The concept of 'environmental justice' has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1980s, when it was primarily associated with the disproportionate siting 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 air and water, the equitable distribution of environmental benefits such as parks and green spaces, and the inclusion of marginalized groups in environmental decision-making processes. Recent scholarship argues that achieving environmental justice requires not only procedural and distributive reforms but also a fundamental restructuring of the socio-economic systems that perpetuate environmental inequalities. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecological sustainability and social equity, suggesting that policies aimed at one cannot succeed without addressing the other. Consequently, contemporary environmental justice movements increasingly advocate for systemic change rather than isolated remediation efforts.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key argument made by recent scholarship on environmental justice?
A. A. Environmental justice should focus solely on the location of hazardous waste facilities.
B. B. Environmental justice can be achieved through isolated remediation efforts alone.
C. C. Ecological sustainability and social equity are fundamentally interconnected.
D. D. Marginalized groups should be excluded from environmental decision-making processes.
✅ 正确答案
C. Ecological sustainability and social equity are fundamentally interconnected.
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