Environmental Justice Issue

North Richmond, CA Demographics (2018 US Census)

According to 2018 US Census, population in the North Richmond, where the Chevron oil refinery is placed, barely consisted of non-Hispanic White (3.38%). Hispanic, African American, and Asian races dominated the most of population.

51% of North Richmond, CA residents were born outside of the United States, which was much higher than national and state rate.

Only 68.3% of North Richmond, CA residents held US citizenship, which was much lower than national and state rate.

Median income of North Richmond, CA households was $58,056 which is less than national and state median incomes.

Median property value in North Richmond, CA is relatively cheaper than surrounding cities and state median properties.

Environmental Injustice

Analyzing in North Richmond Demographics, we can find the environmental justice issue that placing the toxic oil refinery around the minority communities of people of color and low incomes. This issue of environmental justice is also an issue relating to social justice issue because their root is the same (Clark 19). Low-income communities in North Richmond, where there is lack of political power, and crime and other problems, are also having disproportionate impact from hazardous chemical companies (Clark 20). The residents in North Richmond has lower income and many of them are non-citizen. Because they can’t afford the better environment and hardly have a power to transform surroundings, they have to live in next to dangerous oil refinery continuously. Against this environmental injustice, many community organizations in North Richmond has been struggled for a long time.

Sources

Clark, Henry, et al. Fighting Toxic Emissions in Richmond, California, 1984-2000. 2003. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04202a&AN=ucb.b11411563&site=eds-live.

“North Richmond, CA.” Data USA, datausa.io/profile/geo/north-richmond-ca.

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