Environmental justice is the right of all people to live in a pollution-free environment and to have equitable access to natural resources, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status or nationality. In IB ESS, this is core SL and HL content in Subtopic 1.3: Sustainability.
Environmental justice connects environmental conditions with social inequality. Environmental benefits, such as clean water, green space and reliable energy, are not always distributed equally; nor are environmental burdens, such as pollution, waste disposal and climate-related hazards.
| Aspect | Environmental justice question |
|---|---|
| Distribution of harm | Are particular communities exposed to more pollution, environmental degradation or disaster risk? |
| Access to resources | Do all groups have equitable access to safe water, food, energy and healthy environments? |
| Decision-making | Can affected communities influence environmental policies and management decisions? |
| Responsibility | Are those causing environmental damage held responsible for its social and ecological costs? |
The mechanism often begins with existing inequality. Low-income or marginalized groups may have less political influence, limited access to legal support and fewer financial resources to relocate. Consequently, polluting industries or waste facilities may be concentrated near these communities, reinforcing both environmental and social disadvantage.
A named example is the Flint water crisis in Michigan, United States. After Flint changed its water source in 2014 without adequate corrosion control, lead contaminated drinking water. The predominantly Black, lower-income community experienced serious health risks, while residents’ concerns were initially dismissed. This demonstrates unequal exposure to pollution and unequal political power.
A common misconception is that environmental justice means only “protecting nature.” It specifically concerns the relationship between environmental quality, resource access, human rights and social equity. It therefore supports all three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic.
