雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

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.