The concept of 'environmental justice' has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1980s, when it was primarily associated with the disproportionate exposure of minority and low-income communities to environmental hazards. Initially, research focused on documenting these inequities, such as the siting of toxic waste facilities. However, contemporary scholarship has expanded the framework to include broader issues of climate change vulnerability, access to green spaces, and the unequal distribution of environmental benefits. This shift reflects a recognition that environmental risks and resources are not merely technical or ecological matters but are deeply intertwined with social, economic, and political structures. Consequently, policy interventions have moved from a narrow focus on remediation to proactive strategies that aim to integrate equity considerations into urban planning and resource management, thereby addressing the root causes of environmental disparities rather than just their symptoms.
❓ 文章によると、環境正義の範囲は時間とともにどのように変化してきましたか？
A. A) それは有害廃棄物の処分場問題への対応から、気候変動への適応のみに焦点を移してきた。
B. B) それは、危険への不平等な曝露に関する懸念から、脆弱性や環境上の利益へのアクセスといったより広範な問題へと拡大してきた。
C. C) 社会的公平性への関心が薄れ、技術的な解決策に重点が置かれるようになった。
D. D) 焦点を少数派コミュニティに絞り、低所得層を除外している。
✅ 正确答案
B) It has expanded from concerns about unequal exposure to hazards to include broader issues of vulnerability and access to environmental benefits.
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