Ending the fallacy of environmental racism
By
Melanie Collette
|
February 20th, 2025
The debate over environmental justice has been overtaken by the term “environmental racism” — the claim that minority communities suffer disproportionately from pollution because of systemic racism. While it is true that some communities face more significant environmental challenges, blaming these disparities entirely on race oversimplifies the issue and leads to ineffective policy solutions.
Instead of focusing on the socioeconomics that exists in all races and infrastructure investments, advocates push race-based narratives that divide Americans rather than solve problems. Poverty — not race — is the most significant factor determining environmental hardship. If we want solutions, we need policies prioritizing economic growth, job creation and affordable energy for all Americans, regardless of background.
Many environmental justice policies, such as the Green New Deal and the electric vehicle mandates, are framed as solutions for marginalized communities. Do these policies help struggling families? The answer is no.
Take EV mandates, for example. Advocates say that promoting electric cars will create a cleaner environment and benefit lower-income communities. Here’s the problem: EVs remain too expensive for most working-class Americans. Even with government subsidies, the high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure make EV ownership impractical for low-income families. A study in Nature Communications found that public EV charging stations are overwhelmingly in wealthier areas, leaving lower-income communities behind.
https://www.cfact.org/2025/02/20/ending-the-fallacy-of-environmental-racism/
