7.4 Environmental justice

Environmental justice is a crucial concept in green theories, addressing the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits. It emphasizes fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental decision-making, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income.

The environmental justice movement emerged in the 1980s, highlighting systemic inequities in environmental policies. It connects social justice with ecological concerns, advocating for equitable protection from environmental hazards and equal access to environmental resources for marginalized communities.

Environmental justice definition

• Environmental justice refers to the fair and equitable treatment of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or other factors, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies
• Encompasses the idea that no group should bear a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, or commercial operations or policies
• Aims to ensure that everyone has the right to live, work, and play in a clean, safe, and healthy environment

Equitable treatment and protection

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• Equitable treatment means that all individuals and communities are treated fairly and provided equal protection under environmental laws and regulations, regardless of their socioeconomic status or demographic characteristics
• Involves addressing the disproportionate environmental burdens often faced by low-income communities and communities of color (toxic waste sites, polluting industries)
• Requires the fair distribution of environmental benefits and resources, such as access to green spaces, clean air and water, and sustainable infrastructure

Meaningful involvement in decisions

• Meaningful involvement refers to the active participation and engagement of affected communities in the decision-making processes related to environmental issues that impact their lives and well-being
• Involves providing communities with timely and accessible information, opportunities for public comment and input, and the ability to influence decisions that affect their environment and health
• Requires building trust, transparency, and accountability between decision-makers and affected communities to ensure that their concerns and perspectives are heard and addressed

Environmental justice movement

• The environmental justice movement emerged in the 1980s in response to the growing recognition of the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by low-income communities and communities of color in the United States
• Rooted in the civil rights movement and the principles of social justice, the environmental justice movement seeks to address the systemic inequities and discrimination in environmental decision-making and policy
• Brings together a diverse coalition of community activists, environmental organizations, civil rights groups, and academic researchers to advocate for environmental justice and equity

Origins and history

• The environmental justice movement gained national attention in 1982 with the protests against the proposed siting of a hazardous waste landfill in Warren County, North Carolina, a predominantly African American community
• The United Church of Christ's Commission for Racial Justice released a groundbreaking report in 1987 titled "Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States," which documented the disproportionate concentration of hazardous waste sites in communities of color
• The First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, held in 1991, brought together over 300 environmental justice leaders from across the country and resulted in the adoption of the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice

Key events and milestones

• The signing of Executive Order 12898 by President Bill Clinton in 1994, which directed federal agencies to address environmental justice in their programs, policies, and activities
• The establishment of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) in 1993 to provide independent advice and recommendations to the EPA on environmental justice issues
• The passage of the Environmental Justice Act of 2017 in California, which requires state agencies to incorporate environmental justice considerations into their decision-making processes and programs

Environmental racism and discrimination

• Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate exposure of communities of color to environmental hazards, pollution, and degradation, as well as the systemic exclusion of these communities from environmental decision-making processes
• Discrimination in environmental policy and practice can take many forms, including the intentional targeting of communities of color for the siting of polluting industries and toxic waste facilities, the unequal enforcement of environmental regulations, and the lack of access to environmental benefits and resources

Disproportionate impacts on communities

• Low-income communities and communities of color often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental hazards and pollution, such as exposure to lead, pesticides, and industrial chemicals
• These communities are more likely to live in proximity to polluting industries, hazardous waste sites, and other sources of environmental contamination (petrochemical plants, refineries, landfills)
• The cumulative impacts of multiple environmental stressors can have severe consequences for the health and well-being of these communities, including higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other chronic diseases

Examples of environmental injustice

• The Flint water crisis in Michigan, where cost-cutting measures led to the contamination of the city's water supply with lead, disproportionately affecting the predominantly African American and low-income residents
• The siting of toxic waste facilities in predominantly Hispanic communities in the San Joaquin Valley of California, resulting in elevated rates of birth defects, respiratory illnesses, and other health problems
• The disproportionate exposure of Indigenous communities to the impacts of resource extraction and development, such as the contamination of water sources and the destruction of sacred sites by oil and gas drilling, mining, and pipeline projects

Principles of environmental justice

• The principles of environmental justice, as articulated by the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in 1991, provide a framework for understanding and addressing the systemic inequities and discrimination in environmental policy and practice
• These principles emphasize the fundamental right of all individuals to a clean, safe, and healthy environment, as well as the need for meaningful involvement and self-determination of affected communities in environmental decision-making processes

Fair treatment and meaningful involvement

• The principle of fair treatment requires that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, or commercial operations or policies
• Meaningful involvement means that affected communities have the right to participate as equal partners at every level of decision-making, including needs assessment, planning, implementation, enforcement, and evaluation
• This principle emphasizes the importance of building the capacity of communities to engage effectively in decision-making processes and to hold decision-makers accountable for their actions

Right to clean and safe environment

• The principle of the right to a clean and safe environment asserts that all individuals have the fundamental right to live, work, and play in an environment that is free from contamination, pollution, and other hazards that threaten their health and well-being
• This principle recognizes the interdependence of ecological and human health and the need to protect and preserve the natural environment for the benefit of current and future generations
• It also emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of environmental degradation and inequity, such as unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, and the need for a just transition to a more sustainable and equitable economy

Environmental justice in policy

• Incorporating environmental justice considerations into policy and decision-making processes is critical for addressing the systemic inequities and discrimination in environmental policy and practice
• This requires a proactive and holistic approach that considers the cumulative impacts of environmental hazards and pollution on affected communities, as well as the need for meaningful involvement and self-determination of these communities in decision-making processes

Incorporating justice in decision-making

• Incorporating environmental justice into decision-making processes involves assessing the potential impacts of proposed policies, programs, and projects on low-income communities and communities of color, and taking steps to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any disproportionate impacts
• This requires the use of tools such as health impact assessments, cumulative impact analyses, and community engagement processes to ensure that the voices and perspectives of affected communities are heard and addressed
• It also involves the development of policies and programs that prioritize the needs and concerns of these communities, such as targeted investments in green infrastructure, pollution reduction, and community-based environmental monitoring and enforcement

Addressing cumulative impacts

• Addressing cumulative impacts refers to the consideration of the combined effects of multiple environmental stressors on the health and well-being of affected communities, rather than evaluating each stressor in isolation
• This requires a more comprehensive and holistic approach to environmental decision-making that takes into account the complex interactions between environmental, social, and economic factors that contribute to environmental inequities
• It also involves the development of policies and programs that prioritize the reduction of cumulative impacts on overburdened communities, such as the establishment of environmental justice screening tools and the targeting of enforcement and compliance efforts in these communities

Environmental justice and sustainability

• Environmental justice and sustainability are closely interrelated concepts that emphasize the need for a more equitable and ecologically sustainable approach to environmental policy and practice
• Incorporating environmental justice considerations into sustainability efforts can help to ensure that the benefits of sustainable development are distributed fairly and that the costs and impacts of unsustainable practices are not borne disproportionately by marginalized communities

Intersection with sustainable development

• The intersection of environmental justice and sustainable development highlights the need for a more holistic and integrated approach to addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges
• This involves recognizing the interdependence of ecological and human well-being and the need to balance the protection of natural resources with the promotion of social equity and economic opportunity
• It also involves the development of policies and programs that prioritize the needs and concerns of marginalized communities, such as the promotion of green jobs and the development of community-based renewable energy projects

Balancing equity and ecology

• Balancing equity and ecology in environmental policy and practice requires a recognition of the complex trade-offs and synergies between social and environmental goals
• This involves the development of policies and programs that prioritize the protection of both human health and ecological integrity, such as the promotion of sustainable land use practices and the conservation of biodiversity
• It also involves the meaningful involvement of affected communities in decision-making processes and the equitable distribution of the benefits and costs of environmental policies and programs

Global environmental justice

• Global environmental justice refers to the application of environmental justice principles and practices at the international level, recognizing the transboundary nature of many environmental challenges and the need for a more equitable and sustainable approach to global environmental governance
• This involves addressing the disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on marginalized communities and countries, as well as the need for a more equitable distribution of the benefits and costs of global environmental policies and programs

Transboundary impacts and responsibility

• Transboundary impacts refer to the environmental and social consequences of activities that cross national borders, such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change
• Addressing transboundary impacts requires a recognition of the shared responsibility of all countries to protect the global environment and to promote sustainable development
• It also involves the development of international agreements and institutions that promote cooperation and accountability in addressing transboundary environmental challenges, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity

North-South divide in environmental burdens

• The North-South divide in environmental burdens refers to the disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on developing countries and marginalized communities in the Global South
• This divide is rooted in the historical legacies of colonialism and the unequal distribution of power and resources in the global economy, which have contributed to the exploitation of natural resources and the externalization of environmental costs by developed countries
• Addressing the North-South divide requires a recognition of the common but differentiated responsibilities of all countries to address global environmental challenges, as well as the need for a more equitable distribution of the benefits and costs of global environmental policies and programs

Environmental justice activism

• Environmental justice activism involves the mobilization of affected communities and their allies to advocate for more equitable and sustainable environmental policies and practices
• This activism takes many forms, including grassroots organizing, public education and outreach, legal advocacy, and direct action

Grassroots organizing and advocacy

• Grassroots organizing involves the mobilization of affected communities and their allies to advocate for environmental justice at the local, regional, and national levels
• This organizing often involves the development of community-based organizations and coalitions that can provide a platform for collective action and advocacy
• Grassroots advocacy can take many forms, including public testimony, letter-writing campaigns, and community-based participatory research

Strategies for achieving justice

• Strategies for achieving environmental justice involve a range of tactics and approaches, depending on the specific context and goals of the advocacy effort
• These strategies can include legal advocacy, such as filing lawsuits or administrative complaints to challenge discriminatory policies and practices
• They can also include direct action, such as protests, sit-ins, and other forms of non-violent civil disobedience to draw attention to environmental injustices and demand change
• Other strategies include public education and outreach, such as community forums and media campaigns, to raise awareness of environmental justice issues and build support for policy and practice changes

Challenges in environmental justice

• Despite the growing recognition of the importance of environmental justice, there are still significant challenges to achieving more equitable and sustainable environmental policies and practices
• These challenges include political and economic obstacles, as well as a lack of recognition and enforcement of environmental justice principles and practices

Political and economic obstacles

• Political obstacles to environmental justice include the influence of powerful industries and interest groups that benefit from the status quo and resist efforts to promote more equitable and sustainable policies and practices
• Economic obstacles include the lack of resources and capacity of many affected communities to effectively advocate for their interests and the externalization of environmental costs by polluting industries and governments
• These obstacles can make it difficult to achieve meaningful policy and practice changes, even in the face of compelling evidence of environmental injustices

Lack of recognition and enforcement

• Another challenge to achieving environmental justice is the lack of recognition and enforcement of environmental justice principles and practices by government agencies and other decision-makers
• This can include a lack of meaningful community involvement in decision-making processes, as well as a failure to adequately consider the cumulative impacts of environmental hazards and pollution on affected communities
• It can also include a lack of enforcement of existing environmental regulations and a failure to hold polluters accountable for their actions

Future of environmental justice

• The future of environmental justice will depend on the ability of affected communities, advocates, and policymakers to address the ongoing challenges and obstacles to achieving more equitable and sustainable environmental policies and practices
• This will require a continued commitment to grassroots organizing and advocacy, as well as the development of new strategies and approaches to promote environmental justice at the local, national, and international levels

Integrating justice in environmental governance

• Integrating environmental justice considerations into environmental governance will require a fundamental shift in the way that environmental policies and practices are developed and implemented
• This will involve a greater emphasis on community involvement and self-determination in decision-making processes, as well as the use of tools and approaches that prioritize the needs and concerns of marginalized communities
• It will also require a more holistic and integrated approach to environmental policy and practice that recognizes the interdependence of ecological and human well-being and the need for a just transition to a more sustainable and equitable economy

Advancing equity in a changing climate

• Advancing environmental justice in the context of a changing climate will require a recognition of the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities and countries, as well as the need for a more equitable distribution of the benefits and costs of climate policies and programs
• This will involve the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies that prioritize the needs and concerns of vulnerable communities, such as the promotion of community-based renewable energy projects and the protection of indigenous land rights
• It will also require a more equitable and inclusive approach to global climate governance that recognizes the common but differentiated responsibilities of all countries to address climate change and promote sustainable development