09 Environmental Justice and Equity Free Online FlashCards

What does environmental justice examine?

Environmental justice examines how environmental harms and benefits are distributed, whose experiences and knowledge are recognized, and who influences decisions.

What does distributional justice assess?

Distributional justice asks whether environmental risks, resources, and benefits are shared fairly.

What does procedural justice require?

Procedural justice concerns whether affected people can obtain information, participate in decisions, and seek remedies.

What is recognition justice?

Recognition justice requires decision-makers to respect communities’ identities, needs, rights, and knowledge, including local and Indigenous knowledge.

What factors can shape environmental exposure and response?

Income, race, location, health, and access to political power can shape exposure to environmental harms and the ability to respond.

Why can multiple environmental hazards deepen inequality?

Disadvantaged communities may face multiple hazards while having fewer resources to avoid exposure or recover from harm.

Which environmental benefits may be unequally accessible?

Environmental inequality also includes unequal access to benefits such as reliable clean energy, safe drinking water, and parks.

What makes public participation meaningful?

Participation is meaningful when people receive timely, understandable information, have practical ways to contribute, and can see that their concerns are considered.

What barriers can prevent people from participating?

Language, meeting times, transportation, disability access, and limited technical resources can obstruct participation.

When should communities be involved in environmental decisions?

Participation should begin early enough to shape choices, rather than only explain a decision after it has been made.

What two forms of access support environmental accountability?

Environmental governance includes access to information and access to justice, allowing people to challenge decisions or seek remedies when laws or rights are violated.

What should officials assess when considering a waste facility location?

Before selecting a waste facility site, officials should assess existing pollution and health concerns and compare alternative sites.