Wilkinson College is committed to leading the conversation in our community on issues of humanity, unity and justice. As such, the college has undertaken, semester-long examinations of key societal issues. These interdisciplinary, campus-wide conversations promote thoughtful dialogue; mindful reflection; social tolerance; awareness and respect; peace and kindness.
Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Environmental Justice will highlight environmental injustice, looking at how environmental toxicity and risk disproportionately impact populations based on race, ethnicity, nationality, and social standing.
Our purpose for this series is to promote informed, sustained, and enriching dialogues through an in-depth exploration of the substantial racial and socioeconomic disparities in exposure to environmental hazards, including hazardous waste sites, active transportation, climate disruption, environmental health, food deserts, access to green space, and energy justice, with a focus on local, low-income communities. Next conversation, Ethnic Studies!
Where Environmentalism and Social Justice Intersect
- Environmental justice explores why and how environmental toxicity and disasters, such as dirty air and water, disproportionately harm already disadvantaged communities.
- Environmental justice explores how marginalized peoples are denied environmental benefits, such as access to parks or land.
- Environmental justice challenges environmentalists to consider race, class, ethnicity, and gender when formulating solutions to 21st century environmental challenges.
