Many people understand the environment as a force of nature that cannot favor or disfavor different populations. However, similar to all things on Earth, the environment is subject to human influences. Unfortunately, these influences often tend to lower their hands to the worsts of our society including racism and classism. This inequality can ultimately create environmental racism, effecting many communities’ water and air quality and overall livelihoods. University of New Mexico Honors College Assistant Professor Myrriah Gómez studies environmental racism and specifically its effects in New Mexico. Gómez focuses on the unique ways in which environmental racism has compounded with other societal factors to create environmental injustice throughout the state.