The concept of environmental justice emerged in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Here’s a breakdown of its origins and globalization:

Origins in the US:

• Environmental Racism: The initial focus of environmental justice was on environmental racism. Communities of color, particularly Black and Hispanic communities, were disproportionately burdened by pollution and environmental hazards. This was due to factors like:
  • Siting of Polluting Facilities: Industrial facilities and waste dumps were often located in low-income communities and communities of color, exposing residents to higher levels of pollution.
  • Lack of Political Power: These communities often lacked the political power to prevent such placement or demand cleanup efforts.

The Civil Rights Movement:

• The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s provided a foundation for the environmental justice movement. It highlighted the connection between race, social justice, and environmental quality.

Landmark Cases:

• Several landmark cases in the US helped solidify the concept of environmental justice. These cases focused on discriminatory siting of facilities and lack of community involvement in environmental decision-making.

Globalization of Environmental Justice:

• From Local to Global: The environmental justice movement has since spread across the globe. Communities worldwide are facing similar issues of environmental racism and unequal distribution of environmental burdens.

Global Concerns:

• Indigenous Communities: Indigenous communities are often disproportionately impacted by resource extraction and development projects that damage their lands and livelihoods.
• Developing Nations: Developing countries can be targeted by developed nations as dumping grounds for hazardous waste, further exacerbating environmental injustice.

International Recognition:

• The concept of environmental justice has gained international recognition through various environmental treaties and declarations. For example, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) emphasized the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment for all.

Challenges of Globalization:

• While the movement has become global, there are challenges. Differing social, political, and economic contexts across countries require diverse approaches to environmental justice struggles.
• Building a unified global movement requires international collaboration and solidarity.

The Future of Environmental Justice:

• The environmental justice movement continues to evolve, tackling new challenges like climate change and its unequal impacts.
• It emphasizes community empowerment, promoting citizen participation in environmental decision-making and advocating for policies that ensure a just and sustainable world for all.

In conclusion, the concept of environmental justice emerged in the US as a response to environmental racism. It has since become a global movement advocating for a future where everyone has the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.