Let’s talk about environmental racism. Environmental racism refers to the excessive impact of environmental hazards on BIPOC.
Let’s talk about environmental racism. Environmental racism refers to the excessive impact of environmental hazards on BIPOC. It happens when governments and corporations expose low income and minority groups to known carcinogens, asthma-inducing pollutants and other harmful toxins at a higher rate than white, wealthy communities.
Examples of environmental racism in Canada include the Chemical Valley and Africville.
The Chemical Valley in Sarnia, Ontario is home to 40% of Canada's chemical industry. Sarnia has the most polluted air in Canada due to toxic pollutants from the Chemical Valley. Alongside the Chemical Valley lies the Aamjiwnaang First Nations reservation. Residents of this reservation are exposed to carcinogens and other toxins with serious health effects. Not only does this impact their health, it impacts their way of living by making it difficult to hunt, fish, and plant.
The Chemical Valley in Sarnia, Ontario is home to 40% of Canada's chemical industry.
Residents of Africville, a village located north of Halifax, were descendants of African slaves. They fished and planted crops until the city used it as a dumping ground and industrial zone. In 1960s, the City of Halifax declared it a slum, destroyed homes and land, and displaced Black residents.
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