Air Pollution and Environmental Justice

Air pollution in urban areas is caused by a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, and power plant emissions.

Allergies are not a health effect of air pollution.

People of color are more likely to live in areas with high levels of air pollution and to experience the health effects of air pollution.

Environmental racism is the practice of siting polluting facilities in or near marginalized communities.

The primary goal of environmental justice is to ensure that all people have access to clean air, water, and land, to protect the environment from pollution, and to promote sustainable development.

The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Superfund Act are all examples of environmental justice policies.

Individuals can reduce their exposure to air pollution by driving less, using public transportation, and walking or biking more.

Governments can reduce air pollution by investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and regulating air pollution from vehicles and industries.

Communities can achieve environmental justice by organizing and advocating for change, educating themselves and others about environmental justice, and supporting environmental justice organizations.

Environmental justice will become more important as the climate crisis worsens because the climate crisis is likely to disproportionately impact marginalized communities.