Environmental problems do not affect everyone equally. Environmental injustice occurs whenever innocent people bear disproportionate environmental risks, have unequal access to goods like clean air, or have unequal voice in imposition of environmental risks. Most minorities and poor people are victims of environmental injustice, either because of their increased health risks or because of the way their rights are limited, even in a democracy. 40,000 people die each year from pesticides that are mostly manufactured in the U.S., but banned in the U.S.and used abroad. And even in the U.S., 80 % o ... More

Environmental problems do not affect everyone equally. Environmental injustice occurs whenever innocent people bear disproportionate environmental risks, have unequal access to goods like clean air, or have unequal voice in imposition of environmental risks. Most minorities and poor people are victims of environmental injustice, either because of their increased health risks or because of the way their rights are limited, even in a democracy. 40,000 people die each year from pesticides that are mostly manufactured in the U.S., but banned in the U.S.and used abroad. And even in the U.S., 80 % of all hazardous‐waste facilities are sited in minority neighborhoods. But should everyone have equal rights to breathe clean air or drink clean water, independent of income? This book argues “yes.” Each chapter gives a detailed analysis of how and why a particular environmental‐ justice (E.J.) value is threatened. The book discusses democracy, distributive justice, participative justice, equality, procedural justice, informed consent, duties to future generations, equity, paternalism, just compensation, moral heroism, and citizens's responsibilities for E.J. Using case studies focusing on offshore oil, Appalachian coal, California farmland, Louisiana hazardous facilities, Nevada nuclear waste dumps, exploitation of indigenous people, African oil drilling, workplace risks, and shipment of banned products to developing nations, the author shows how flawed scientific methods, flawed ethics, and flawed policy contribute to environmental injustice. The final two chapters argue for ordinary citizens's duties to fight against environmental injustice, and it suggests some strategies for doing so.