Environmental Justice: An Outlook

Abstract

Environmental justice has emerged as a central theme in contemporary global environmentalism since the 1970s. Environmental justice has become an essential counterpoint to conventional environmentalism, focusing on the connection between social equity and environmental concerns. It highlights how marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation and advocates for their inclusion in environmental policymaking. This movement seeks to address not only ecological concerns but also the social, political, and economic realities that shape environmental harm and benefit distribution. Environmental justice emphasizes collective experiences of injustice and aims to empower affected communities to achieve self-determination. It broadens the scope of environmentalism to include everyday issues affecting human life, such as housing and employment and seeks to redistribute the loads of environmental harm more equitably. Despite the absence of a universally accepted explanation of environmental justice, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) characterizes it as ensuring fair treatment and significant involvement of all people in environmental decision-making. The movement demands a transformative perspective that integrates environmental protection with social justice, advocating for a holistic understanding of justice that encompasses both human and non-human well-being. Overall, the discussions surrounding intrinsic value, environmental ethics, and justice reveal a complex interplay of philosophical perspectives and practical considerations, underscoring the need for inclusive and equitable approaches to addressing environmental challenges.