The Effects Of Environmental Racism

Racism consists of acting on prejudice thoughts in the form of discrimination of an individual's race based on the belief their own race is superior. Thus, when referring to environmental racism, it can be explained as the unnecessary placement of racial minorities into environmentally hazardous areas or, conversely, the placement of hazardous toxins in areas which consist of relatively low-income racial minorities. Most individuals would pinpoint that these problems happen in the United States of America, as there is “no way” an atrocity such as environmental racism would happen in our homeland, Canada. However, the reality is that this has occurred in places as close as Nova Scotia, in a small area known as Africville; also, one of the most

Africville is an African- American reserve, as many of the individuals who live there are descendants of African slaves. Over time, the residents of the village started to experience the effects of environmental racism as dumps, an infectious disease hospital, an abattoir, were placed in and around Africville’s surroundings. They were left vulnerable and with little say since they were racial minorities. Eventually, in the 1960’s they bulldozed Africville and the leftovers outlined a prime example of one of the first ever cases of environmental racism. In 2015, Bill 111, An Act to Address Environmental Racism, passed first reading in the Nova Scotia Legislature. This bill planned to address environmental racism, which has been looked over for numerous years in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass, however, it would have been a logical idea to hold public meetings on environmental racism and develop recommendations for the government in order to prevent it in the future. This would have been a step in the right direction, nevertheless, nothing is being done to prevent environmental racism in Nova Scotia, and no acts of environmental justice are taking

The agreement is ultimately signed by 196 countries and acknowledges the global urgency of the climate crisis and reflects the strength of the climate movement. The Paris Climate agreement plans to limit climate temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius. This agreement is a form of environmental justice, more precisely climate justice, as the government recognizes that individuals must live in a safe environment. The effects of climate change are real and are happening right now and the Paris Agreement is a step in the right direction. Each country determines, plans and regulates its own contribution to climate change in order to mitigate global warming. All individuals, no matter their race, their age, the color of their skin, their ethnicity, etc. should have a right to a safe