"Pollution is Segregated" Says the Father of Environmental Justice | Amanpour and Company

Summary

Robert Bullard, known as the father of environmental justice, discusses how pollution disproportionately affects minority and low-income communities. He highlights how historical segregation has led to unequal exposure to pollution and climate-related disasters in places like Houston. Bullard explains that environmental justice ensures all communities have equal protection and access to clean, safe environments. He emphasizes the intersection of climate change, vulnerability, and justice, urging for equity in disaster response and city planning. The conversation also reflects on the need for collective action and inclusive decision-making to build resilient, sustainable communities.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Environmental justice means equal protection for all communities concerning housing, employment, energy, and the right to live in a safe, pollution-free environment.
• 📅 Robert Bullard began his work in environmental justice in 1978 after his wife filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas for placing a landfill in a predominantly Black middle-class neighborhood.
• 🗺️ Bullard’s research revealed that 5 out of 5 city-owned landfills and 6 out of 8 city-owned incinerators in Houston were located in Black neighborhoods, despite the Black population comprising only 25% of the city.
• 🤝 Environmental justice also involves having equal access to decision-making and ensuring that no single group makes decisions affecting other communities without representation.
• 🏡 Houston's historical lack of zoning laws has contributed to inequitable land use, with both poor and affluent communities being affected by poor planning and development near hazardous sites.
• 🚨 Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities that are more vulnerable to disasters like floods and droughts.
• 🏘️ Houston is still racially and economically segregated, with pollution often concentrated in low-income and minority communities, even for middle-income Black neighborhoods.
• 💧 The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey highlighted how vulnerable areas are disproportionately affected, especially in historically flood-prone neighborhoods.
• 🏠 Increasing income segregation is linked to housing affordability, causing more low-income and minority communities to live in polluted areas.
• ⚖️ Bullard advocates for using an equity framework in policy and development, ensuring that all communities have a voice in building resilient and sustainable cities.

Q & A

What is environmental justice according to Robert Bullard?

Environmental justice is the principle that all communities are entitled to equal protection of their housing, transportation, employment, energy, and environment. It involves equal access, equal enforcement, and the right to live in a neighborhood that's not over-polluted.

How did Robert Bullard become involved in environmental justice?

Bullard's involvement began accidentally in 1978 when his wife sued the state of Texas and a company trying to place a landfill in a middle-class black community in Houston. She asked him to use his sociological expertise to map landfill locations.

What did Bullard discover about landfill locations in Houston?

Bullard found that out of the city-owned landfills, five out of five were in black neighborhoods, six out of eight incinerators were in black neighborhoods, and three out of four privately owned landfills were in black neighborhoods, despite blacks making up only 25% of the population.

What was the racial makeup of the Houston City Council at the time?

The Houston City Council at that time was all-white, which played a role in the decisions that led to the disproportionate placement of landfills in black neighborhoods.

How does climate change affect environmental justice?

Climate change exacerbates existing inequities by disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities that are more likely to live in areas prone to flooding, droughts, and other climate-related disasters.

What was the impact of Hurricane Harvey on Houston?

Hurricane Harvey caused unprecedented flooding in Houston, with some areas receiving over 50 inches of rain. It highlighted the existing environmental justice issues, as historically flood-prone areas were hit the hardest.

How does Houston's lack of zoning laws contribute to environmental issues?

Houston's lack of zoning laws leads to unrestrained development, including building in floodplains and other areas prone to disasters. This lack of regulation can result in more pollution and less equitable distribution of resources.

What is the significance of the Coalition for Environmental Equity and Resilience?

The Coalition for Environmental Equity and Resilience is an organization formed to address environmental justice issues in Houston. It promotes an equity lens for future development and disaster mitigation projects.

How is Houston's segregation impacting environmental justice?

Houston's segregation by race and income leads to concentrated areas of pollution and poverty. This means that low-income families and families of color are more likely to live in polluted areas, exacerbating health and environmental issues.

What does Bullard mean by 'the wrong complexion for protection'?

'The wrong complexion for protection' refers to the phenomenon where middle-income African-Americans are more likely to live in polluted neighborhoods compared to whites with lower incomes, indicating a racial and economic bias in housing and environmental policy.

How does Bullard view the necessity of addressing climate change in achieving environmental justice?

Bullard asserts that it's impossible to move towards environmental justice without confronting climate change directly. The solutions to climate change must include considerations of justice and equity to ensure that vulnerable populations are not further marginalized.