Exam 2: Sustainability and Human Values

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Environmental justice is the right of every citizen,regardless of age,race,gender,social class,or other factors,to adequate protection from environmental hazards.While in principle this seems like an obvious fundamental human right in an ethical society,there are many reasons why the goals of environmental justice are or have been difficult to accomplish.
(1)Though many studies indicate that low-income and minority communities are more likely than others to have chemical plants,hazardous waste facilities,sanitary landfills,and incinerators located within their boundaries,such communities often have limited involvement in the political process and may not even be aware of their exposure to increased levels of pollutants.
(2)Because people in low-income communities frequently lack access to sufficient health care,they may not be treated adequately for exposure to environmental contaminants.
(3)While the high incidence of certain health conditions (such as asthma)in many minority communities may be caused or exacerbated by exposure to environmental pollutants,few studies have examined how environmental pollutants interact with other socioeconomic factors to cause health problems.Currently,we have little scientific evidence showing to what extent a polluted environment is responsible for the disproportionate health problems of poor and minority communities.

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As defined by the United Nations,sustainable development is economic growth that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.This type of development thus implies three interlinked ideas:
(1)sustainable development can only occur within the limits of the environment so all development decisions should be such that they do not harm the environment or deplete natural resources
(2)development decisions should be economically viable ones that consider all costs,including long-term environmental and societal costs
(3)development decisions should be socially equitable decisions that reflect needs of society and ensure costs and benefits are shared equally by all groups