Former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently revoked multiple executive orders focused on environmental justice, originally introduced by Presidents Bill Clinton and Joe Biden.
These orders aimed to protect low-income and minority communities from disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards. Experts believe that rolling back these protections could have serious consequences, particularly for communities of color, who have historically faced environmental discrimination.
What Were Clinton and Biden’s Environmental Justice Orders?
Bill Clinton’s Executive Order 12898 (1994)
President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 12898 on February 11, 1994, marking a significant step toward environmental justice in the U.S. The order directed federal agencies to address environmental risks affecting low-income and minority communities.
- Required government agencies to consider environmental justice in policy decisions.
- Ensured federal attention to communities disproportionately affected by pollution.
- Recognized that environmental hazards were more common in low-income and minority areas.
The order was a response to mounting pressure from activists, particularly after the 1982 Warren County, North Carolina protests, where a predominantly Black community was chosen as the site for a hazardous waste landfill. The protests, led by the NAACP, are seen as a key moment in the environmental justice movement.
Joe Biden’s Environmental Justice Orders (2021 & 2023)
President Joe Biden expanded Clinton’s efforts by signing two key orders:
- Executive Order 14008 (2021): Ensured that disadvantaged communities received a fair share of federal climate crisis resources.
- Executive Order 14096 (2023): Strengthened commitments to scientifically supported environmental justice policies.
Both of these orders aimed to mitigate environmental discrimination and direct resources to communities disproportionately affected by pollution.
Trump’s Revocation and Its Impact
On his return to the White House, Trump revoked Clinton’s and Biden’s executive orders, citing concerns about “illegal discrimination” and his commitment to “merit-based opportunity.” His executive directive instructed federal agencies to eliminate programs designed to address systemic environmental racism.
Concerns Raised by Environmental Justice Advocates
Experts and activists argue that Trump’s actions will:
- Increase environmental hazards in minority and low-income communities.
- Reduce funding for research on pollution-related health issues.
- Allow polluting industries to operate with fewer restrictions in vulnerable areas.
Peggy Shepard, co-founder of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, expressed deep concern, stating, “Communities of color will feel the effects on their well-being.”
Similarly, Myrriah Gómez, an environmental justice professor, warned that Trump’s decision ignores decades of research on environmental racism. She emphasized that revoking these protections prioritizes capitalism over people’s health.
The Future of Environmental Justice in the U.S.
Environmental justice advocates believe that without federal oversight, pollution in low-income and minority communities will worsen. Experts also caution that weakening regulations could lead to increased health risks, especially as industries with high environmental impact—such as nuclear energy and AI-related data centers—expand.
Gómez pointed out a growing concern over nuclear waste disposal, noting that the U.S. lacks a dedicated facility for high-level nuclear waste. This could pose further risks, particularly in marginalized communities where hazardous facilities are often located.
Trump’s decision to revoke environmental justice executive orders has sparked widespread concern among activists and experts. By removing federal protections, minority and low-income communities face increased environmental and health risks.
With fewer regulations, industries may expand in ways that worsen pollution and public health concerns. Advocates stress that addressing environmental justice is not just about policy—it is about protecting people’s right to live in a safe and healthy environment.
