Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor(s)

John Van Buren

Abstract

The following paper provides insight into the Flint, Michigan water crisis of 2014 through the lens of environmental racism. The Flint, Michigan water crisis saw the contamination of the municipal water supply of the town of Flint as a result of the decision to switch the main water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River as a temporary measure as the town of Flint switched to the Karegnondi Water Authority contract to supply their municipal water. Flint is a majority minority community, and the facets of race and socioeconomic status played a significant role in how the crisis was addressed through failed government action at all levels, as well as in the political sphere as the crisis became a symbol of environmental justice. The first chapter of this paper analyzes the historical context of the Flint, Michigan water crisis and analyzes the harm done to the citizens of Flint, Michigan via the various ecosystem services provided. The second chapter explores the role of race and poverty within the Flint, Michigan water crisis through the lens of environmental politics, exploring the failure of all levels of government to intervene on behalf of Flint, as well as the political nature of the crisis. The third expands upon these concepts by analyzing the response through the lens of environmental racism and analyzes the lack of effective response as an intersection of racial/socioeconomic composition of Flint. The fourth chapter begins by historically introducing the environmental justice movement in the United States and the concept of environmental justice in regard to Flint, then addresses these issues through the lens of comparative analysis. Drawing on these ideas, the final chapter poses policy recommendations to reconcile the health and trust of minority communities of Flint, Michigan, while also introducing proposed USEPA municipal water policy changes to ensure crises of a similar nature are as unlikely to occur as possible.

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