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The Nature Gap

Introduction and Overview

• The need for equitable access to clean drinking water, air, parks, and biodiversity in the USA.

• Nature should serve as a "great equalizer" but is unevenly distributed by race, income, and age.

• Recent events have spotlighted environmental injustices, particularly affecting racial and ethnic minorities.

• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated disparities in access to nature, with marginalized communities facing higher risks and fewer local nature spaces.

Aims of the Report

• The report analyzes racial and economic disparities in natural area access across the U.S.

• It supplements grassroots efforts for justice in natural resource policy through data-driven insights.

• Major findings indicate that communities of color have significantly less access to forests, wetlands, and parks.

Importance of Nature

• Nature is essential for health and well-being, providing air purification, recreation areas, and social spaces.

• Urban areas with degraded natural spaces lead to increased risks from pollution and lack of recreational access.

Policy Recommendations

• The report suggests creating more local outdoor spaces, improving representation in decision-making, and enhancing tribal consultation for natural resource management.

• An urgent goal is to preserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and oceans by 2030 to ensure fair distribution of nature's benefits.

Background Analysis

Historical Context

• The report connects environmental disparities to systemic racism, discussing factors like redlining and forced migration.

• The history of public lands involves violent dispossession of Indigenous peoples and ongoing challenges for tribal sovereignty.

• Segregation has historically restricted access to public lands for people of color, still reflected in participation rates in outdoor activities today.

Current Data Overview

• People of color are disproportionately affected by the destruction of natural areas, with 74% of communities of color living in nature-deprived areas compared to 23% of white communities.

• Lower income areas experience the highest levels of nature deprivation, correlating with a lack of nearby green spaces and recreational areas.

Analyzing Inequities

Data Methodology

• Analysis combines human activity data with demographic data from the Census Bureau to illustrate the landscape of nature deprivation by race, ethnicity, and income.

• Nature deprivation is classified based on the loss of natural areas due to development.

Key Findings

• Communities of color experience nature deprivation at three times the rate of white communities.

• Over 76% of low-income communities of color live in nature-deprived areas, facing health risks from environmental degradation.

Nature Deprivation and Impacts

Health Risks

• Communities suffering from nature deprivation are more vulnerable to health issues like asthma, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Investments in urban nature have been shown to yield substantial healthcare savings and improve community health.

Local Variations

• Access to nature varies dramatically by state, necessitating targeted interventions to address specific local challenges.

Access for Children

• Children, especially in marginalized communities, have significantly less access to quality natural environments, adversely affecting their development and academic outcomes.

Energy Development Concerns

• The expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure disproportionately impacts communities of color, contributing to further degradation of nearby natural spaces.

Recommendations for Change

1. Establish a national goal of protecting 30% of lands and oceans by 2030.

2. Enhance engagement with marginalized communities in decision-making processes.

3. Improve community representation within government and conservation organizations.

4. Increase outreach programs to educate children and families about nature.

5. Focus on restoring access to and protecting local green spaces.

6. Facilitate co-management opportunities with Indigenous peoples.

7. Invest in programs that provide equitable access to nature for all communities.