicle.