Civil Rights Movement
Start of addressing social and racial inequality. Early civil rights activists noticed a pattern in that communities of color faced higher exposure to toxic substances , hazardous materials, and industrial waste.
“Silent Spring”
This book by author Rachel Carson detailed the harm caused by DDT, industrial malpractice, and political coverups over environmental issues and exposures.
A change in momentum
The first Earth Day brought about over 20 million Americans to advocate for climate and environmental protection and regulation.
Birth of the EPA
Following public outcry over environmental concerns, President Nixon supports and authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). Early laws were passed, but did little to address preexisting racial inqualities.
North Carolina PCB protest and the Birth of Environmental Justice
Residents of Warren County, NC, a predominately back neighborhood, protested the placement and implementation of a PCB Landfills. Over the course of 6 weeks, over 500 arrests were made, leading to this movement being considered the birth of Environmental Justice and the term “Environmental Racism”
“Toxic Wastes and Race”
Commissioned by the United Church of Christ, this report outlined that race is the strongest prediction of where hazardous sites were located. The report confirms widespread environmental racism.
National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit
Drafted 17 principles of Environmental Justice. This event singled a change in public policy, from grassroots to organized advocacy.
Executive Order: 12898
Signed in to order by President Clinton, this order forced federal agencies to incorporate environmental justice policies and regulations.
Flint Water Crisis
The low-income and mostly black population were exposed to lead in the city water system. Despite previous regulator actions, highlights the continued presence of racial disparity.
Executive Order: 14096
Signed in to order by President Biden, this order signified a shift in favor of environmental justice, reinforcing EO 12898 and started the Justice40 Initiative that aimed to invest at least 40% of federal climate investments towards disadvantaged communities.
Executive Order: 14172-73
Following the inauguration of President Trump, these EO’s rescinded EO 12898 and 14096, marking an unsure future for the cause of environmental justice.