Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Climate change--Government policy--United States; United States. Department of Transportation; United States. Department of Energy; United States. Environmental Protection Agency; Intersectionality (Sociology); Marginiality, Social;

Abstract

As the climate crisis intensifies, U.S. federal policies play a critical role in addressing the disproportionate environmental burdens borne by marginalized communities. This thesis assesses how equity, environmental social justice, and intersectionality have been integrated into the policy documents of three key federal agencies: Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Energy (DOE), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over a 20-year period (2004–2024). Using a quantitative content analysis of 46 policy documents, the study evaluates five core dimensions: depth of discussion, clarity of language, inclusiveness of marginalized groups, action-oriented language, and environmental justice considerations. The research reveals significant interagency disparities, with the EPA consistently outperforming the DOT and DOE across all categories. Furthermore, temporal analysis demonstrates a progressive increase in the integration of intersectional and justice-oriented themes, particularly after 2019. This study underscores the need for consistent, equity-driven policymaking across federal agencies and contributes to the growing literature advocating for an intersectional lens in climate governance, offering actionable insights for more just and inclusive environmental policies. By centering the experiences of marginalized communities, this thesis reinforces the imperative for federal policies that not only acknowledge historical and systemic inequalities but also operationalize tangible strategies for inclusive climate resilience.

Year of Submission

2025

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Women's and Gender Studies Program

First Advisor

Alex Oberle, Chair

Date Original

2025

Object Description

1 PDF file (ix, 86 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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