Have we entered an era of Environmental Colonialism?

Environmental racism is quietly reshaping the geopolitical dynamics. The question no longer remains if the west rules or if we need to look east, we have created a far more complex global power structure, one that is defined by the quality of the natural ecosystem. However, the Global South continues to be at a disadvantage as compared to the Global North with climate agreements failing to address the unfair standards imposed on the Global South. 

The ‘virtuous cycle’ choking the Global South:

It’s 2026 and we are waking up the the news of rapid shutdown of over 100 Oxfam charity shops in the UK. This reflects a bleak situation, which were once established to encourage sustainability and reduce environmental costs, have succumbed to rising costs of keeping them operational. However, only 30% of the donated clothes are resold or downcycled, the rest of the textile waste amounting to over thousands of tonnes are being dumped in Global south. The gluttony of fashion is difficult to overlook in this instance, where the consumption rate continues to grow, and solutions that are implemented have resulted in an unsustainable industry.

In addition to the growing landfills in the Global South that keep the West clean, environmental racism occurs within a country amongst its people. The marginalised societies experience discrimination, with factories and landfills placed near minority neighborhoods, resulting in higher levels of air and water pollution, turning them into hazardous zones. While all the countries are chasing their carbon credits, they have refrained from addressing the depleting quality of resources amongst the marginalised. 

Where does India stand?

India ranks the lowest in the environmental performance index at 176 out of a total of 177 countries, which is concerning considering it ranked low on many essential factors, that would impact the ecosystem we retain in the long run. The Central Pollution Control Board found that over 350 river stretches in the country are polluted, due to contamination from sewage, microplastics, waste, industrialisation, and agricultural runoff. 

In addition to this, there have been numerous cases related to polluted water causing severe health crisis. Contaminated tap water resulted in 5,500 people falling ill between 2025-2026 in 26 cities, which resulted in the death of 34 people. Poor quality of natural resources across the country are signalling the possibility of a large scale health crisis that would risk the lives of many. Moreover, unregulated disposal of waste and poor sanitation are contributing to the existing crisis. We have essentially created two India’s, one heading towards a sustainable ecosystem created by well funded private businesses, and the other forced to live the truth of the existing polluted ecosystem.

How do we solve this?

The fix as most propose should take place at the policy level. However, the failed attempt of countries to avoid the tipping point, signal the need  for actionable change at a societal level. These changes should be introduced to solve the major source of natural resource pollution- mismanaged garbage. Operational systems related to garbage segregation that are practised at an individual and unit level would actively reduce landfill waste. In addition to this, it is essential to introduce accessible infrastructural changes that allow for ease in adopting more sustainable practices would encourage people to walk short distances, cycle and rely on short-distance green bikes.