We once thought climate change and the continued degradation of the environment was simply the product of humans overusing and over-abusing our natural resources.
But the truth is, it’s actually far more complicated than that.
Climate change shares a turbulent history with racial injustice, and scientists across the board agree that we have to find simultaneous solutions to really make positive progress. If we truly want to solve environmental issues, we must also solve the systemic racism and widespread economic inequalities in our society.
Why are these two issues connected? Why are people of color far more at risk from environmental health hazards than white people? For that answer, we have to first look at where the roots of this problem began.