Environmental Justice Information
The Problem
All individuals and groups of people should live in a safe and healthy environment. However, because of their race, ethnicity, and income, many North Carolinians have been subjected to living in unsafe environments. This is environmental injustice! Environmental injustices exist because many businesses, government agencies, and other organizations in positions of power have discriminatory practices and policies. This is what it means when something becomes “institutionalized.” Environmental injustices occur not only in our backyard, but also at the state, national, and international level. This means that it is everyone’s problem.
What is Environmental Justice?
- Environmental justice means that people of all races, cultures, and incomes should be able to live in a safe and healthy environment.
- It also means that everyone should be treated fairly and equally.
- Lastly, no groups of people, based on race, ethnicity, or income, should experience an unequal share of environmental problems because of actions (or inactions) and policies of the private industry or government institutions.
What are the “principles” of Environmental Justice?
The “Principles of Environmental Justice” were adopted on October 27, 1991 in Washington, D.C. Below are a select few. Environmental Justice…
- Demands that public policy decisions be based on mutual respect and justice for all people, free from any form of discrimination or bias.
- Calls for universal protection from dangerous practices that threaten the fundamental right to clean air, land, water, and food.
- Demands that those responsible for the production of dangerous substances be responsible for safely protecting the environment.
- Insists that community members participate as equal partners at every level of decision making that might affect their health.
- Recognizes the right of all workers to a safe and healthy environment without being forced to choose between an unsafe job and unemployment.
Executive Order 12898
In 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898 to address environmental justice in minority and low-income populations. More...