Most U.S. localities are legally tasked to make decisions that protect the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants. While environmental health should be provided for all populations, communities of color are disproportionately burdened with environmental health hazards, such as proximity to pollutants, or inadequate access to green spaces, healthy food or transportation.

As a result of exposures and lack of health amenities, these communities experience a higher rate of health problems. The essayists in this section confront these examples of environmental racism, recognizing that multiple approaches and cross- sector collaboration must occur to make our systems more equitable.

Read through the following questions and answer them based off what you learned from the readings:

1. Many of the essayists indicate that in addition to data, community leaders are critical to  addressing equity in environmental health. In what ways might community-led efforts impact health outcomes?

2. In his essay, Jeremy Hoffman equates climate justice with racial justice. What is your definition of climate justice? How is this similar or different from racial justice? Do you see ways in which these two are linked?  

3. Ryan Rinn warns of “green gentrification” which happens when public investment in green spaces increases property values and prices out low- and middle-income residents. Have you seen this occur in your community or others? Do you know of policies that can combat it? If not, see this report, what solutions resonate with you?

4. Do you think the bus should be free? Why or why not?

City of Tempe Urban Forestry Master Plan

https://www.tempe.gov/home/showdocument?id=54581

Olympia Washington Zero Fare Program

https://www.intercitytransit.com/plan-your-trip/zero-fare

Land Justice Fund

https://duronchavis.com/

Southside ReLeaf

https://www.southsidereleaf.org/

Park Related Anti-Displacement Strategies

https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/