The concept of 'environmental justice' has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1980s, when it primarily addressed the disproportionate burden of pollution borne by minority and low-income communities in the United States. Over time, the framework has expanded to encompass global dimensions, including climate change impacts on developing nations and the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. Scholars argue that environmental justice now requires a multidimensional approach, integrating social equity, ecological sustainability, and economic viability. However, critics contend that the broadening of the term risks diluting its original focus on racial and class disparities, potentially undermining targeted policy interventions. Despite this debate, the core principle remains: no community should bear an unjust share of environmental harms, and all populations deserve equitable access to environmental benefits and decision-making processes.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es una preocupación principal planteada por los críticos respecto a la evolución de la justicia ambiental?
A. El término se ha vuelto demasiado estrechamente enfocado en las disparidades raciales.
B. B) La expansión del concepto puede debilitar su énfasis original en desigualdades sociales específicas.
C. C) La justicia ambiental ahora ignora el impacto del cambio climático en las naciones en desarrollo.
D. D) El marco no ha logrado incorporar consideraciones económicas.
✅ 正确答案
B) The expansion of the concept may weaken its original emphasis on specific social inequalities.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first