Environmental Justice: Where It Has Been, and Where It Might Be Going

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sociology
• Public Policy

Background:

• Environmental justice (EJ) is a complex, multidisciplinary field encompassing scholarship, social movements, and policy.
• The field's diverse methodologies and academic disciplines present challenges for comprehensive review.
• EJ activism operates with a dual focus on coalition-building and institutional engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore key facets of environmental justice activism.
• To analyze the effectiveness of EJ claims within legal and regulatory frameworks.
• To survey scientific research influenced by environmental justice principles.

Main Methods:

• Review of environmental justice activism strategies.
• Analysis of case outcomes in courts and regulatory agencies.
• Survey of scientific literature impacted by EJ.

Main Results:

• EJ activism demonstrates a "coalitional" and "inside-outside" approach, forming alliances while engaging institutions.
• EJ claims show varied success rates in courts and regulatory bodies.
• Scientific research increasingly incorporates EJ perspectives.

Conclusions:

• Future EJ efforts require adapting coalition strategies and addressing fragmentation.
• Understanding the historical roots of environmental injustice is crucial.
• Strengthening the integration of the EJ lens in research and policy is recommended.