Environmental Justice: Income, Race and Health

By Rachel Massey, Meghan Maquet and Jonathan Harris

The module illustrates the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by minority and low-income communities, using data and case studies. It delves into the limitations and applications of economic analysis on topics of valuing human life, precautionary principle, and the distinctions between efficiency and equity. The module discusses issues of environmental justice both in the US, including the Flint Michigan water crisis, and globally, including Arctic pollution concerns. The module has been updated to reflect the most recent data and topics, including the impacts of climate change, plastic waste, and COVID-19. Suggestions for more equitable environmental policies are presented.

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