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.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es un argumento clave planteado por los críticos de las reformas procesales en la justicia ambiental?
A. A) La participación comunitaria conduce inevitablemente a mejores resultados ambientales.
B. B) Dichas reformas pueden ser superficiales si las disparidades fundamentales de poder permanecen sin abordarse.
C. C) Las instalaciones de residuos peligrosos están, de hecho, distribuidas de manera bastante equitativa entre todas las comunidades.
D. D) El conocimiento local generalmente no es fiable para identificar riesgos ambientales.
✅ 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