Environmental Justice

Definition

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental laws, regulations, and policies, ensuring that everyone has access to a healthy environment regardless of race, color, income, or national origin. It emphasizes the need to address the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities and seeks to empower these groups in decision-making processes related to environmental issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The environmental justice movement emerged in the United States during the 1980s in response to the increasing awareness of environmental inequalities affecting marginalized communities.
2. Key events, such as the 1982 protests in Warren County, North Carolina, highlighted the connection between environmental issues and civil rights, galvanizing activists across the country.
3. The concept encompasses both procedural justice (involvement in decision-making) and distributive justice (fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens).
4. Environmental justice is not only a national issue but also has global implications, as many countries face similar inequalities related to pollution and resource distribution.
5. Organizations advocating for environmental justice often work at the grassroots level, empowering affected communities to advocate for their rights and engage with policymakers.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of environmental justice challenge traditional views on environmental policy?
  • Environmental justice challenges traditional views on environmental policy by highlighting that policies often fail to consider the unique impacts on marginalized communities. It calls for an inclusive approach that involves these communities in decision-making processes. By doing so, it seeks to ensure that all people, regardless of their background, have a say in how their environments are protected or exploited.
• Discuss the relationship between environmental racism and the principles of environmental justice.
  • Environmental racism is a critical issue within the broader framework of environmental justice. It refers to how communities of color are often subjected to greater environmental hazards due to systemic inequities in policy-making and industrial practices. Environmental justice advocates seek to rectify these injustices by promoting equitable distribution of resources and ensuring that marginalized voices are included in environmental governance.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of grassroots movements in promoting environmental justice and influencing policy change.
  • Grassroots movements have proven to be highly effective in promoting environmental justice by raising awareness about local issues, mobilizing community action, and influencing policy change. These movements often highlight specific cases of injustice, such as toxic waste sites or pollution exposure, which resonate with broader audiences. By engaging directly with affected communities and building coalitions, they can leverage political pressure that leads to substantial changes in both local and national environmental policies.

Related terms

Environmental Racism: A form of discrimination where communities of color are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards due to the placement of toxic waste facilities and industrial polluters in their neighborhoods.

Sustainability: The practice of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often incorporating social equity into environmental policies.

Green Gentrification: The process where urban renewal and environmental improvements lead to increased property values and living costs, often displacing low-income residents.