On Friday, President Joe Biden announced that he will be signing an executive order on environmental justice. The order will aim to address the persistent environmental injustices that many communities across the United States have faced, including toxic pollution, underinvestment in infrastructure and critical services, and other disproportionate environmental harms often due to a legacy of racial discrimination including redlining. These communities with environmental justice concerns face even greater burdens due to climate change, which is exacerbating existing inequalities.
The White House’s statement on the executive order highlights the importance of environmental justice, saying that it is essential to achieving the Administration’s goal of putting the United States on a path to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. It also recognizes the role that environmental injustice has played in perpetuating systemic racism in America.
During his remarks on the new executive order, President Biden highlighted the need for action on environmental justice, saying that the order will “begin to tackle the issues that we know are there.” He also emphasized that environmental justice is a top priority for his administration and that it is committed to addressing these issues head-on.
The President’s announcement comes at a time when many communities across the country are grappling with environmental injustice and the impacts of climate change. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile incidents where low-income and minority communities have been disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards, such as toxic waste sites, air pollution, and climate-related disasters.
Biden’s executive order aims to address these disparities by establishing a White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, which will provide recommendations on addressing environmental justice issues across federal programs and policies. The order also directs federal agencies to take a series of actions to address environmental injustices, including strengthening enforcement of existing environmental laws and regulations and directing resources to communities with environmental justice concerns.
In addition to these measures, the order also establishes a government-wide commitment to advancing environmental justice and promoting community-led solutions. This includes investing in community-led projects that improve public health and the environment, expanding access to clean energy and energy efficiency, and increasing the resilience of communities facing climate-related risks.
The announcement of the executive order comes as part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to address climate change and environmental issues. The President has made tackling the climate crisis a top priority, and his administration has already taken a number of steps to address environmental issues, including rejoining the Paris climate agreement and announcing plans to invest heavily in clean energy and infrastructure.
While the executive order on environmental justice is a significant step forward, it is just the beginning of the Biden administration’s efforts to address environmental injustices and tackle the climate crisis. It remains to be seen how effective the measures laid out in the order will be in achieving these goals, but for many communities across the country, it represents an important step towards greater equity and justice in the face of environmental challenges.
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