Environmental Racism: Why It Is Hard to Seek Redress Cases of Environmental Racism - Coursework Example

Environmental Racism Environmental racism refers to the deliberate targeting of certain groups when it comes to siting of undesirable land uses (Cole and Foster 53). This leads to exposure of the particular group to the results of the inappropriate land use. This is a practice of placing those people or communities that are considered to be low income or minority near environmental hazards or even degraded environments. Such hazards may include toxic wastes and pollution. There is a debate on the definition of the term environmental racisms (Cole and Foster 53). What has brought about the debate is whether the siting of the undesirable land uses is intentional or not. Some people argue that there must be intentional discrimination in regard to the environmental issues in for the act to be considered as environmental racism. Some groups on the other hand, argue that what is required for an act to constitute environment racisms is just the mere placement or existence of environmental hazards and unfavourable environmental conditions near the minority communities. In addition, this second group argues that it does not matter whether the placement is intentional or not since the outcome is all the same as the minority will still suffer. The opposite of environmental racism is popularly referred to as environmental equality. Environmental equality on the other hand, refers to the equal protection or enforcement of environmental laws across all the groups. Environmental justice requires that everyone gets access to safe and clean neighbourhood. This is what the minority is denied when there is environmental racism, whether intentional or not (Cole and Foster 54). Why It Is Hard To Seek Redress Cases Of Environmental Racism Over the years, the maldistribution of environmental hazards has received a lot of attention from various quarters and groups. A number of studies have shown that the minority and low income communities are inappropriately affected by environmental hazards. Such studies have become the basis of the rallying cry of several civil groups in the US and in different other countries in the world. In response to the growing opposition to the maldistribution of environmental hazards, laws have sometimes been passed to respond to the situations (Cole and Foster 53). An example is the Executive Order 12898 that was passed in the United States of America that required all the federal agencies to consider the implications of their activities on the distribution of environmental impacts on the populations. In some cases, environmental racism is quite clear and can be easily seen. However, seeking redress is normally not easy, even in such situations. This can be attributed to several factors. One factor that makes it difficult to seek redress in cases where the racism seems to be apparent is the lack of clear legal frameworks. In most states, there are no existing clear and properly organized channels that can be used to seek redress on these particular issues. This has made the minority remain affected by the dangers of the environmental hazards without an avenue for addressing the issue. The second factor that makes it harder to seek redress in such cases is associated with cost issues. The majority of the minority groups is known to live in neighbourhoods that are known for poverty (Cole and Foster 57). Due to the prevalent levels of low income coupled with low levels of education in such neighbourhoods, seeking redress is very difficult. The initial cost of trying to change the system in order to attain environmental justice is very high. Changing the system and preventing companies from disposing their wastes in such areas is usually hindered by the associated costs. The massive legal fees associated with the fight for environmental justice has therefore prevented the minority and environmental groups from seeking redress. The third factor that makes it had to seek redress in situations where the case of environmental racism is apparent is sidelining the local communities. Even though most environmental organizations fight hard to ensure that there is reduction of cases of environmental racisms, at times the local communities who are affected by the injustice are not fully involved (Cole and Foster 57). This therefore makes it hard for such organizations to fully push for change in the system to help counter the environmental racisms. If the local community is fully integrated and involved in these organizations, seeking redress would be easier as the locals are the ones who fully understand the effects of the injustices since they are the people who are directly affected by environmental racisms. The final factor that makes it hard to seek the redress in such situations is the lack of clear frameworks that are meant to counter the injustice. In, most cases, it is the state boards that for example, approve the dumping of waste in a particular area. It is the same state agencies which in most cases issue licenses for a particular land use in a given area. When the companies that have been given license to operate subject the locals to environmental hazards, it is hard for the locals to sue such companies or seek redress from the state since it is the same state agencies that issued the license. This therefore makes it very hard for the locals and other environmental activities and organizations. Acknowledging Environmental Problems as Human Problems Various studies have clearly drawn a correlation between environmental problems and human social as well as economic problems. Despite the difference in opinion on whether there is a direct correlation between social problems and environmental hazards, it is very important for all environmentalists acknowledge the existence of a relationship. This is because there is overwhelming evidence both from empirical research worlds and from various publications and coverage of the issues. It is therefore important for the environmentalists consider the issues of maldisposal as a social problem (Cole and Foster 60). This is regardless of whether the environmental problem was intentionally caused or not. The reason being that in both unintentional and intentional maldisposal, the effects of the acts are still the same. The local population is denied of the right to quality life and quality living environment. This is why is important to consider it as a human problem since it has a direct impact on the social aspects of the local populations. Failing to acknowledge environmental problems as social or human problems will have several risks and implications. One of the major risks is that will be faced if this idea is not acknowledged is that the local population will continue to suffer from the effects of the ill environmental practices. The environmental problems will continue to affect the life of the local population to an extent that it might even threaten the existence of that particular population in that particular area where the environmental problem is being experienced (Cole and Foster 63). The other implication of failing to acknowledge the idea is that the environmentalist will not be able to come up with the best solutions to such problems. In order to fully come up with solutions that will help respond to the environmental problems and challenges it is paramount that all environmentalists consider them as human problems. This will enable them to come up with solutions that are not only environment centred but also human oriented. Solving environmental racism is something that requires the participation of all stakeholders. The federal and the state governments should play an active role in ensuring that no population is targeted when the siting of the hazards is being done. This can be done through legislations and rules. The local communities, environmentalists and other stakeholders should be involved when drafting such legislations. Works Cited Cole, Luke and Foster, Sheila. From the Ground Up: Environmental Racism and the Rise of the Environmental Justice Movement. New York: New York University Press, 2001. Print. Read More