Module 5: Environment and Human Rights

When discussing environmental issues nowadays, it is common for discussions to be centered on global warming, carbon dioxide emissions, nitrogen pollution and similar issues. However it is essential for society to also realize how environmental problems are also related to human rights issues, and how individuals living in the lower strata of society usually are on the receiving end of environmental pollution.

First and foremost it would be essential to define what environment really means. The most common notion of environment one tends to have is that of the natural world and the “green-ness” of planet Earth. This is just one type of conception of environment (though a very important one), when really, the environment is generally defined as being “where we live, work, play, worship, and go to school as well as the physical and the natural world” (Bullard, 2). Health is closely related to this general concept of environment, and Bullard lays out a definition in his introduction from the WHO as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of the disease or infirmity” (Ibid). An interesting relationship is seen between the two, as it is very clear in our world that lower-income groups especially those of color, usually experience the worst of both due to reasons related to each other. Environmental pollution caused by industrial waste pose environmental and thus health threats to a portion of the society that one finds is also racially segregated by this event. My first impulse is to express concern over such a matter, as in today’s society racism is a taboo topic and is looked down upon, however how much we try to stomp it down, we can’t deny the fact that it still exists. Surprisingly, the environment is one such factor that highlights racism in society and Bullard illustrates this fact by coining the term “environmental racism”.

One can’t deny that racial segregation exists and lower income groups tend to be those of color as well. The first issue to address is why is this the case? This may be a result of a continuing disparity that has existed over the years without any change. The other problem lies in the fact that governmental institutions fail to recognize such disparities connected to the environment, and changes to infrastructure must be made. However Bullard comments that “waiting for the government to act is a recipe for disaster” (Bullard, 41). The solution would be, perhaps, to protests against disparities such as environmental racism and forming groups and actions such as NIMBY (Not In My Backyard). An example of a case of opposition would be the Houston case Bean vs. Southwestern Waste Management Corp. which was the first case in U.S. history in which environmental racism was challenged using civil rights law (Bullard, 61).

People have to realize that just because they are on lower levels of the social strata doesn’t mean that their neighborhood can become a dumping ground and because they are relatively less well off, it is fine for their situation to get worst. No person should live with environmental racism as it is definitely a type of Human Rights violation according to me, not only because it further enhances disparities in society, but it also causes damage to health.