Explain what is meant by the term environmental justice.

Answer:

Environmental justice encompasses the idea that all members of society should have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the decision making that might impact the environment. It also includes the idea of fair treatment, that no group (ethnic, religious socioeconomic) should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences of decisions or policies. Environmental justice is concerned with ensuring that the haves and have-nots both have a say in environmental policy and share the burdens of the consequences of those policies.