Environmental Reforms and Racism

Abstract

This paper discusses environmentalism with reference to global scenario, industrialized countries and industrialized countries. The issue of environmental racism and justice is also dealt with. Environmental reforms, racism, policy-making, influences and complexities are discussed with reference to the United States of America, as an example of an industrialized country, and India and an example of less industrialized country.

Introduction to Environmentalism 3

Global Environmental Issues 4

Environmental Racism, Equity and Justice 5

Environmental Reforms in Industrialized and Less Industrialized Countries7

Environmental Issues in an Industrialized Country-United States of America7

Environmental Reforms and Policy-Making in US 8

Influences, Debates and Controversies related to Environmental Policy-Making in US 9

Environmental Racism in United States of America 10

Environmental Issues and Reforms in a Less Industrialized Country-India 11

Environmental Policy-Making and Laws in India. 12

Policy-Implementation- Advantages, Disadvantages and Influences13

Environmental Racism in India14

Conclusion15

References16

Environmental Reforms and Racism

Introduction to Environmentalism

Environmentalism is defined as “A movement which attempts to influence political processes, by lobbying, activism and education in order to protect natural resources and ecosystems”. Environmental movement is a kind of social movement that involves all the issues related to the environment- to air, water, earth, and fire. It has given rise to the environmental sensibility in most parts of the world.

This one terminology of “the environmental movement” does not refer to a single movement. There are many different movements taking place in different parts of the globe and are promoted by various organizations. These have similarities, yet differences. Different countries deal with their environment in different ways depending upon the factors that include their state structure, economy, politics, religion, culture, and society. The goals of the environmental movement are, therefore, not unified.

The environmental agenda, dealing with environmental reforms, justice, racism, policies and laws, began as a concern for the aftermath of Industrial Revolution. The agenda emerged in the Northern part of the world in the later part of 1960s and early 1970s. Whereas, in the South, it started in the late 1970s. These movements involve several issues, primarily of global warming, population control, green development and businesses, and industrialization pollution, and revolve around health, ecology and human rights. Environmental policy making and implementation are also a part of this vast movement. The individuals and groups of people who are a part of this movement include citizens, professional authorities, scientists, politicians, advocates, legislators, and nonprofit organizations.

Important environment reforms, says Mol, originate in the market where the consumers, producers, customers and international economic players demand environmental changes.

Global Environmental Issues

Until the 1980s, global environmental issues were not much taken into account. They were considered to be trivial matters. However, the rise in the global environment threats as increased the environmental movements especially in the industrialized countries. United

Nations Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972 brought a lasting impact in the environmental reformation.

The Global issues that have a deep influence on entire mankind are global warming, depletion of the ozone layer and of world's fisheries.

The global environmental issues have not emerged from a ...