Season 2, Episode 5

Environmental Justice and Race

A professor of English, a College senior, and a sociologist share their perspectives on what it means to live under a system of environmental racism, and how to move forward toward environmental justice.

Environmental Justice and Race • Season 2, Episode 5

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When COVID delivered a disproportionate blow to communities of color, environmental hazards like air pollution, that are all too frequently present in these communities, was one of the contributing factors cited by experts. The idea that race is a factor in determining who has access to resources that allow a community to thrive is not so much news as it is a part of the American story. Today, there is a wider recognition that environmental racism is one of many forms of systemic racism, and that environmental justice and climate change are interconnected problems.

Guests

Herman Beavers, Julie Beren Platt and Marc E. Platt President’s Distinguished Professor of English and Africana Studies

Daniel Aldana Cohen, Assistant Professor of Sociology

Tsemone Ogbemi, C’21, Penn Program in Environmental Humanities Public Research Intern

Host

Alex Schein

Producer

Loraine Terrell

Editors

Alex Schein and Loraine Terrell

Interviewers

Susan Ahlborn, Blake Cole, Lauren Rebecca Thacker

Illustration

Adriana Bellet

Music

Theme music by Nicholas Escobar, C’18

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

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