An LA Times article by Sammy Roth highlights the issue of environmental racism faced by many residents of Los Angeles due to the city’s history of freeway infrastructure planning and residential segregation.
A study cited in the article found that residents who drive less are exposed to more air pollution, while commuters from majority-White neighborhoods disproportionately drive through non-White neighborhoods.
The author suggests that climate solutions are needed to benefit everyone, and proposes solutions such as ending the sale of most gasoline vehicles and allowing more apartment construction in wealthier neighborhoods.
TAKEAWAYS:
Residents of Los Angeles who drive less are exposed to more air pollution, while commuters from majority-White neighborhoods disproportionately drive through non-White neighborhoods.
Decades of racially-motivated freeway infrastructure planning and residential segregation shape today’s disparities in who produces vehicular air pollution and who is exposed to it.
The study suggests that urban planning and transport policy could mitigate the injustice of environmental racism. Solutions proposed by the author include ending the sale of most gasoline vehicles and allowing more apartment construction in wealthier neighborhoods.
The article and study have faced criticism on Twitter for being false and racist.
COMMENTARY:
The issue of environmental racism in Los Angeles highlighted in this article is a real and pressing concern that must be addressed. The history of freeway infrastructure planning and residential segregation has had long-lasting effects that disproportionately harm communities of color.
The proposed solutions, such as ending the sale of most gasoline vehicles and allowing more apartment construction in wealthier neighborhoods, are steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the systemic issues at the root of this problem.
The criticism the article and study have faced on Twitter is unfounded and ignores the reality of environmental racism in Los Angeles. Dismissing this issue as false or racist only perpetuates the harm caused by decades of discriminatory policies and practices.
It is crucial that we acknowledge and address this issue in a meaningful way to ensure that everyone has access to clean air and a healthy environment, regardless of their race or income.
Sourcehttps://www.foxnews.com/media/la-times-writer-white-drivers-polluting-air-breathed-las-people-color
