What Lies Ahead for Environmental Justice?

• By: AWMA
• On: 04/07/2025 10:01:11
• In: EM Articles
• Comments: 0

by Chris Whitehead and John D. Kinsman

Shortly after his inauguration, President Donald Trump issued 46 Presidential actions (https://www.whitehouse.gov/ presidential-actions/), including Executive Orders and other memos to federal agencies. Numerous of these and subsequent actions have direct or indirect linkages to environmental justice (EJ). The administration is divesting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. EJ is not DEI, but some EJ programs are associated with DEI. EJ also is linked to actions on climate change and many U.S. climate policies are being revised as well.

Some key activities of the new administration include revising federal government resources, such as reducing agency staffing and freezing, revoking, and reviewing past regulatory and policy actions. In the presence of major federal government headwinds, where does that leave EJ? 

In this issue, we are fortunate to learn from leaders in their respective fields—Dr. Sandra Whitehead (George Washington University), J. Michael Showalter and Robert Middleton (ArentFox Schiff LLP), and Darren Riley and Sarah Craft (JustAir), who bring important perspectives and highlight many key issues.

In the first article, Sandra Whitehead discusses the roles of states, cities, and business in continuing EJ work even without federal leadership and support. She suggests that historically when federal work is dropped, outlawed, or subverted, the focus then will naturally shift more to state and local governments.

Next, J. Michael Showalter and Robert Middleton observe that the comprehensive environmental laws in the United States have benefited many (but not all) communities. The authors recognize that even before the current Trump administration, EJ had become a political football, and the federal approach was legally cautious. With new reductions in federal resources, this is only the end of a chapter. EJ initiatives were never exclusively federal.

Third, Darren Riley and Sarah Craft highlight community work that their organization has performed in Wayne County, Michigan, and the correlation between increased exposure to environmental harms and health impacts. The Wayne County initiative demonstrates that addressing EJ through air quality data requires more than just sensor deployment. It demands intentional relationship building, technical innovation, and sustained community partnership at every stage.

We appreciate the excellent contributions of the authors. 

Continue reading the full April 2025 issue of EM.