雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'environmental justice' emerged in the 1980s, driven by evidence that marginalized communities disproportionately bear the burden of pollution and hazardous waste. Scholars argue that this disparity is not accidental but results from systemic inequalities in land-use planning and regulatory enforcement. For instance, studies in the United States have shown that toxic facilities are more likely to be sited in low-income neighborhoods and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. This pattern persists despite decades of environmental legislation, suggesting that procedural mechanisms alone are insufficient. To address this, advocates propose integrating equity assessments into policy-making and ensuring meaningful public participation from affected groups. Such reforms aim not merely to redistribute risks but to transform the underlying power structures that perpetuate environmental harm.