No Justice, No Green

Intersection of environmentalism and social justice issues, such as poverty, race and gender in relation to the environment

Quick Facts

2x-3x

Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color generally have less access to healthy food

There are 17 principles of Environmental Justice drafted and adopted by the First National People of Color

29%

LA residents live within a quarter mile of a park. Low-income communities have less then ~2 acres per 1000 people

Ideas to Jumpstart Your Thinking

Environmental issues are linked to social problems because we all share the same land, water, and air.

Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, environmental justice advocates for equal treatment of all people in environmental decision making. How are communities affected? Low-income neighborhoods generally have two to three times less access to healthy food than affluent neighborhoods. Communities of color make up the majority of those living within 1.8 miles of hazardous waste facilities in the U.S.

Facts

Environmental Justice (EJ) simply means making sure everyone has a fair chance of living a healthy life
Unhealthy environments can be anywhere (lead in water, pesticides in air, toxins in paint)
9 out of 10 urban residents breathe polluted air
Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color generally have less access to healthy food
Only 29% of LA residents live within a quarter-mile of a park.
According to 2010 census data, people of color make up the majority of those living within 1.8 miles of hazardous waste facilities in the U.S.
EJ means involving everyone when making decisions that affect their health

Example Topics for Your Film

Justice in relation to food deserts (supermarket and healthy-food accessibility)
Low-income communities that lack trees to provide shade
The effects of waste facilities, gas excavation, air pollution, and/or energy plants on communities