Climate change is the most pressing crisis of our time. At the University of Michigan School of Public Health, we know that the health of the planet and the health of people are inextricably linked, and in order to preserve human health, we must consider the health of our planet and our environment.
With that in mind, environmental justice is at the core of much of our work, whether we’re studying air and water quality, the urban heat island effect, or adverse outcomes following increasingly frequent natural disasters. Research has shown that communities of color, low-income communities and other vulnerable populations are at higher risk for exposure to environmental risk factors. Environmental justice aims to combat that and ensure that all people are fully protected from adverse health effects caused by environmental factors. Ultimately, we want all people to have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable and resilient environment.
