I interpret root cause to mean a causal variable that is not dependent on other examined causal variables. If racism can exacerbate something, it is playing a c

I interpret root cause to mean a causal variable that is not dependent on other examined causal variables. If racism can exacerbate something, it is playing a causal role. Since the racism does not depend on other mentioned variables, (racism is not a product of co2 emissions) it would then have to be a root cause given the context.