Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 1

Environmental Justice

Name of Student

Institutional Affiliation
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 2

The fact that the concepts of justice, the environment, the environmental movement, and

race intersect is perplexing. Such a dynamic showcases that many issues mar the contemporary

world. Despite this fact, discussion of ecological dynamics from a sociological perspective is a

leeway into the increase in society's dedication to the fathom sustainability of the environment.

Week 1, for instance, explored ideas on environmental justice. Learning that human activity has

a direct impact on the natural state of the environment was helpful. While it is widely known that

people's actions adversely and positively affect the state of the immediate ecosystem, the

unwillingness to undertake necessary measures highlights the laxity of society. Based on week 1

readings, environmental justice entails integrating sociological concepts with the preservation

and sustainability practices. For instance, I learned that human activity in controlling population

growth is central in attaining positive outcomes in terms of preservation and conservation of the

environment. The key takeaway from underlying dynamics covered in week 1 readings is that

environmental justice has to be incorporated as a sociological topic to propagate society's

positive efforts.

As for the second week, the primary concept addressed was environmental movements.

The central idea in the readings covered pertained to efforts by the founders of most of these

movements that centered on advocacy. The drive to preserve and conserve the natural state of the

ecosystem is critical if the advocacy efforts yield positive outcomes. Learning that environmental

movements share foundational objectives and aim that drive their actions speaks into the need for

change and increased dedication to enhancing the environment's condition. Relating

contemporary environmental issues such as climate change and global warming shows why most

of these advocacy agencies are concerned about the future state. Commendable are prior

movements' efforts considering that their undertakings have outlined the measures that need to
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 3

be taken. The key takeaway from the week's readings is that most of the changes in

policymaking and commitment to environmental protection have been due to these movements.

It is notable and commendable that the passion and commitment of a group of people have the

possibility of encouraging changes in policy that, in turn, promote the conservation and

preservation of the natural environment.

The interaction of race and the environment is an additional idea that was explored during

week 3. According to the concepts generated, there is the compartmentalization of environmental

issues such as global warming and climate change. A majority of the historically marginalized

and underprivileged groups fathom that the environment's issues are to be addressed by the

traditionally superior white race. As much as this should not be the case, such a reality is

evidence of the high level of ignorance within the minority ethnic groups. The need to change

such rhetoric is high, and mass awareness serves as the most instrumental tool that should be

employed. On the same note, I learned that the world is diverse. The need to encourage advocacy

regardless of ethnic differences is a positive step towards encouraging commitment towards

conservation and protection practices. An additional takeaway from the weekly readings based

on the concept of week 3 is that racial differences should not serve as the medium that

undermines partisanship with environmental protection and conservation. There are different

viewpoints that are explored throughout the three weeks. Regardless of these varying

standpoints, they all manage to propose the rhetoric that environmental preservation and

conservation is a shared obligation that transcends racial differences and should intersect with

environmental justice.