Environmental Justice

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental justice is the "fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work."

In the U.S., environmental justice as a movement is mainly focused on communities of color and low income, which are disproportionately affected by environmental problems. Toxic facilities such as hazardous waste dumps, chemical plants, or coal-fired facilities are often built...