Story by Alison Moran
Photos by Maiko Ando
Farm workers in New Mexico are exposed to toxic pesticides; Native American reservations have become waste disposal firms; gas flares and water pollution continue to plague the people of Nigeria. These are just some examples of environmental injustices that the Coalition Against Environmental Racism (CAER) is fighting against. Since its inception in 1994, CAER has worked as a University of Oregon student group dedicated to educating the community about environmental racism – an issue that affects minority groups worldwide. April 24 and 25 CAER is hosting its 15th Annual Grassroots Environmental Justice Conference aimed at educating the community about urban justice, climate justice, food justice, and nuclear power. Ethos sat down with CAER co-director Adrien Wilkie who explains that environmental racism isn’t about “discriminating against trees,” but a much more pressing issue.
Alison Moran: What is environmental racism?
Adrien Wilkie: Environmental racism is the fact that lower income communities – specifically communities of color – are disproportionately impacted by environmental bads, which can be anything from proximity to toxic waste sites, lack of access to green sites like parks, lack of access to fresh produce, dirty air, etc. These communities tend to be disenfranchised politically.
AM: What kind of environmental injustices are there?
AW: There are lots, and they are on a local and global scale. For example, even though the Western world produces the most waste, we are the least affected. Internationally speaking, oil drilling is an example of an environmental injustice because there is a lack of regulation. Gas flaring, which is a means of disposal of waste in third-world countries, is not okay here in America, but it is in Nigeria. Nationally speaking, when looking at who lives within proximity to toxic waste facilities, the number one indicator is race. It has to do with institutionalized racism in the system.
AM: Aren’t there any laws that protect people from environmental hazards?
AW: There are laws, but these laws are so stringent. And there aren’t that many regulations. For example, there is a West Eugene company whose pollution emissions are polluting the air of local community – a community dominated by minorities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved this company’s actions, yet they are still not required to have a filter stem that dissolves toxins. So yes, there are some regulations, but they are not enforceable.
AM: Why was CAER founded?
AW: The coalition was founded 16 years ago, and it was started in the law school by a professor. What really got it going was with the help of law students. It eventually left the law school, and is today a part of the multicultural center. CAER is primarily comprised of undergrads. It’s about having the community come together and holding companies accountable.
AM: What kind of work has CAER done?
AW: Every year we host film screenings and we’ve shown the documentaries Crude, Flow, and Tapped – all deal with environmental issues. We give lectures on the topic of environmental racism; we’ve presented at various conferences. But the annual conference is the most important thing. This conference is always really rewarding and amazing to meet all these people from different backgrounds.
AM: Can you elaborate on the conference CAER is hosting?
AW: This year we’re hosting “Dare to CAER,” the 15th Annual Coalition Against Environmental Racism Conference from Saturday, April 24 to Sunday, April 25. We are trying to keep the focus local, even though in past years we have brought in international speakers. Our keynote speaker this year is Omar Freilla who will talk about green job creation. Most of the organizations coming to the conference are from Oregon and California. Because of the nation’s renewed interest in nuclear power, we’ve made that a topic. We are asking the question, if nuclear power becomes a force again, how are we going to deal with it? No one wants it in their back yard. It’s the NIMBY [not in my backyard] mentality.
AM: What is the future of the group?
AW: It’s always good to gain members, and hopefully more and more people will get involved. I think our name turns away people. Many are put off by the word “racism” and some have said the name is too harsh. Others are confused. “How can you be racist against trees?” people have asked. I say: “That’s not what we’re about so let me tell you more.” I think the group has a lot of potential.
AM: How do you become a member?
AW: All you have to do is come to meetings and participate as much or as little as you want. We meet Tuesdays at 7 pm in the U.O. Multicultural Center. People can always help out by supporting us at our events. It doesn’t take much. Just interest and will power.
