Final answer:
Environmental racism affects minority communities disproportionately, with African Americans facing a greater risk of exposure to hazardous waste. Local governments can mitigate this by implementing equitable policies, regulating businesses, and improving emergency response plans. Studies highlight the need for social reforms to address these environmental justice issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The issue of environmental racism is a pressing social concern, highlighting the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority communities, particularly African Americans. Studies, including those by sociologist Robert Bullard, demonstrate that factors like race significantly determine the placement of hazardous waste facilities in the United States.
Children of color, for example, African American children, are shown to be at a significantly greater risk of lead poisoning, a leading environmental health threat. Local governments can influence change by implementing policies that address these disparities and promote environmental justice, as evidenced by the long-term environmental cleanup after Hurricane Katrina.
Environmental racism pervades various aspects of life, such as housing conditions and school safety, often due to restructuring decisions dating back to times well before the Civil Rights era. This makes it harder for minority populations to defend their rights to a healthy living environment. Proactive local government actions may include better regulation of businesses, improved urban planning, increased support for affected communities, and equitable emergency response planning.