Environmental Justice
Low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities in Arizona, such as those in Maryvale, South Phoenix, and South Tucson, have a history of *environmental racism.
*Environmental racism refers to institutional rules, regulations, policies, or government and/or corporate decisions that disproportionately target low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities to environmental burdens and a lack of environmental benefits. Environmental burdens include proximity to toxic facilities, noise and environmental pollution, hazardous waste, and other factors that compromise healthy lifestyles. Environmental benefits include access to green spaces, healthy food, clean air and water, and other factors that promote healthy lifestyles.
The environmental justice movement pushes for environmental, economic, and social justice and demands that a clean environment be treated as a basic human right.
