Environmental

Sustainability
and Human
Values
Topic 2
Environmental Justice
Module 7
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Define environmental
justice.
2. What is environmental
justice and which
communities are exposed to
a disproportionate share of
environmental hazards?
Environmental Justice
• Every citizen has the right to adequate protection
from environmental hazards

• Low-income communities/minorities are more likely to

be in polluted areas, and near landfills, toxic waste
facilities, etc.
Environmental Justice

A children’s playground
overlooks a pulp mill
Poor minority
neighborhoods often have
the most polluted and
degraded environments.
Photographed in Kingsport, Tennessee
Environmental Justice
• Every citizen has the right to adequate protection
from environmental hazards

• Low-income communities/minorities are more likely to

be in polluted areas, and near landfills, toxic waste
facilities, etc.
• Tend to have lower access to health care
• Rights of the poor and disenfranchised vs. the rights of
rich and powerful
Environmental Justice
• Environmental justice is a fundamental human
right in an ethical society.
• In response to these concerns, a growing
environmental justice movement has emerged at
the grassroots level as a strong motivator for
change.
• advocates of environmental justice point out that
industrialized countries are obligated to help less-
developed countries cope with climate change.