Many environmental organizations lack diversity, including often white women as the main demographic. However, environmental problems are experienced differently by different social groups, including black versus white groups. For the middle class white population in the US, environmental issues have often included pollution, barriers to recreational activities, etc.. On the other hand, for people of color, environmental issues were often life or death including issues of "smoke, soot, dust, . . . fumes gases, stench, and carbon monoxide." In the past environmental organizations have focused "on preserving natural resources and endangered species instead of protecting people of color from hazardous waste sites being built in their communities". When environmental organizations appoint people of color to positions of leadership, the focus will often shift more towards focus on these major, life-threatening issues. However, a significant 2014 State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations study found that the percentage of minorities working for environmental organizations has never exceeded 16% and less than 12% have achieved positions of leadership.
many environmental organizations lack diversity including often white women as the main demographic however environmental problems are experienced differently by different social groups including black versus white groups for the middle class white population in the us environmental issues have often included pollution barriers to recreational activities etc on the other hand for people of color environmental issues were often life or death including issues of "smoke soot dust    fumes gases stench and carbon monoxide" in the past environmental organizations have focused "on preserving natural resources and endangered species instead of protecting people of color from hazardous waste sites being built in their communities" when environmental organizations appoint people of color to positions of leadership the focus will often shift more towards focus on these major life-threatening issues however a significant 2014 state of diversity in environmental organizations study found that the percentage of minorities working for environmental organizations has never exceeded 16% and less than 12% have achieved positions of leadership