Rooted in Resilience: Black Resilience and Environmental Justice
The author is a Senior at Laurel School in Ohio.
"Environmental justice, for us, is not just about trees and clean air. It is about the right to breathe, the right to exist, and the right to thrive in a world that has historically tried to suffocate us." – Dr. Robert Bullard, Father of Environmental Justice
To discuss environmental injustices, you must address the systemic racist history of our country. Black history and the fight for our right to exist freely are deeply connected to the fight for environmental justice and reform, so much so that you can not talk about environmental justice unless you address the key Black figureheads of the movement and the substantial work they have accomplished. Throughout history and still to this day, communities of color are disproportionately victimized by environmental hazards. They are far more likely to reside in areas inundated with heavy pollution, exposing people of color to a multitude of illnesses and both mental and physical degradation.
From the forced labor on plantations that exploited both Black bodies and the land synchronously, to the modern-day reality of Black communities being disproportionately exposed to pollution, our relationship with the environment has always been shaped by systems of oppression and racism that surround and suffocate us. Yet, Black people have remained at the forefront of resistance and the environmental justice movement, fighting for land ownership, food security, and the right to live freely in safe and healthy environments.
To start, let’s analyze the transatlantic slave trade and its substantial contributions to environmental degradation and exploitation. The slave plantation economy was built on the cultivation of cash crops, which are agricultural products grown and harvested to gain sales and profit rather than for personal consumption. To obtain and cultivate these crops, such as tobacco, cotton, and sugarcane, vast tracts of land and enslaved labor were necessary to produce such massive amounts to meet the rising consumer population in Europe. The destruction of land to make space for farmland subsequently led to deforestation, soil depletion, and other negative effects, leading to devastating environmental consequences. Through resource extraction, many colonies were exploited to fuel European economic growth and industrialization. The production of only cash crops led to the land becoming monocultured, as large areas were cleared of forests to make room for farming and plantations; the regions' biodiversity was poorly affected, perpetuating climate degradation.
Even today, many former colonies have been unable to diversify their land due to the extremely detrimental environmental effects. The expansion of slavery was followed by environmental destruction through the aforementioned deforestation, soil depletion, and more right on the land we stand on, from deforestation to habitat loss, and with the era of the Industrial Revolution, the environment continued to be harmed as time continued. This land was also exploited alongside black bodies, with both falling victim to greed and the destructive, relentless pursuit of profit that saw no value in preservation, only in extraction, domination, and power.
Environmental racism and its prevalence today
The environmental justice movement, championed primarily by people of color, addressed the stark reality of environmental racism, especially in this country. Environmental racism refers to the negative burden of environmental hazards and pollution experienced by communities of color and other marginalized groups of people. Oftentimes, those who experience the brunt of environmental dangers are those who contribute the least to the problem. This racism is demonstrated in many different ways, such as placing industrial facilities and hazardous waste sites near schools and homes, and unequal access to equitable and efficient green spaces. Why is it that communities of color are often more likely to live and reside near pollution sources compared to white communities? Why is it that poverty-stricken neighborhoods are not receiving enough resources to rebuild after climate disasters?
Environmental injustices have been shaped by the same patterns of racism and inequality that have continued to flourish in the United States since this country’s birth and continue to shape and infiltrate almost every aspect of our societies, from housing to healthcare. From the foods we consume to the air we breathe, our well-being is based on the well-being of the area and environments we live in. Racial injustice has prevailed continuously through generations for centuries.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
The environmental justice movement
The early stages of the environmental movement were led by affluent white people during the early 1960s and initially focused on the preservation of natural resources. Unfortunately, the movement’s focus on “sublime nature” perpetuated social hierarchies and further marginalized vulnerable populations. While still significantly impactful, the early stages of the movement failed to recognize racial and social interconnectedness with environmental issues, neglecting the voices of those most deeply impacted, particularly marginalized communities and Indigenous peoples.
But as time continued, movements like the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s inspired people to recognize the fight against environmental dangers and adversities and work to address the injustices faced. The catalyst for the movement was in the 1980s through grassroots protests. The movement gained national attention as the residents of Warren County, North Carolina, fought relentlessly against the decision to build a toxic PCB landfill right within their community. Residents utilized non-violent tactics to counter the toxic infrastructure, but despite their efforts, the waste was eventually dumped. The Warren County protest spurred crucial research that demonstrated that race was a strong predictor of the locations of waste facilities nationwide. A subsequent meeting between the EPA and the Congressional Black Caucus laid out the concerns regarding inconsistent environmental inspections within minority communities.
It was then that the term "environmental racism” was created, coined by Dr. Benjamin Chavis as a response to the protests and the subsequent addresses of widespread evidence regarding environmental inequalities around the country. Thus, the Environmental Equity Workgroup was created as an established system that worked to assess the disproportionate environmental risks and burdens inflicted upon racial minority and low-income communities alike. These occurrences solidified the Environmental Justice Movement and began to ensure a guarantee that all people, regardless of race, color, or income, are more than deserving of the same protection from environmental and health hazards.
In order to work towards climate justice, we must first address racial injustice. Right now, many necessities are compromised and distributed disproportionately. Communities of color continue to suffer from pollution, waste, and a higher risk of suffering from natural disasters as a result of decades of discrimination, political ignorance, and neglect. Many individuals who reside in low-income communities suffer from adverse health effects like asthma and respiratory issues as a result of limited access to crucial resources like healthy food, housing, and safe neighborhoods, paired with the increased stress and inconsistent access to health care, all issues stemming from systemic disadvantages and immense poverty.
Yet today, with the collectivization of people who care about the well-being of our planet, we are actively combating racism by challenging the disproportionate burden of environmental hazards that are imposed on disadvantaged groups. The movement has now grown tremendously, with people working across the globe to ensure we all have a viable home that is not compromised nor hindered by solvable problems.
Conclusion
The connections between the climate crisis and racial injustice are inextricable. We must recognize that communities that are impacted by racial injustice are the same communities impacted by climate injustice. This is no coincidence. It is the result of systematic institutions built upon racism and discrimination. Therefore, the solution must be to start viewing environmentalism through an intersectional lens. By adopting this form of activism, we will find that climate justice is inextricably linked to social justice. Achieving the goals of the environmental movement can only happen once we fully acknowledge that injustices against Black and Indigenous people happen alongside the destruction of the Earth. Until we recognize the systemic oppression against people of color as the plague of this country, we will never fully reach environmental sustainability. To undergo substantial change, the fight for ecological stewardship and Black liberty must be fought simultaneously.
If you would like to work towards reversing environmental racism, you can start by raising awareness, which begins with education. For example, you can share resources with people within your community about the racist effects of particular legislation and environmental policies. Additionally, you can support various organizations that are actively working to combat environmental racism, such as the Climate Justice Alliance, the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, and Movement Generation. You can also read up and familiarize yourself with legislation that is intended to work in addressing environmental racism and ensuring justice for those affected. Try to support government officials and legislators who work towards combating these issues. And one of the most important, is to volunteer with grassroots organizations. Through supporting grassroot organizations, you can be involved in actionable efforts to make direct positive impacts in affected communities. Look into local organizations within your communities and see how you can assist in the dedicated fight against environmental injustices.
Rooted in Resilience: Black Resilience and Environmental Justice © 2025 by Youth Environmental Press Team is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
