How Trump’s Environmental Order Puts Vulnerable Communities at Risk: What You Need to Know

CLIMATEWIRE | The decision to cancel a long-standing environmental justice directive could negatively impact millions of people, especially in minority and low-income communities. These areas often face higher levels of pollution and industrial waste, raising health concerns among advocates for civil rights and environmental justice.

By revoking a 1994 executive order initially signed by Bill Clinton, the new policy eliminates a requirement for federal agencies to consider how their decisions affect communities facing poverty and high populations of minorities. This directive had been maintained through multiple administrations, including Trump’s first term.

“This is a setback for years of progress,” said Peggy Shepard, who co-founded WE ACT for Environmental Justice in New York. She argues that removing such policies will harm the health and well-being of vulnerable communities that already struggle with environmental hazards.

The original 1994 executive order required federal agencies to assess the environmental risks faced by minority and low-income areas and to avoid making conditions worse. It aimed to ensure that all communities have the right to a clean environment and good health.

Trump’s recent executive order, however, claims that these policies are discriminatory and promote division. It will lead to a review of federal programs, managed by political appointees. They will present their findings to the White House Office of Management and Budget. This could affect how these programs prioritize funding and support for disadvantaged communities.

Critics, including Senator Cory Booker, highlight that communities of color and low-income areas are often the most affected by pollution and climate change. Ignoring these facts could lead to ongoing harm to those populations.

Robert Bullard, a professor recognized as a pioneer of the environmental justice movement, notes that the 1994 order aimed for equality, not special treatment. He emphasizes that all Americans deserve to live in safe and healthy environments, without being disproportionately impacted by environmental threats.

The cancellation of Clinton’s order may even affect working-class communities that largely supported Trump in previous elections. People in these areas could also face increased pollution and health risks.

This executive order from Clinton was a significant milestone for the environmental justice movement, which emerged from civil rights initiatives in the 1960s. It drew attention to the alarming rates of pollution affecting Black communities and to the need for policy changes.

Research conducted in the late 1980s revealed that toxic waste sites were often located near minority populations. This prompted a push for more attention to environmental health issues in underserved communities. Clinton’s executive order was a response to this growing awareness, aiming to ensure that the decisions made by federal agencies recognized and addressed existing inequalities.

While the 1994 order did not establish enforceable legal rights, it led to the creation of various policies across federal agencies to address environmental justice. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency developed tools to identify neighborhoods in need of environmental protection and created a database outlining demographics and health conditions across the nation.

In more recent years, President Joe Biden expanded upon Clinton’s executive order, requiring agencies to create specific environmental justice plans and ensure that disadvantaged communities receive a fair share of federal benefits related to environmental issues. Initiatives like Justice40 aim to guarantee that at least 40 percent of federal resources go to these communities.

The new policy direction raises concerns that underfunded communities, especially those in rural areas, may struggle to compete for federal grants and resources against wealthier areas. This could leave the most vulnerable populations without the support they need to improve their living conditions.

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