Unit 4: Environmental Justice
This unit will discuss how prejudice throughout the world can form the basis for environmental injustice. In all walks of life, environmental justice strives to provide equal and fair treatment for all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 9 hours.
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- define environmental justice;
- explain the factors that drive environmental prejudice;
- examine examples of environmental injustice from different parts of the world;
- formulate links between the human rights movement and environmental justice;
- identify major changes brought about by environmental rights litigation;
- examine environmental management strategies; and
- identify the goals of the environmental rights movement.
- define environmental justice;
4.1: Environmental Justice
Read this definition of environmental justice according to the EPA.
Read this analysis of Plato and his effect on the concept of justice.
Watch this video, which outlines the principles of environmental and social justice, and includes an in-depth analysis of how Machiavellian movements influence the decisions made in society. The video's introduction takes several minutes, but stick with it. How do you think our concepts of environmental justice change with economic pressures? For example, do you believe that in times of positive economic growth we allow more thought and money to be applied to the environment?
Read this article, which discusses the ways discrimination, oppression, and internalized oppression can affect individuals or groups, and, in turn, communities. It then goes on to discuss how these issues may be addressed and resolved. As you read the text, what do you think is the biggest driver of prejudice? And do you believe society as a whole is getting better or worse at facing the problem?
Read this article, which discusses what some think was the starting point for the environmental injustice movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. went to Memphis in 1968 to address the people dealing with a Sanitation strike. The black Americans in Memphis were subjected to environmental injustice by there being a double standard regarding environmental issues in the city. This was the last speech he gave, and was shot the next day in Memphis.
Environmental issues abound but can one person make a difference, or does it take the masses? Did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have as much effect on the future of the environmental injustice movement as some say he did?
This article presents various reasons behind environmental prejudice and injustice, though it suggests we lack definitive explanations.
Read the 17 principles of environmental justice, drafted by the delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit held on October 24-27, 1991, in Washington, DC. The 17 principles help to define reasons behind environmental injustices, and what the summit aimed to eradicate. How likely is it that these goals will become a reality and in what time frame?
After you have finished watching/reading, reflect on the following questions. Post your thoughts on the discussion forum and reply to your classmates’ posts.
How can governments tackle the issues of environmental injustices? What can we do internationally? Brainstorm some ideas for what would work in your community and what has not worked well in the past.
4.2: Environmental Injustices throughout the World
Watch this video, which begins with a broad-brush look at environmental injustices across the U.S. and the globe, and then narrows focus to discuss specific environmental issues within Fall River and New Bedford, MA. As the video presents many issues of potential health degradation, attempt to link this favor for economic development over environmental health with one of the four environmental ethics we looked at in Unit 2.
Watch this video. How do you believe the demographics of the local community allow for the presence of the Chevron facility? Do you think such a facility would be present in a predominantly white Californian community?
4.3: The Environmental Rights Movement
This paper provides detailed links between human rights and environmental rights, and will help you to understand how environmental issues affect the goals of the WHO with respect to health issues and human rights.
This article uses the 1972 Stockholm United Nations Conference on the Human Environment as a starting point for its discussion on environmental and human rights. This is the whole declaration made at that conference, this page also includes a link to a narrative of all 26 Principles. What did Principle I of the Stockholm Declaration state? How does this Principle cross over into human rights?
The text summarizes types of environmental litigation cases and explains how the lawsuit process works. Do you believe it is important to have strict enforcement of the laws to ensure compliance?
Read this chapter. From what you've read so far, can you link any changes in environmental management with major events which have shaped our attitudes towards the environment?
The paper proposes how various organizations, individuals, and other non-governmental bodies can help secure the future for our environment. As you read the report, aim to identify the key ideas that you believe would make the biggest difference.
Watch this video, in which Majora Carter gives a touching lecture on growing up as a poor child in Bronx who is fighting for environmental justice. These individuals and groups are the future of alleviating environmental injustice in poor neighborhoods. She talks about all of the progress that is being made in her location.
Unit 4 Assessment
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.