The concept of 'environmental justice' emerged in the late 20th century, primarily in response to the disproportionate placement of hazardous waste facilities in low-income and minority communities. Scholars argue that this inequity stems from systemic biases in policy-making and land-use planning, where marginalized groups often lack political representation and economic resources to resist such developments. Proponents of environmental justice advocate for a more inclusive approach, ensuring that all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status, have equal access to environmental benefits and protection from environmental harms. Recent studies indicate that integrating community voices into regulatory processes not only improves fairness but also enhances the effectiveness of environmental policies, as local knowledge often identifies risks and solutions overlooked by centralized authorities. However, critics caution that without addressing underlying power imbalances, procedural reforms may merely tokenize participation, leaving structural inequalities intact.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key argument made by critics of procedural reforms in environmental justice?
A. A) Community participation inevitably leads to better environmental outcomes.
B. B) Such reforms may be superficial if fundamental power disparities remain unaddressed.
C. C) Hazardous waste facilities are actually distributed fairly across all communities.
D. D) Local knowledge is generally unreliable for identifying environmental risks.
✅ 正确答案
B) Such reforms may be superficial if fundamental power disparities remain unaddressed.
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