Chicago's new mayor, Brandon Johnson, has pledged to address the city's stark life expectancy disparity by tackling environmental racism and pollution.
Aliya Uteuova reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Chicago's wealthiest residents live up to 30 years longer than those in poorer neighborhoods due to environmental factors.
- Mayor Johnson reinstated the city's department of environment and is working to reduce pollution in communities of color.
- Efforts include banning gas in new constructions, replacing lead pipes, and suing major oil companies for their role in the climate crisis.
Key quote:
“If we’re saying that we’re committed to environmental justice, we have to commit to the principles of understanding that we have to allow for the community to speak for themselves.”
— Angela Tovar, chief sustainability officer of Chicago
Why this matters:
Environmental racism—a term that encapsulates the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities—lies at the heart of his strategy. Historically, industrial pollutants and waste facilities have been disproportionately placed in neighborhoods of color, leading to higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other chronic illnesses.
Be sure to see: The disturbing link between environmental racism and criminalization
