Environmental Activism in Warren County, North Carolina

Abstract

The modern environmental justice movement has stemmed from the activism that took place in Warren County, North Carolina following the decision to construct a toxic waste landfill in a majority black and low-income community. This contributed to the historically unjust political decisions and lack of regulation that has targeted vulnerable populations and forced them to suffer the detrimental health impacts as a result of private and federal company’s actions. The activism that took place in the 1980s-90s influenced social and political reform by drawing national attention to the issue of environmental racism. While the United States has come a long way since Warren County, there is still injustice and discrimination that must be addressed in order to protect the health and wellbeing of unprotected and underrepresented communities.