Environmental Justice

Definition

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and involvement of all people in environmental decision-making, ensuring that no particular group bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental impacts. It connects issues of social justice with environmental policy, highlighting how marginalized communities often face greater risks from pollution and resource depletion while having less power to influence decisions that affect their environment and health.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Environmental justice emerged as a movement in the 1980s, fueled by grassroots activism in response to hazardous waste sites being placed in predominantly low-income communities.
2. The principle of environmental justice asserts that all individuals should have equal access to environmental benefits and protection from environmental harm, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
3. Environmental justice highlights the intersection between social inequality and environmental degradation, revealing how marginalized groups often experience higher exposure to pollutants and fewer resources for advocacy.
4. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the Office of Environmental Justice in 1994, emphasizing the need for policies that address inequities in environmental protection.
5. Globally, environmental justice has expanded beyond local issues to address transnational concerns such as climate change impacts on vulnerable populations and resource exploitation in developing countries.

Review Questions

• How does environmental justice relate to the principles of sustainability and international development?
  • Environmental justice is closely linked to sustainability as it advocates for equitable treatment of all communities in the context of resource use and environmental protection. In international development, achieving sustainability requires addressing social inequities that affect marginalized populations. By incorporating environmental justice into development efforts, policies can ensure that vulnerable groups are not only protected from environmental harms but also included in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
• Discuss the role of grassroots movements in shaping the agenda for environmental justice.
  • Grassroots movements have been instrumental in highlighting issues of environmental injustice by mobilizing communities affected by pollution and advocating for their rights. These movements often bring together diverse groups who may not have a voice in mainstream politics, thus raising awareness about systemic inequalities. Through protests, public campaigns, and community organizing, they push for policy changes that prioritize equity and ensure that affected communities are involved in decisions regarding their environment.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current policies addressing environmental justice on a global scale and propose improvements.
  • Current policies addressing environmental justice vary widely in effectiveness across regions. While some countries have made strides in integrating justice considerations into environmental laws, many continue to see marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change. To improve effectiveness, policies should include stronger enforcement mechanisms, community involvement in decision-making processes, and targeted funding for vulnerable populations. Additionally, addressing transnational issues like corporate accountability can enhance global efforts towards equitable environmental governance.

Related terms

Sustainability: The ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

Ecological Racism: A form of discrimination where communities of color and low-income groups are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards due to systemic inequities.

Activism: The efforts of individuals or groups to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change through various forms of advocacy.