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Environmental Justice

Environmental justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens among all individuals and communities, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. It recognizes that marginalized and vulnerable populations often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution, degradation, and health risks.

Environmental Racism

Environmental racism, on the other hand, specifically focuses on the intersection of race and environmental injustice. It refers to the systemic and intentional targeting of communities of color for the siting of hazardous waste facilities, industrial pollution, and other environmentally harmful activities. Environmental racism perpetuates and reinforces existing racial inequalities by subjecting marginalized communities to higher levels of pollution and environmental hazards.

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While environmental justice encompasses a broader perspective of ensuring fairness and inclusivity in environmental decision-making, environmental racism highlights the discriminatory practices and policies that disproportionately affect communities of color. Both concepts are rooted in the recognition that environmental issues are not just matters of science and ecology, but also deeply intertwined with social, economic, and racial dynamics.

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