Faces of Environmental Racism: Confronting Issues of Global Justice

Laura Westra, Bill E. Lawson

Rowman & Littlefield, 2001 - Philosophy - 266 pages

Racial minorities in the United States are disproportionately exposed to toxic wastes and other environmental hazards, and cleanup efforts in their communities are slower and less thorough than efforts elsewhere. Internationally, wealthy countries of the North increasingly ship hazardous wastes to poorer countries of the South, resulting in such tragedies as the disaster at Bhopal. Through case studies that highlight the type of information that is seldom reported in the news, Faces of Environmental Racism exposes the type and magnitude of environmental racism, both domestic and international. The essays explore the justice of current environmental practices, asking such questions as whether cost-benefit analysis is an appropriate analytic technique and whether there are alternate routes to sustainable development in the South. The second edition of this unique volume further explores the ongoing problem of environmental racism. With a new introduction and preface, and new chapters by such experts as Charles W. Mills, Robert Melchior Figueroa, and Segun Gbadegesin, the second edition of Faces of Environmental Racism carries on the work of the first.

What people are saying

User Review -

Reading this for an ethnic studies class. As a poli-sci major, I appreciate the new perspectives on enviromental issues that can help me to fully grasp how interwoven racism is in our society.

User Review -

very bad book

Contents

• Decision Making: 3
• Environmental Justice A National Priority: 29
• Living for the City Urban United States and Environmental Justice: 41
• Just Garbage: 57
• Black Trash: 73
• Africville Environmental Racism: 95
• The Faces of Environmental Racism Titusville Alabama and BFI: 113
• Consent Equity and Environmental Justice A Lousiana Case Study: 141
• Other Faces Latinos and Environmental Justice: 167
• Multinational Corporations Developed Nations and Environmental Racism Toxic Waste Exploration and EcoCatastrophe: 187
• Somalia Environmental Degradation and Environmental Racism: 203
• South Africa Environmental Sustainability Needs Empowerment of Women: 229
• Index: 249
• About the Contributors: 263

About the author

Laura Westra is professor emerita of philosophy at the University of Windsor and the author or editor of numerous books, including An Environmental Proposal for Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield, 1994), Faces of Environmental Racism (Rowman & Littlefield, 1995), Perspectives on Ecological Integrity (Kluwer), The Greeks and the Environment (Rowman & Littlefield, 1997) and Technology and Values (Rowman & Littlefield, 1998). Bill Lawson is professor of philosophy at Michigan State University.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Faces of Environmental Racism: Confronting Issues of Global Justice; Faces of Environmental Racism: Confronting Issues of Global Justice, Laura Westra; Studies in Social, Political; Studies in social, political, and legal philosophy
• Editors: Laura Westra, Bill E. Lawson
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 2001
• ISBN: 0742512495, 9780742512498
• Length: 266 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy; Social Science / Discrimination & Race Relations