The Environmental Justice Movement

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as the fair treatment for people of all races, cultures and incomes regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations and policies. The author stresses that the citing of hazardous waste sites and polluting industries in minority communities is an insidious form of environmental racism. The paper examines the landmark study "Toxic Waste and Race in the United States", commissioned by United Church of Christ, which revealed that race was the most significant variable associated with the location of hazardous waste sites.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Procedural Inequity
Geographical Inequity
Social Inequity

From the Paper:

"The town of Kettleman City is the site of a toxic waste dump built in 1979 by Chem Waste Incorporated. The community is predominately Mexican farm workers. During the public hearing and permitting phase of the project, Chem Waste and county authorities scheduled meetings to be held thirty-five miles away, conducted the proceeding in English only and did not provide translations of the environmental impact survey. The dump, while in operation received 200,000 tons of toxic material annually, resulting in numerous maladies of those unfortunate enough to live nearby."

More papers on The Environmental Justice Movement:

• Research Paper # 145853 : "Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898"
• Essay # 55295 : "Environmental Justice"
• Analytical Essay # 55294 : "Environmental Justice"

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