Intersectionality Role in Environmental Injustice Essay Example

air toxins. In Houston, a study conducted by University of South Florida, found that where there is a high concentration of same-sex households, there is also a greater chance of developing cancer due to the air quality. According to the Social Science and Medicine journal, another recent study found that same-sex couples in the United States are 12.3 and 23.8 percent greater to obtain cancer and respiratory issues caused by hazardous air pollutants. Although researchers are not exactly sure why this is the case, some believe this risk is linked to the cluster of LGBTQ communities after World War II. Researchers have also seen higher rates of illnesses in LGBTQ people related to environmental issues. For instance, In D.C., there is reportedly a seven percent more chance of LGBTQ people developing asthma than heterosexual or cisgender people. Although, many researchers acknowledge the correlation between same-sex households and air pollution, no one is exactly sure why these links exists.

Intersectionality plays an important role in understanding why some minority social groups are more susceptible to environmental hazards than others. Intersectionality is defined as the theory that multiple social identities or oppressions overlap, which cause distinct experiences. In recent reports and studies, there has been a tremendous concern for environmental injustice among particular social groups. These social groups are usually focused on race, class, and gender. For example, along with exposure to hazardous chemicals and other harmful substances in the labor force, Hispanic women are also subject to low wages. This is one of many examples of how intersectionality plays a major role in environmental injustice. In recent news, many low socio-economic neighborhoods and communities are suffering from

natural disasters, air pollution, and water contamination. Although there have been attempts to relieve this issue, many communities go unnoticed.

As environmental injustice becomes more noticed in the United States, many have attempted to find solutions to the situation. For instance, the Natural Resources Defense Council has formed the Environmental Justice movement in hopes of informing others of particular social groups being more vulnerable to environmental hazards than others.

Society has started listening to the problems presented to it. Many woman of different races and sexualities have started to speak up about the issues they face. Societies are taking steps in the micro-level by everyday interactions between people, causing deeper forms of unbiased relationships. By building deeper relationships with people who are different from you, people start to have broader mindsets. Another step society is making at the meso level is by having different organization come together to help the individuals have a bigger voice. Today, we see a lot of different organizations coming together such as the METOO movement, The National Organization for Woman, or Centre for Health and Social Justice. These different organizations show how society is trying to make a difference and change the way men and woman are treated in the environment. The final step society is making at the macro-level, would be how different class structures are coming together for the same cause. Many different countries have made steps to promote equality between men and woman by forming different committees and governmental organizations.

Peoples perspective of society is hard to change if they are close-minded. Many people are not willing to listen with an open-mind causing tension in many different aspects of society,

especially when it comes to men and woman liberation. Society needs to take more steps at the micro level by educating people about the discrimination others are facing and how people can help. Society can take steps at the meso level to promote liberation by getting people involved in something that does not have to do with any part of your life. For instance, there is a organization called White Ribbon, which is a movement of men and boys trying to end violence against woman and girls. This organization is an example of how people can be trying to make society liberated without being affected by the cause. In society, steps can be taken at the macro level by, coming together as a nation to help those who are suffering from inequality in the environment, men or woman.

Works Cited

1. 1. http://web.mit.edu/urbanupgrading/urbanenvironment/issues/vulnerable-groups.html

https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2013/05/13/womens-health-at-work/

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5662114/
2. https://earther.gizmodo.com/do-queer-people-suffer-disproportionately-from-pollutio-1819360527
3. https://www.raptim.org/organizations-that-address-gender-equality/
4. https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter1-an-introduction-to-sociology/