How groups are impacted unequally globally due to climate change

What is environmental inequality?

Environmental inequality refers to the unequal distribution of environmental hazards, resources, and benefits among different groups within society. Certain communities, often marginalized or disadvantaged groups based on factors like race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or geographic location, bear a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution, degradation, and associated health risks, while simultaneously having limited access to environmental amenities and resources.

In many cases, these disparities are a result of historical and systemic injustices, including discriminatory policies and practices such as redlining, zoning regulations, and siting of polluting industries. As a consequence, communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, and indigenous populations are frequently located in close proximity to industrial facilities, waste disposal sites, and other sources of pollution, leading to higher rates of respiratory illnesses, cancer, and other health problems.