Environmental justice is a social movement and principle focused on the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies
. It addresses the disproportionate exposure of marginalized and low-income communities to environmental harms such as hazardous waste, pollution, and resource extraction, from which these communities often do not benefit
. Key aspects of environmental justice include:
- Distributive justice: Equitable distribution of environmental risks and benefits, ensuring no group bears an unfair share of environmental burdens
- Procedural justice: Fair and meaningful participation of all people in environmental decision-making processes
- Recognition justice: Acknowledging oppression and differences within affected communities to ensure their voices and rights are respected
The movement originated in the United States during the 1980s, influenced by the civil rights movement, and has since expanded globally to include issues such as environmental racism, gender, LGBTQ rights, Indigenous land rights, and international environmental inequalities
. It is closely linked to public health, as marginalized communities face greater risks from pollution and climate change-related hazards, which contribute to health disparities like asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases
. Environmental justice also involves legal and policy efforts to protect vulnerable communities, promote sustainable development, and uphold the human right to a healthy environment
. It is a multidisciplinary approach combining human rights, rule of law, environmental science, and social justice to ensure that environmental benefits and burdens are shared fairly and that affected communities have agency in decisions impacting their environment and health
. In summary, environmental justice seeks to eliminate environmental inequalities by ensuring all people have equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to environmental benefits, with active participation in environmental governance
