What is environmental justice and why is it important in the USA?
We all have a chance to advocate and take part in environmental justice. Across all industries, there is much work to do to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. Creating a powerful commitment to this is a vital first step in environmental justice.
At AtkinsRéalis, we make sure our policy on equality, diversity and inclusion remains at the heart of every operation and project. If you want to help us push for a safer, more inclusive and diverse future and to combat inequalities and to improve your quality of life, we may have an exciting career opportunity for you.
What is environmental justice?
In the 1980s, the terms ‘environmental racism’ and ‘environmental justice’ were coined and gained traction as a pressing and necessary agenda. Environmental justice is the concept that everyone deserves access to a healthy, enjoyable environment. It fights against the issue that some communities are facing more inequities in terms of environmental management than those of a wealthier socioeconomic status.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines this as, "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies."
History of environmental justice in the USA
In the 1980s, there was a defining event that helped to propel the movement for environmental justice. In North Carolina, a decision was made to create a toxic waste landfill site in Warren County, a place with a predominantly African-American population.
The protests in North Carolina gathered national attention, which opened up research into the systemic history of environmental injustice. Many minority and low-income communities spoke up about how they were exposed to environmental risks such as pollution and toxic waste, highlighting the disproportionate effect in differing socioeconomic communities.
The impact of environmental injustice
There is a lot of work to do as environmental injustices remain prevalent, with recent statistics showing that minority groups and those in poverty are more likely to be impacted by climate change:
- Access to clean and drinkable water in the USA correlates with race
- White people experience 17% less air pollution than caused by what they consume
- Hispanic people receive 63% more pollution exposure relative to their consumption
With these statistics in mind, it is important to understand how environmental injustice can occur across a range of industries and areas. A career at AtkinsRéalis provides an opportunity to really improve the status quo. From energy efficiency to transportation, to public health and resilience, ensuring meaningful involvement for environmental justice across all sectors is vital for building a healthy environment for all.
Why environmental justice is important
With growing climate, environmental and sustainability challenges, taking fast action is becoming increasingly important. However, this fast-action should not come at the cost of environmental injustice. Instead, it is a chance to create the environmental laws, policies and changes that benefit everyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic situation, and creates a world where everyone can thrive.
Creating a healthy environment for society would improve overall well-being, and particularly as we emerge from the global pandemic, the health of all individuals and a safe environment to live in is paramount.
Fundamental aspects of environmental justice
The pillars of environmental justice center around the term meaningful involvement, which includes aspects such as:
- Allowing the public to contribute to law and regulatory decisions
- Ensuring everyone is able to participate in decisions that may affect their health and environment
- Raising community concerns in all decision-making processes
- Facilitating involvement for all those who may potentially be affected by a decision.
Driving environmental justice for the future
At AtkinsRéalis , with our work across engineering, construction, energy and architecture, we know we have an opportunity to support greater environmental justice and ensure that every member of the organization has a chance to make a positive difference for the future.
From helping to make clean energy jobs more inclusive to Native Americans to promoting diversity in the architecture and construction industry, our focus is on learning, growing and making the positive changes that will impact the communities we serve.
We are always looking for talent to help drive and champion environmental justice, ensure projects are considerate of all and make sure any concerns or opportunities haven't been overlooked. From architecture and planning jobs in the USA to civil engineering or project management careers, there are lots of ways you can drive positive change in your career with AtkinsRéalis . Become a part of an inclusive future by browsing our available USA jobs today or signing up to receive tailored job alerts.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
Hello, I'm Amalia, a senior billing specialist at AtkinsRéalis in Romania. On my first day at the organization, I had mixed feelings— I felt a little fear but also confidence that I would be fine
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/23/2025
Summary
Our journey began in Bangalore, India, as six professionals representing various disciplines from the Global Technology Centre (GTC) embarked on a month-long secondment to lead the Project off
by
Akash Kumar
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/14/2025
Summary
The Middle East has become a magnet for ambitious professionals in recent years. This has seen the area emerge as a leader in construction, a sector which is projected to grow to $91.36bn by 2029.
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/14/2025
Summary
The Middle East is full of opportunity. With its GDP up by 2.8% and NEOM creating 380,000 jobs, the ambition of the region is evident. We’re proud to be at the heart of its most innovative project
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/14/2025
Summary
Electrical engineering has a big part to play in the advancement of modern infrastructure. From smart watches to smart grids, its impact can be seen everywhere you look. By bringing greener practi
Preview
USAContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/13/2025
Summary
Structural engineering jobs offer an impactful and exciting path. The spaces that we live, move, and work in depend on the expertise of these skilled professionals. As a structural engineer, you’l
Preview
USAContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/13/2025
Summary
Transportation engineering jobs are on the up. Some of the biggest problems of today are being tackled in the transportation field. There’s a thirst for professionals looking to make a real impact
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/09/2025
Summary
Hello, I'm Vijay, an HR leader at AtkinsRéalis in India When I first embarked on my professional journey, I couldn't have imagined the incredible path I would take at AtkinsRé
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/20/2024
Summary
Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be a daunting prospect, but at AtkinsRéalis, veterans and reservists are met with tailored support and opportunities to thrive. Stuart
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/20/2024
Summary
What is the role of mechanical engineers? Mechanical engineers play a crucial role in the development of machinery and components across a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing and industri
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/20/2024
Summary
The journey to achieving net zero emissions requires innovative thinkers, technical expertise, and a commitment to sustainable solutions. At AtkinsRéalis, talented engineers like Shayakgomo are
Preview
Middle EastContent type
ProjectsPublish date
12/19/2024
Summary
What is the AMAALA project in Saudi Arabia? The AMAALA project is an ambitious ultra-luxury tourism development along Saudi Arabia's stunning Red Sea coast. I
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Austin
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Ecology & environment
Market
Environment & geoscience
Category
Permanent
Location
Miami
Tallahassee
Tampa
Austin
Dallas
Houston
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-122096
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Austin
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Ecology & environment
Market
Environment & geoscience
Category
Permanent
Location
Austin
Description
Why join us? It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of makin
Reference
R-114837
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more