雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'environmental justice' emerged in the 1980s, primarily in response to the disproportionate placement of hazardous waste facilities in low-income and minority communities. Scholars argue that such siting practices reflect systemic inequalities, where marginalized groups bear a greater burden of environmental risks while benefiting less from industrial development. This phenomenon is not merely accidental but often results from zoning policies, lack of political representation, and economic pressures. Environmental justice advocates therefore call for equitable distribution of environmental benefits and harms, as well as meaningful participation of affected communities in decision-making processes. Recent studies have expanded this framework to include global dimensions, examining how developed nations export toxic waste to developing countries, raising ethical questions about transboundary responsibility and the right to a healthy environment for all.