Sociologist and Environmental Justice Activist Dr. Robert Bullard came of age during the Civil Rights Movement. Back then, the conversation around how racism and environmentalism intersected hadn’t gained much traction.

But Dr. Bullard began to make those connections through his research. He began to notice in cities across the country — from his hometown of Houston to Alabama to Louisiana — the ways in which black neighborhoods were made to bear the brunt of industrial pollution.

Dr. Bullard has dedicated his career to fighting environmental racism, and he believes that fight may have reached a turning point.

We spoke to him about why the Black Lives Matter demonstrations that have taken place over the past few weeks feel unique — even from other racial justice milestones he’s witnessed.

And he gives us his take on what a President Biden could do to turn hopeful words into concrete action.