Clear skies. Low around 45F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..
Clear skies. Low around 45F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: April 12, 2024 @ 6:44 pm
Robert Bullard presented “The Quest for Environmental and Climate Justice” at Town Hall Seattle on April 9. Sponsored by the UW Graduate School, department of political science, the Center for Environmental Politics, philosophy department, and communications department among other groups, the lecture brought together a diverse audience of students, educators, and locals in their passion for justice and rights.
The concept of environmental justice was pioneered by Bullard in 1979. He began his talk discussing the origins of the movement, which followed his wife’s participation in a lawsuit against a local waste facility for their participation in environmental racism. The case was the first environmental discrimination lawsuit in U.S. history.
As a trained sociologist, Bullard decided to research where city-owned landfills and incinerators were located. By plotting these pollutants on a map, an eerie phenomenon materialized: nearly all of these areas were located in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Through his discovery, Bullard concluded that “garbage was simply not compatible with where white people lived.” While his wife lost her case, a movement was born.
“You have to know when you won because the enemy will never tell you,” Bullard said.
Bullard has published 18 books and been the voice for countless campaigns and protests. He also has been present for the signing of executive orders by presidents Clinton and Biden directed against environmental racism. Bullard was appointed to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) in 2021.
The talk went on to explain the connection between environmental racism and climate change. While this defining generational issue impacts the entire planet, Bullard emphasized how vulnerable communities are hit worse by climate change than others. People of color are disproportionately impacted socially, economically, and healthily.
“America is segregated and so is pollution,” Bullard said. “Redlining has left low-income and Black neighborhoods hotter than ever”.
After the talk, the floor was opened up for questions. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) members and students expressed their inspiration and questions to Dr. Bullard.
Olivia Young, a UW environmental studies major, was touched by Bullard’s prose.
“Robert Bullard was inspiring and powerful”, Young said. “This insight is something all people need to listen to and act on. I am inspired to use my voice and passion for the environment to dismantle these longstanding racial and socioeconomic barriers to equity.”
Reach reporter Bella Distante at news@dailyuw.com. X: @belladistante
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