Environmental Justice (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Environmental Justice

• Environmental justice refers to the right of all people to live in a pollution-free environment and to have equitable (i.e. fair and equal) access to natural resources

  • This is regardless of issues such as race, gender, socio-economic status or nationality

Inequalities and disparities

• Inequalities in income, race, gender and cultural identity within and between different societies lead to disparities in access to water, food and energy

• For example:

  • Some communities cannot afford reliable access to clean water or electricity

  • Privatisation of water sources can make this issue worse, leading to higher costs and unequal access

  • In India, rural communities often struggle to afford electricity, limiting job opportunities and opportunities for development

Environmental injustice

• Environmental injustice refers to the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits, often due to factors such as race, class, or other social factors

  • It includes situations where marginalised communities experience a greater number of environmental hazards or lack access to environmental goods and services

• At the local level, environmental injustice can occur in various ways, such as:

  • The presence of hazardous facilities such as landfills, incinerators, or industrial plants in or near to low-income or minority neighbourhoods

  • Pollution hotspots mainly harm poorer communities, causing health problems

  • Lack of access to clean water, safe housing, or green spaces in economically disadvantaged areas

• Environmental injustice is not limited to local contexts but also occurs on a more global scale, such as:

  • Exploitation of natural resources in developing countries by multinational corporations, leading to environmental degradation and displacement of Indigenous communities

  • Export of general or hazardous waste from wealthier nations to poorer countries, exposing vulnerable populations to health risks

  • Climate change impacts disproportionately affecting low-income countries and communities with limited resources to adapt or mitigate

• In general, environmental injustice increases existing social inequalities and undermines human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations

  • It often leads to negative health outcomes, economic disparities and challenges to the well-being and resilience of the communities affected

Application of sustainability and environmental justice

• The principles of sustainability and environmental justice can be applied across various scales, from individual actions and decision-making to national policies to global policy frameworks

Operating scales

• Individual scale:

  • Personal actions greatly affect the environment

  • Everyday choices and behaviours can shape environmental outcomes and contribute to broader patterns of consumption and resource depletion

  • Choices like reducing waste, saving energy and supporting eco-friendly products can make a difference

    • For example, choosing reusable products, using public transport and backing local green projects can help create a more sustainable world

• Global scale:

  • International efforts like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) tackle major environmental issues

  • By working together and being more accountable for their actions, countries can protect the environment and work towards removing environmental injustices

    • For example, SDG 13 focuses on fighting climate change and building a greener future for everyone