Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism is the way in which certain groups are disproportionately burdened with the impacts of environmental degradation. In Canada, minority groups tend to be disproportionally effected by climate change and the environmental degradation. A significant reason for this phenomenon is because heavily polluting industries typically locate their facilities in or near low-income communities. Examples include landfills, mines, pulp mills, and hazardous waste sites. These facilities regularly cause air pollution and water contamination, which may subsequently lead to health issues in neighbouring communities. The industries are often able to operate despite these consequences because they are strategically placed in communities that don’t have strong political influence.
In Canada, our environmental racism is most notable in First Nations communities. For example, Sarnia, Ontario where the Aamjiwnaang First Nations community is located, is also known as “Chemical Valley”. The region is home to over 60 chemical plants and oil refineries, representing 40% of Canada’s chemical industry.
A second example pertains to the Grassy Narrows First Nation, or Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek, in Ontario. In 1962, a nearby paper mill started dumping mercury into the Wabigoon River, just upstream of Grassy Narrows. The community was not told about the water contamination until 1970. By then, the local fishing industry had been destroyed, and therefore so had the livelihoods of the majority of the residents of Grassy Narrows.
The contamination has also resulted in widespread medical conditions related to mercury poisoning including cancer and ALS. Earlier this year, the federal government signed an agreement with the Grassy Narrows First Nation to build an on-reserve care home to serve the people who are suffering from mercury poisoning. This is a step forward in providing support to those who have been impacted by the pollution but is by no means compensation for the devastation this community has faced.
First Nations communities across the country have seen their environments destroyed and many do not have access to clean and reliable drinking water. Instead, they are forced to rely on water-bottle deliveries. At any given time, there are over 100 drinking water advisories in First Nations communities in Canada. This is not acceptable. Our federal government has promised to end these advisories and secure clean drinking water in First Nations communities by 2021, and significant progress on this issue has yet to happen. A decade ago, the United Nations declared water and sanitation to be human rights. Here in Canada we are still unable to provide many of our First Nations communities with such an essential resource as clean water.
Finally, the current Covid-19 pandemic has made stark the repercussions of environmental racism. The health effects of environmental pollutions have left many victims of environmental racism with health preconditions, increasing their chances of dying from Covid-19.
Environmental racism is an enormous and widespread issue that cannot be solved by a single individual. But there are steps that we can all take to begin ameliorating the situation. First, do some research and find out which communities near you are being impacted by environmental racism. Simply being aware is a worthwhile first step. Second, VOTE for political leaders that care about the environment, and work to hold elected officials accountable by demanding better environmental protections. If you don’t see anyone taking action, you can even think about running for office where you can have a louder voice! Because after all, we cannot save the environment without social justice.