Injusticia ambiental, or environmental injustice, occurs when communities that are often low-income or predominantly made up of people of color are disproportionately affected. These impacts range from environmental hazards such as air pollution to toxic waste. In terms of air pollution, the University of Michigan reported that people of color make up 63% of the residents in United States counties with the worst air quality.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, isolated protests throughout the mid-1900s against these environmental health disparities eventually coalesced into a large movement known as the environmental justice movement. This movement is recognized to have begun in the 1980s in North Carolina. Despite various efforts, environmental injustice remains a prevalent issue that impacts marginalized communities.
Many freeways such as the 101 in California and the U.S. Interstate Highway System displaced Black and Latine communities when they were built and continue to pollute the air of the communities that live near them, according to the L.A. Times. Green spaces have historically been lacking in communities of color, causing increased temperatures in those areas and putting people at risk of heat-related illnesses. Oil drilling sites have also historically been located in communities of color, exposing residents to harmful chemicals.
Venezia Ramirez, the current Research Coordinator at the USC Division of Environmental Health knows about the impact on communities personally. Ramirez has conducted extensive research related to environmental injustice in various L.A. communities that are predominantly Latine. Her background includes work in soil and air quality analysis in Southeast L.A. communities near toxic sites such as the notorious Exide facility and the impact of oil drilling on breast cancer rates for women.
A Southeast L.A. native and Chicana, experiencing these injustices firsthand inspired Ramirez to involve herself in many efforts to contribute to environmental justice. She also attributes her initial knowledge and experience with community organizations against injustice to East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice.
Ramirez’s commitment to environmental justice led her to Norwalk Unides even before it officially became a nonprofit organization dedicated to tackling pollution in the Norwalk community. She lived just 300 meters from a “last-mile facility” where diesel trucks would come to pick up goods for final delivery, often renting them out to Amazon. Using tools like CalEnviroScreen from California’s environmental office, she found that Norwalk ranks among the state’s most pollution-burdened areas, worsened by diesel emissions and nearby oil wells.
Los Angeles in particular, emerged as a major oil hub in the early 20th century. As the city expanded, oil extraction sites were established near residential neighborhoods with minimal oversight, allowing oil companies to drill freely due to the absence of environmental regulations, according to PBS SoCal. Many of the operations were set up near low-income and predominantly non-white communities. Neighborhoods like Wilmington, Inglewood, West-Adams, and University Park became home to drilling sites that exposed residents to various pollutants.
Today, the legacy of these sites is evident in heightened pollution levels, respiratory health issues, and ongoing environmental degradation. A USC study links proximity to oil wells with an increased risk to lung health, revealing the long-term health complications for residents living near both active and idle wells. Many communities, especially low-income areas and communities of color continue to face these daily health and environmental challenges, underscoring the urgent need for greater protection and remediation efforts in neighborhoods that are impacted by oil extraction.
Through organizations like Norwalk Unides, major victories have already been achieved in the search for environmental justice. This includes preventing zoning changes that would have enabled industrial expansion. “Community members who are now researchers can no longer disconnect from environmental justice,” said Ramirez. For them, environmental justice is not just a cause; it’s a commitment to protect Norwalk’s health and future.
It’s important to acknowledge the work it takes to get to the triumphs such as the Norwalk Undies. Every community is facing challenges that require specific and interdisciplinary solutions as Ramirez puts it.
The fight for environmental justice requires everyone’s effort, but it’s essential to start where you are. Ramirez encourages people to connect with their local issues, whether in their city, school, or neighborhood. “Be involved in your own community. If there isn’t an opportunity, then create one,” she urges.
Environmental justice doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of a few — it’s a shared responsibility, and each person’s contribution matters. As Ramirez wisely notes, “Do what [you] can in [your] own capacity and [don’t] be stressed if [you’re] not doing enough because [you] are enough.” The path to justice is challenging, but by coming together with persistence, we can work toward healthier, more equitable communities for all.
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