ISSUE № 3, APR 2017
6
Thinking Environmental Justice
Every breath of air we breathe, every step we take, and every space we physically occupy is
our environment. It’s where we work, play, eat, and live our lives. This said environment can
be argued as one of the most detrimental parts of our lives and society and this is why we must
learn to care for our environment. Environmental Justice (EJ) is defined as being fair and reasonable which im-
plies fairness and equality for our physical surrounding and those who live in it.
Environmental Injustice can occur in examples ranging from villagers exposed to radioactivity to complex is-
sues where minorities and those on a lower socioeconomic prong are heavily affected by those with the means;
as their actions widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Or it can manifest itself via examples where a worker is relieved of his
duties for questioning the sanitation and unsafe working conditions of his job for which he was already underpaid.
Consistent non attention to the issues of EJ does matter, as it does influence the power of choice and access in terms of our daily lives,
our living situations, our families, and opportunities afforded. It determines what type of head start future generations will have in rela-
tion to co-existing groups of people. EJ needs to address many issues including the rampant deterioration of air and water quality, the
effects of pesticides, and the effects of deforestation, the use of GMO to name a few. The question remains, are we noticing the repercus-
sions of our actions and whose responsibility is it to ensure EJ is approached sensibly ? Is it enough to just point fingers at mega-
corporations and or an inattentive global government? Can we expect those who stand the least to benefit from ensuring EJ is occurring
to lead the call for improvement?
Strength in numbers seems to be a successful theme when discussing any kind of injustice. The Civil Rights Movement is a great exam-
ple of group action where injustice was addressed, even though the journey was long, hard and perhaps still required. As individuals
though our very principles should be able direct us knowingly to where Environmental Injustice is occurring. The next progressive step
to stamp it out may well start from within our own consciousness and the need to keep educated. Nathaniel Luke
Works Cited A. Hornberg, J. R. McNeill, & J. Martinez-Alier (Eds.), Rethinking Environmental History: World-systems History
and Global Environmental Change.
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