雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'environmental justice' has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1980s, when it primarily addressed the disproportionate placement of hazardous waste facilities in low-income and minority communities. Over time, the term has broadened to encompass a wider range of issues, including access to clean water, air quality, and the unequal impacts of climate change. Scholars argue that environmental justice is not merely a matter of distribution, but also of procedural and recognition-based justice, meaning that affected communities must have a voice in decision-making processes and that their cultural and historical ties to the land must be respected. This expanded framework challenges traditional environmental policies that often prioritize economic efficiency over social equity, urging policymakers to adopt more inclusive approaches. However, critics note that translating these theoretical ideals into practice remains difficult, as institutional barriers and power imbalances persist, particularly in developing nations where environmental regulations are weaker and community participation is often limited.