Environmental Racism:
“The disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color”
In collaboration with a coalition of local civil rights, neighborhood development, and environmental organizations, the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University School of Law published a report on August 31, 2019, titled “Environmental Racism in St. Louis.” This report describes the heavy environmental burdens faced by the City’s Black residents. In summary, Black St. Louisans are disproportionately harmed by lead poisoning, air pollution, asthma, mold, and high energy costs and are more likely to have limited access to healthy food and live in areas with higher concentrations of vacant properties and illegal trash dumping. The greater environmental risks faced by Black residents contribute to stark racial disparities regarding health, economic, and quality of life burdens.
Environmental Racism Solution Series
Action St. Louis, Arch City Defenders, Dutchtown South Community Corporation, and the Sierra Club, together with the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University School of Law, recently hosted the Environmental Racism Solution Series. This series of virtual public meetings provided the community with an overview of the environmental injustices faced by Black St. Louisans, as documented in the report “Environmental Racism in St. Louis,” and gave participants the opportunity to share their stories and engage in dialogue centered around solutions to these injustices. Information about the series and recordings of the presentations and meetings are available on our Events page.