Rebecca Hersher, “Hope and Skepticism as Biden Promises to Address Environmental Racism"

Hersher’s article begins by reviewing how, historically, the U.S. government has been either involved in, or a perpetrator, or environmental racism, with race the strongest predictor of proximity to toxic sites and inequitable environmental regulation. To address both historic and Trump era damages, Hersher quotes academics, advocates, and government officials to provide a series of suggestions on how to strengthen human and environmental protection. 1) The EPA must listen to, and build relationships of trust with vulnerable communities, especially those disproportionately suffering from the effects of pollution; 2) Clinton’s 1994 executive order addressing environmental racism must be expanded and updated; 3) funds must be provided to assist communities afflicted by both the COVID19 pandemic and chronic pollution; 4) legislation must be enacted to allow low-income communities and communities of color to sue the government regarding disproportionate pollution.