Which of the following is a key definition of environmental racism?

• A. Economic investment in communities of color
• B. Environmental policies that ignore all communities equally
• C. Communities of color living in or surrounded by unhealthy and toxic environments
• D. A universal policy reducing pollution in rural areas

Answer: (C)

Environmental racism describes the unequal burden of environmental hazards carried by communities of color due to historical and ongoing policies and practices. The best definition here states that communities of color live in or are surrounded by unhealthy and toxic environments, which reflects the pattern of higher exposure to pollution, hazardous waste, and degraded air and water quality because of where facilities are placed and who has a voice in decisions. It emphasizes that the issue is systemic and about impact and power, not just individual choices.

Other options don’t fit because they don’t capture this unequal exposure. Economic investment in communities of color could be positive or neutral and doesn’t inherently describe environmental harm. A policy that ignores all communities equally describes a color-blind neglect that isn’t about racial disparities in risk. A universal policy targeting rural areas misses the racial inequity focus entirely.