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Why is Joe Biden making environmental justice about race?

Joe Biden signs an executive order to create the Office of Environmental Justice. Credit: Getty

April 27, 2023 - 1:00pm

Recently, President Biden signed an executive order to “to revitalize our nation’s commitment to environmental justice for all”. While this might sound like a fairly unremarkable piece of environmentalist rhetoric, the directive is designed to make yet another major issue all about racism.

“Environmental justice” doesn’t mean trying to save the environment. Rather, it’s about ensuring that no group of people bears a “disproportionate share” of environmental harms. For as the White House’s “fact sheet” explains, “racism is a fundamental driver of environmental injustice”.

So what exactly does the executive order do? To begin with, it establishes the first ever “Environmental Justice scorecard” to monitor what federal agencies (including NASA and the Department of Education) are doing to “advance environmental justice in communities across America”. In addition, it introduces the “Justice40 initiative”, which aims to ensure that 40% of the benefits from certain federal programs flow to “disadvantaged communities”. Why 40%? Don’t ask me.

Now, there are racial disparities in exposure to pollutants, and some of them may be due to racist policies in the past. But that doesn’t justify the Biden administration’s approach — which treats citizens not as individuals but as members of distinct groups or “communities”.

Reducing people’s exposure to pollutants is certainly a desirable goal, and is also one for which the federal government is well-suited (pollutants have a habit of ignoring state boundaries.) The correct approach is surely to maximise social welfare by considering factors like the harm done by the pollutants and the cost of removing them; the race of those affected should be irrelevant.

If some groups are more affected by pollutants than others, they will tend to benefit more from the welfare-maximising policy. However, this is a side-effect of the policy, not its main purpose. The Government has no business equalising groups’ exposure to pollutants if doing so comes at the expense of overall welfare. Removing all pollutants is clearly not optimal, as it would require us to abandon industrial society.

Aside from these theoretical arguments, there are also the facts on the ground.

Racial disparities in exposure to pollutants track urban living more than financial resources. Native Americans earn about half as much as Asian Americans, on average. Yet because they tend to live in rural areas, their exposure to pollutants is lower. In fact, they’re less exposed than even white Americans.

While disparities still exist, all racial groups have seen dramatic declines in exposure over the last two decades. What’s more, the disparities themselves have narrowed over time. According to a recent study, the black-white gap in exposure to particulates fell by two-thirds between 2000 and 2015 — thanks largely to new emissions standards introduced in 1997. As the authors note, the new standards had this effect even though it was “not their primary intent”.

President Biden’s executive order is just the latest example of progressives trying to make “equity” (that is, equality of outcomes across racial groups) the central aim of government policy. In the present case, it seems particularly misguided, given that recent trends are favourable across the board. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — especially not like this.


Noah Carl is an independent researcher and writer.

NoahCarl90

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Paddy Taylor
Paddy Taylor
1 year ago

Because if you can think of something – anything – that cannot be blamed on Racism, Trump or Transphobia, then you have clearly misunderstood the problem and need to reframe the question.

Paddy Taylor
Paddy Taylor
1 year ago

Because if you can think of something – anything – that cannot be blamed on Racism, Trump or Transphobia, then you have clearly misunderstood the problem and need to reframe the question.

Caty Gonzales
Caty Gonzales
1 year ago

Because he’s a Democrat and for them everything comes down to race.

Aldo Maccione
Aldo Maccione
1 year ago
Reply to  Caty Gonzales

What’s the name for somebody who sees everything according to race ?

Nicky Samengo-Turner
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago
Reply to  Aldo Maccione

flat or jumps?

James Longfield
James Longfield
1 year ago
Reply to  Aldo Maccione

I’ll say it. Racism

Nicky Samengo-Turner
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago
Reply to  Aldo Maccione

flat or jumps?

James Longfield
James Longfield
1 year ago
Reply to  Aldo Maccione

I’ll say it. Racism

Alan Hawkes
Alan Hawkes
1 year ago
Reply to  Caty Gonzales

Everything has to come down to something:: at the moment it’s race. Give it time and another bandwagon will come along.

Aldo Maccione
Aldo Maccione
1 year ago
Reply to  Caty Gonzales

What’s the name for somebody who sees everything according to race ?

Alan Hawkes
Alan Hawkes
1 year ago
Reply to  Caty Gonzales

Everything has to come down to something:: at the moment it’s race. Give it time and another bandwagon will come along.

Caty Gonzales
Caty Gonzales
1 year ago

Because he’s a Democrat and for them everything comes down to race.

Warren Trees
Warren Trees
1 year ago

There has to be an outlet for the college graduates with degrees in such amorphous topics such as environmental justice. And more layers of government to spend more money we don’t have.

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago
Reply to  Warren Trees

Yes, money doesn’t grow on Trees 😉

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago
Reply to  Warren Trees

Yes, money doesn’t grow on Trees 😉

Warren Trees
Warren Trees
1 year ago

There has to be an outlet for the college graduates with degrees in such amorphous topics such as environmental justice. And more layers of government to spend more money we don’t have.

Julian Farrows
Julian Farrows
1 year ago

In the US denying that systemic racism exists is tantamount to blasphemy. Racialism is sacrosanct and by tying environmental activism to terms like climate justice, individuals and institutions can accrue unprecedented levels of power. In effect those who challenge environmental orthodoxy can be conveniently lumped in with racists and bigots, and therefore safely ignored and overridden. As with most progressive ideals it’s a secular version of pagan idolatry, in this case Gaia worship.

Ethniciodo Rodenydo
Ethniciodo Rodenydo
1 year ago
Reply to  Julian Farrows

If there is one thing more sacrosanct than racism it is the holocaust. Now if we could just tie together the environment, racism and the holocaust we’d be unbeatable

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago

Clearly a job for Diane Abbot and Kemala Harris?

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago

Clearly a job for Diane Abbot and Kemala Harris?

Ethniciodo Rodenydo
Ethniciodo Rodenydo
1 year ago
Reply to  Julian Farrows

If there is one thing more sacrosanct than racism it is the holocaust. Now if we could just tie together the environment, racism and the holocaust we’d be unbeatable

Julian Farrows
Julian Farrows
1 year ago

In the US denying that systemic racism exists is tantamount to blasphemy. Racialism is sacrosanct and by tying environmental activism to terms like climate justice, individuals and institutions can accrue unprecedented levels of power. In effect those who challenge environmental orthodoxy can be conveniently lumped in with racists and bigots, and therefore safely ignored and overridden. As with most progressive ideals it’s a secular version of pagan idolatry, in this case Gaia worship.

AC Harper
AC Harper
1 year ago

…or because the Elite realise that the environmental narratives and the racism narratives are beginning to lose their grip on the public’s imagination so they are tying the two together as a Bargain Apocalypse.

Alan Hawkes
Alan Hawkes
1 year ago
Reply to  AC Harper

BOGOF?

Alan Hawkes
Alan Hawkes
1 year ago
Reply to  AC Harper

BOGOF?

AC Harper
AC Harper
1 year ago

…or because the Elite realise that the environmental narratives and the racism narratives are beginning to lose their grip on the public’s imagination so they are tying the two together as a Bargain Apocalypse.

R Wright
R Wright
1 year ago

It is the same story as every piece of legislation with the same goals. Create more (bureaucratic and HR) jobs, divide one segment of the population from the other, ritually humiliate your ideological Enemy and create meaningless, distracting buzz to pretend that you are actually doing something.

R Wright
R Wright
1 year ago

It is the same story as every piece of legislation with the same goals. Create more (bureaucratic and HR) jobs, divide one segment of the population from the other, ritually humiliate your ideological Enemy and create meaningless, distracting buzz to pretend that you are actually doing something.

Jim Veenbaas
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago

It’s all talking points. None of it matters to them. They don’t believe anything they say about justice, racism or the environment – and they don’t have to. They say the right things to appease their university educated, mostly white, mostly prosperous voting base. It doesn’t matter if it’s nonsense.

Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

Democrats – the party of fear, guilt, and racism.

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

Surely, university mis-educated if they believe woke nonsense?

Andy O'Gorman
Andy O'Gorman
1 year ago
Reply to  Andrew F

No Andrew. This was always the plan. They have brainwashed 3 generations and this is what was meant that America would be destroyed from within.

Andy O'Gorman
Andy O'Gorman
1 year ago
Reply to  Andrew F

No Andrew. This was always the plan. They have brainwashed 3 generations and this is what was meant that America would be destroyed from within.

Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

Democrats – the party of fear, guilt, and racism.

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim Veenbaas

Surely, university mis-educated if they believe woke nonsense?

Jim Veenbaas
Jim Veenbaas
1 year ago

It’s all talking points. None of it matters to them. They don’t believe anything they say about justice, racism or the environment – and they don’t have to. They say the right things to appease their university educated, mostly white, mostly prosperous voting base. It doesn’t matter if it’s nonsense.

Alphonse Pfarti
Alphonse Pfarti
1 year ago

I’m interested by the build up to next year’s election. I recall reading about some research which suggested that no small number of centrist voters saw wokism as a reaction to the excesses of Trump. They subsequently voted for Biden in the expectation that all the nonsense would go away if a more moderate president was the incumbent. If this is true, then they misread what was behind the idealogical capture of government and institutions as Biden has overseen a massive ramping up of woke policies. How will these voters swing in 2024, I wonder.

Michael Daniele
Michael Daniele
1 year ago

Indeed. And it’s amazing how moderate Trump’s actions were as president compared to Biden’s.

Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago

If Trump or other Republicans could articulate that well they would sweep into the WH with a solid majority. But they have communication problems.

Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago
Reply to  Terry M

Too late. The Democrats will never cede another election to a GOP president again. They’re improving on the 2020 steal in state houses and mayors offices all over the country with the willing aid of their corporate/media/tech/FBI/judiciary accomplices.
Communications are a problem when Democrats control the means.

James Longfield
James Longfield
1 year ago
Reply to  Terry M

I think it’s more of a media filter problem. I have no idea how they counter that now as the “fake news” train has left the station

Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago
Reply to  Terry M

Too late. The Democrats will never cede another election to a GOP president again. They’re improving on the 2020 steal in state houses and mayors offices all over the country with the willing aid of their corporate/media/tech/FBI/judiciary accomplices.
Communications are a problem when Democrats control the means.

James Longfield
James Longfield
1 year ago
Reply to  Terry M

I think it’s more of a media filter problem. I have no idea how they counter that now as the “fake news” train has left the station

Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago

If Trump or other Republicans could articulate that well they would sweep into the WH with a solid majority. But they have communication problems.

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago

Why should they if Trump is running?
Let’s hope D’Santis is Rep candidate…

Michael Daniele
Michael Daniele
1 year ago

Indeed. And it’s amazing how moderate Trump’s actions were as president compared to Biden’s.

Andrew F
Andrew F
1 year ago

Why should they if Trump is running?
Let’s hope D’Santis is Rep candidate…

Alphonse Pfarti
Alphonse Pfarti
1 year ago

I’m interested by the build up to next year’s election. I recall reading about some research which suggested that no small number of centrist voters saw wokism as a reaction to the excesses of Trump. They subsequently voted for Biden in the expectation that all the nonsense would go away if a more moderate president was the incumbent. If this is true, then they misread what was behind the idealogical capture of government and institutions as Biden has overseen a massive ramping up of woke policies. How will these voters swing in 2024, I wonder.

Hugh Bryant
Hugh Bryant
1 year ago

Because black Americans are starting to wake up to the damage done to their lives and communities by Wall Street Democrats and need to be kept onside by any means possible?

Hugh Bryant
Hugh Bryant
1 year ago

Because black Americans are starting to wake up to the damage done to their lives and communities by Wall Street Democrats and need to be kept onside by any means possible?

Cynthia W.
Cynthia W.
1 year ago

“Race” is all Biden has. His key constituency is older Black women government employees and retirees who love him because he was Barack Obama’s vice president.

Cynthia W.
Cynthia W.
1 year ago

“Race” is all Biden has. His key constituency is older Black women government employees and retirees who love him because he was Barack Obama’s vice president.

Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago

Why do you columnists waste everyone’s time by writing about Biden’s “policies”? Biden is given his orders, spelled out in simple language – LARGE TYPE – and put to bed when the day’s task is over – usually before noon.
Can you please do the work and find out who is actually running this country? Are they even from here? What is the point of keeping up this charade when the world can see with its own collective eyes the reality? What we need are facts, not endless whys.

Allison Barrows
Allison Barrows
1 year ago

Why do you columnists waste everyone’s time by writing about Biden’s “policies”? Biden is given his orders, spelled out in simple language – LARGE TYPE – and put to bed when the day’s task is over – usually before noon.
Can you please do the work and find out who is actually running this country? Are they even from here? What is the point of keeping up this charade when the world can see with its own collective eyes the reality? What we need are facts, not endless whys.

Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago

__________ justice.
Fill in the blank. Now you no longer have justice.

Terry M
Terry M
1 year ago

__________ justice.
Fill in the blank. Now you no longer have justice.

Kelly Madden
Kelly Madden
1 year ago

“Why”?!

Because it’s always about race, and gender, etc.

How else can meritless, rich, patriarchal, white males stay in power?

Kelly Madden
Kelly Madden
1 year ago

“Why”?!

Because it’s always about race, and gender, etc.

How else can meritless, rich, patriarchal, white males stay in power?

Nicky Samengo-Turner
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago

When asked about race Biden said ” I’ve got a hot tip for one of Bob Baffert’s in the 3.30 at Churchill Downs today”…

Nicky Samengo-Turner
Nicky Samengo-Turner
1 year ago

When asked about race Biden said ” I’ve got a hot tip for one of Bob Baffert’s in the 3.30 at Churchill Downs today”…

laurence scaduto
laurence scaduto
1 year ago

The Democrats are in love with polling. They’ve been wildly wrong in the past but that doesn’t matter. They’ll keep coming up with polls to tell themselves what they want to hear; I’m sure that’s where this enviromental justice thing came from.
You have to keep in mind that their aim is not winning elections, the real concern is sucking in campaign contributions. For instance, they did nothing to protect Roe v Wade. Now that it’s gone they’re making bundles from outraged voters. And now, predictably, the Party faithful keep coming up with new polls showing how much Americans love abortions, setting us up for the next lost election, and the next round of outrage. They’ll be making money on this for another forty years!

Last edited 1 year ago by laurence scaduto
laurence scaduto
laurence scaduto
1 year ago

The Democrats are in love with polling. They’ve been wildly wrong in the past but that doesn’t matter. They’ll keep coming up with polls to tell themselves what they want to hear; I’m sure that’s where this enviromental justice thing came from.
You have to keep in mind that their aim is not winning elections, the real concern is sucking in campaign contributions. For instance, they did nothing to protect Roe v Wade. Now that it’s gone they’re making bundles from outraged voters. And now, predictably, the Party faithful keep coming up with new polls showing how much Americans love abortions, setting us up for the next lost election, and the next round of outrage. They’ll be making money on this for another forty years!

Last edited 1 year ago by laurence scaduto
Andy E
Andy E
1 year ago

Looking at the picture… Over and over again the POTUS is doing official things outside, so he’s got a chance to wear sunglasses. sometimes it looks ridiculous — when for instance he was hosting S Korea’s guy (who obviously did not wear sg).

Andy E
Andy E
1 year ago

Looking at the picture… Over and over again the POTUS is doing official things outside, so he’s got a chance to wear sunglasses. sometimes it looks ridiculous — when for instance he was hosting S Korea’s guy (who obviously did not wear sg).