Ethnic minorities produce less pollution but are exposed to more
A study into pollution and inequality has also factored in how people use energy,
food and transport. The findings suggest that consumption patterns and their impact
on air quality are, in effect, racist.
Sara Grineski says the results aren’t surprising, and show environmental racism happens whether intentional or not. “While policy decisions are often framed as a trade off between jobs and the environment, this new paper shows that black and Hispanic communities are not ‘benefiting’ in terms of jobs from the industrial facilities in their neighborhoods,” she says