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Knowledge and Perceptions of Environmental Issues by African Americans/Blacks in Washington, DC, USA: Giving Voice to the Voiceless

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  • Elgloria Harrison

    (School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing, Lehman College City University of New York, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
    College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA)

  • Ashley D. Milton

    (College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA
    She Grows It™, Washington, DC 20032, USA)

  • Matthew L. Richardson

    (College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20008, USA)

Abstract

Our study elucidated knowledge and perceptions of natural resources and climate change by African Americans/Blacks in Washington, DC since they are a traditionally marginalized population and to see if we could dispel the perception that they have low knowledge and interest in environmental issues. Secondarily, we wanted to determine if knowledge and perceptions vary across age groups. We conducted a survey of 491 Blacks in the District and asked 26 questions/statements related to natural resources, climate change, economics, and health. Participants were categorized into four age groups 18–25, 26–40, 41–65, and 66 and older for analysis. We found that the level of environmental knowledge across the age groups was relatively high and largely similar. Our results suggest that Blacks care about the environment, see the environment as beneficial to their health, and are knowledgeable about natural resources. However, younger Blacks (18–25) were the least likely to think of the natural world as a community to which they belong, report feelings of connection to it, and recognize that it impacts their personal welfare. In conclusion, we find that Blacks in the District possess environmental awareness and use local environmental language, depicting the uniqueness of their community. The mainstream environmental movement may fail to recognize this local language, leading to exclusion of vulnerable populations based on a faulty premise that these populations lack knowledge or interest in environmental issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Elgloria Harrison & Ashley D. Milton & Matthew L. Richardson, 2020. "Knowledge and Perceptions of Environmental Issues by African Americans/Blacks in Washington, DC, USA: Giving Voice to the Voiceless," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9495-:d:445328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marta Iturriza & Josune Hernantes & Ahmed A. Abdelgawad & Leire Labaka, 2020. "Are Cities Aware Enough? A Framework for Developing City Awareness to Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Anthony Amoah & Thomas Addoah, 2021. "Does environmental knowledge drive pro-environmental behaviour in developing countries? Evidence from households in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 2719-2738, February.
    3. Matthew L. Richardson & Ashley D. Milton & Elgloria Harrison, 2020. "People with Different Educational Attainment in Washington, DC, USA have Differential Knowledge and Perceptions about Environmental Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Mikati, I. & Benson, A.F. & Luben, T.J. & Sacks, J.D. & Richmond-Bryant, J., 2018. "Disparities in distribution of particulate matter emission sources by race and poverty status," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 108(4), pages 480-485.
    5. Max J. Pfeffer & J. Mayone Stycos, 2002. "Immigrant Environmental Behaviors in New York City," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 83(1), pages 64-81, March.
    6. David Schlosberg & Lisette B. Collins, 2014. "From environmental to climate justice: climate change and the discourse of environmental justice," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(3), pages 359-374, May.
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