雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'environmental justice' emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the disproportionate burden of environmental hazards borne by marginalized communities. Research has consistently shown that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are more likely to be situated near polluting facilities, waste sites, and other sources of environmental degradation. This disparity is not merely a matter of coincidence but is often the result of historical zoning policies, economic inequalities, and systemic exclusion from decision-making processes. Scholars argue that achieving environmental sustainability requires not only technological innovation but also a fundamental reallocation of power and resources. Without addressing these underlying social inequities, environmental policies risk perpetuating existing injustices, even while aiming to protect the planet. Thus, the movement for environmental justice calls for a holistic approach that integrates ecological concerns with human rights and social equity.