Integrating environmental justice into applied ecology research: Somebody else's problem?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Social Justice Studies
• Applied Ecology

Background:

• Environmental injustice manifests as resource inequity, toxin exposure, and knowledge gaps regarding unsustainable practices.
• Ecological processes driving environmental injustice are documented, but the human dimension and co-production of research are often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the integration of environmental processes and social justice issues in ecological scholarship over the past 15 years.
• To identify themes, research gaps, and opportunities at the intersection of environmental science and social justice.

Main Methods:

• A literature review of research published in the Ecological Society of America's journals over the last 15 years.
• Search terms focused on environmental justice, resource access, toxin exposure, and community impacts.

Main Results:

• Identified articles addressing environmental justice, resource access, and exposure to environmental hazards and pollutants.
• Highlighted significant gaps in integrating natural science with social justice topics.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for stronger interdisciplinary knowledge integration.
• Co-production of research with community stakeholders and researchers is essential for advancing climate justice and global environmental sustainability.