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Environmental Justice (new topic, Feb 2021!)

Can we solve the climate crisis without confronting global inequities?

A recent study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA found that white residents in the USA produce more climate pollution than black or hispanic residents, but black and hispanic people are exposed to more air pollution.

And that is just the USA! Think about the global inequities in the "haves" and the "have nots".

And how are we going to lift people out of poverty without making the climate crisis even worse?

If you are a resident in a wealthy country, is it your responsibility to address both problems at once? And what would that look like in terms of national and international policy?




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Environmental Justice

Recent posts:

Elyass   2025-11-15 13:17:57 (Last post: 2025-11-18 19:54:47)
protect our planet

our planet is changing fast because of pollution and waste. if we all reduce trash and save energy. we can protect Earth for the future. small actions from everyone can make a big difference.

Neymar11bar   2025-11-18 19:54:47

I 100 percent agree with what your saying because its true that our planet is changing fast due to all the pollution and waste. I think that if we all took climate change seriously we could make a big difference because we did start climate change so we can also finish the ongoing increase in carbon dioxide. If we don't stop climate change we could be majorly affected as humans in the future and also affect other populations (Animals). All of our small actions can make a difference but only if we all corporate.

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aljoBOD   2025-05-18 20:25:57 (Last post: 2025-11-18 16:09:07)
Environmental Justice

Environmental justice means making sure that all people, and organisms, have equal access to a clean and healthy environment. Globally, low-income communities and communities of POC often are faced with higher exposure to pollution, limited access to clean water, and overall more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Environmental justice is about understanding the inequalities and impacts and working towards solutions and policies that protect both the planet and the people most affected by environmental harm. One thing I noticed from calculating my family's carbon footprint was that a lot of the emissions came from transportation and home. Although not much can be done about traveling via planes, I think installing solar panels and using public transportation or an electric vehicle can lessen CO2 emissions, ultimately leading to less pollution and a cleaner environment.

okoklala   2025-11-18 16:09:07

Very well said, and I completely agree with your definition of environmental justice. Developing countries are disproportionately impacted by climate change, facing greater impacts from extreme weather and health risks compared to already industrialized countries: the result of inequities deep rooted in systematic racism; POC communities have limited access to resources like you said, which is a right everyone has. However, these countries are the ones trying their utmosts to mitigate their carbon emissions. These nations with minimal contribution to the problem, are prioritizing efforts to develop climate-resilient infrastructure and try turning to renewable energy. However, what can be done, and how can they turn their country to cleaner energy while they are simultaneously trying to lift their people out of poverty?

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Fayaz   2025-11-17 13:14:55
Biology

Why is plastic bad for the environment

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Petra12   2024-10-22 22:32:49 (Last post: 2025-11-16 12:36:35)
Environment

I think we should start taking care of our planet by not throwing our trash on the floor and start recycling for a healthier environment.

Raheema   2025-11-15 20:46:01

I completely agree with this idea. People need to be more educated on the dangers of trash and pollution because, the CO2 emissions rates increase because of this simple cause. If people were to be more mindful on what they leave out into the environment, we as a community would be much closer to our goal of a healthier environment. I also think this concept directly aligns with the effects of food waste on pollution. It is dangerous how food decomposes down and releases methane. These two ideas share a common theme that people need to be careful of what they are leaving behind.

Elyass   2025-11-16 12:36:35

I agree with you. you are right we have to start cleaning the trash from the floor.we should clean the dirty places and make earth clean.for ourselves

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nawiBOD   2025-05-16 14:42:13 (Last post: 2025-11-15 00:30:54)
Electric Powered Transportation

We can promote environmental awareness by creating vehicles that are powered by electricity rather than gas. Similar to the electric car, we should copy this plan for 2035 for all forms of transportation to eventually move towards being powered by an alternative energy source. This could heavily decrease global warming's impact, as some CO2 is released into our atmosphere as a byproduct of gas-powered machinery. In addition the electric forms of transportation I speak of can also stop air pollution from causes health effects later in one's life.

SarayuR   2025-11-15 00:30:54

I think this could be a great solution. Fossil Fuels are one of the main contributors to global warming, and gas-powered cars are some of the main fossil fuel consumers. Every time we drive, we burn gasoline and release carbon dioxide into the air, which traps heat and makes climate change worse. Switching to cleaner options—like electric cars, buses, trains, biking, or even walking—would cut down the amount of emissions we produce every day. If more people chose these alternatives, we could lower pollution, improve air quality, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels altogether.

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SarayuR   2025-11-13 23:38:21
Access to recourses

Who gets to live in a safe, healthy neighborhood and who doesn't? Environmental justice research shows that low-income and minority communities often have less access to clean water, clean air, nutritious food, safe housing, and green spaces because of past discriminatory policies like redlining and underinvestment. According to the USDA Forest Service, formerly redlined areas now have much lower tree canopy cover (around 21%) compared to green-rated areas (around 40%), which means redlined communities miss out on tree-related environmental benefits like reduced heat and air pollution. Another news report by the American Heart Association links redlining to limited access to healthy food, which in turn correlates with higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity in those neighborhoods. Environmental justice focuses on making sure all communities have equal access to environmental resources, but the research shows long-term inequalities. This means these communities receive fewer environmental benefits and more environmental burdens, proving that access to basic environmental resources is still unequal—a core issue in environmental justice.

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ElliotWong   2025-11-10 17:56:30 (Last post: 2025-11-13 21:55:43)
China and U.S. differences in Climate Change Policy

In September of this year, President Xi Jinping of China announced to the U.N. climate conference that China had set goals of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 7%-10% by 2035. As a part of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate, countries are required to redefine their climate goals or “Nationally Determined Contributions” every five years, and while China and other European Union countries have renewed their pledges to the Paris Agreement by declaring their updated climate change goals, President Trump subsequently ordered a withdrawal from the treaty by the U.S. Congress. While climate change experts are critical of Xi Jinping's 7% to 10% figure and exclaim that China would need to cut their emissions by around 30% to meet the Paris goals for climate change, China had not previously renewed their carbon dioxide emissions pledge and in addition to the carbon dioxide emission pledges, Xi Jinping also set China’s 2035 climate change targets to include raising the non-fossil fuel energy production from 20% to 30% and expanding its emissions target to include all greenhouse gases, noting that “green and low-carbon transformations is the trend of our times”(Reuters). In response to China and the European Union’s action renewals, President Trump referred to climate change as a “con job” in his U.N. General Assembly Speech and lambasted climate change scientists as stupid. President Xi Jinping had called for a stronger climate initiative by developed countries, and while not naming the U.S., he made references to President Trump’s stance. Do you think that the U.S. will leave the Paris Agreement and how do you think that the U.S.-China climate change disagreement will be resolved?

Aarush_A   2025-11-13 21:55:43

The U.S.'s commitment to the Paris Agreement is currently uncertain, with past withdrawal under President Trump but recent re-engagement under President Biden. China, while setting emissions reduction goals, faces criticism for not meeting the necessary targets. U.S.-China climate disagreements are complicated by broader geopolitical tensions, with differing views on responsibility and action. Potential resolutions include diplomatic engagement, shared goals like clean energy, and international pressure.

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Aarush_A   2025-11-13 19:19:58
Global Cooperation

If you really want to tackle climate change, we have to face up to global inequity. These vulnerable countries get hit the hardest, even though they’ve contributed the least. For example, between 1990 and 2015, the richest 1% emitted twice as much carbon as the poorest 50%(Oxfam). Wealthy nations haven’t just polluted more, they’ve also fallen short on their promises, like the $100 billion climate finance goal, which hinders developing nations' capacity for adaptation. There are also huge gaps in how much people consume around the world. If we want real progress, we need to share the responsibility equally to achieve global cooperation and sustainability.

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sofiathefifth   2025-11-07 12:35:58
Over Consumption

We should reduce the amount of mass production in fast fashion and lower over consumption which has been normalized in countries (especially the United States) to help each other in climate change.

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100borja   2023-11-09 03:18:59 (Last post: 2025-05-18 23:48:39)
Environmental pollution

Environmental pollution is a very negative thing that affects the entire planet sooner or later, for example animals, humans, landscapes, forests.
If we do not end them in the future we would not be able to live on our planet due to so much pollution.

willa_yetman   2024-03-22 06:45:19

I agree with you, but I think that there are more details that you can bring to the surface. Humans are the main cause of environmental pollution. Our everyday tasks and everyday routines pollute the environment. Some examples of this are, bonfires, eating not organic meats, phone usage, and clothes that we wear that are produced in factories. But, we can do better with these things in the future. Some things that we can do to reduce environmental pollution are eating more vegetation foods, turning off lights when we don't need them on, trying our best to conserve energy, and not buying things from huge industries. Those are only some of the things we can do to make environmental justice, save animals, landscapes, and forests from what we are doing to ourselves.

Jayonna C.   2024-10-24 07:28:51

I agree. If we don't stop polluting, there will be no future or a future with little to no resources for us humans to depend on. Yet, there are still many factories, vehicles, and whatever else is causing pollution that is still causing pollution. I think people should take action and think about what we can do to lower our pollution rates.

alyssak2024   2024-10-24 08:25:36

I agree with you! Firstly, it directly impacts our health. Air pollution, for instance, can lead to respiratory issues, heart disease, and even cancer. When we’re inhaling toxic chemicals or toxic matter, it’s like we’re inviting a host of health issues into our lives. Pollution disrupts natural habitats and endangers wildlife. When species struggle to survive, it throws off entire ecosystems.Healthy ecosystems provide essential services, like clean air and water, pollination of crops, and climate regulation.

judaBOD   2025-05-14 14:46:08

I agree with you fully! Pollution does really harm many things on Earth and it starts with human's irresponsibility and stuborness on the subject. I think more people need to recognize how serious of a problem this is and not wait to change until it is too late. If we don't act now, there will be damage that cannot be undone.

SakhBOD   2025-05-14 16:05:01

I agree with you 100%! We really need to lower our pollution rates as a species and get thiis under control. If we continue at the rate we are going, things will not end well for us and our time and the time of the other species on this Earth.

SakhBOD   2025-05-14 16:15:00

Environmental pollution harms people, animals, and ecosystems around the world. If it continues to get worse with no limits, the planet may become unlivable for the generations of all species to become. The United Nations and other organizations have linked pollution to rising global temperatures and worsening climate conditions. It's easy to see the effects in everyday things, like the amount of trash and bad air quality. We need global promis to protect our environment and make sure our home stays healthy.

ancoBOD   2025-05-15 23:12:43

I agree with you! Environmental pollution is a big thing in our environment. It harms human health, damages ecosystems, and contributes to climate change. It is a serious global issue that affects the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on. My experience is that I have traveled to countries that have loads of trash in there rivers and the air there can sometimes be thick. If we don't do something now it might be to late for the next generation to have a clean environment. To prevent this we must come together and protect our environment.

chviBOD   2025-05-16 12:57:48

I agree that environmental pollution needs to be addressed. I think that there are many different ways to approach this issue, but I think the one that should be focused on it water and air pollution. Both of these things are global issues that affect almost everyone everyday. To stop this, we need to come together to collaborate and think about the ways that we could help decrease this pollution. One way could be like talking to major corporations and help stop they from polluting the environment.

fiomBOD   2025-05-17 15:03:47

Environmental pollution is a serious issue because it affects people, animals, and the planet. When I calculated my carbon footprint, my home energy use was the highest. That showed how much electricity impacts the environment. To reduce pollution, I can turn off unused light and use less heating.

jotaBOD1   2025-05-17 15:11:15

I also agree, environmental pollution needs to be correctly addressed so that it doesn't keep negatively impacting the world. Environmental pollution is the dumping of unwanted mass into Earth's natural resources. Exposure leads to disease, especially respiratory, infections and disorders. Pollution can also cause ground-level ozone, damaging crops and agriculture as well as bringing harsh weather phenomena. If not addressed, environmental pollution will lead to Earth becoming inhabitable.

kmartibod   2025-05-18 19:23:54

I agree with you that pollution has impacts on humans, animals, and the environment. Air and water pollution contribute to serious health issues and damage ecosystems. Pollution also initiates climate change, leading to extreme weather and habitat loss. To address this problem, we need a combination of stronger environmental policies, focus in clean technologies, and greater public awareness.

ilatu28   2025-05-18 23:48:39

I agree because pollution hurts all living things. Dirty air makes us sick, kills animals and covers our skies with bad air. Trash in rivers and oceans harms fish and birds and can end up in our food. Poison in the soil stops plants and crops from growing well. If we keep polluting, the earth wont give us clean water and all the other materials that we need.

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Char B   2024-09-29 12:56:55 (Last post: 2025-05-18 20:04:23)
Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is a critical movement that seeks to address the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities. Often, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color bear the brunt of pollution, hazardous waste, and climate change effects, while lacking adequate resources to combat these issues. This inequity stems from historical injustices and systemic racism, where decision-making processes often exclude the voices of those most affected. Advocating for environmental justice involves promoting equitable access to clean air, water, and green spaces, as well as empowering communities to participate in environmental policymaking. By addressing these disparities, we can foster healthier environments and create a more just and sustainable future for all, ensuring that every individual has the right to live in a safe and thriving ecosystem.

cagrBOD1   2025-05-18 20:04:23

I completely agree, and I believe that this is a very important issue surrounding both environmental issues, and social justice ones. Your point about advocating for equitable access to water, clean air, and green spaces is a very good one, but I would also like to note how much more expensive those are too keep up. Where I grew up, there was a huge difference between the nicer places, with cleaner air, and green grass because they could afford the water bill, and places that they couldn't. Also it is the same with buying from more sustainable sources, such as local farms, and other organic food sources. I was also wondering what way do you think we should work to address these concerns and work towards a more equitable and safe environment.

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LUKE21809   2025-05-16 14:32:06 (Last post: 2025-05-16 19:51:10)
Chlothing

Many people often buy lots of clothing that they don't need and they also do not wear. Lots of the time people buy a expensive and they will wear it only a few times. People buy the pieces of clothing from brands that do not make clothing with sustainability or the environment in consideration. The fast fashion brands are made for people who impulsive buy lots of clothing. The chain of people buying and throwing the clothing back in the closet is very very bad for the environment and your wallet. Since lots of people are repeatedly doing the process of wasting clothing the fast fashion brands keep on creating new products. Lots of energy and earth resources are being wasted all while the thing that powers this process is polluting the earth. A experience that i can relate to is one time i had bought something from a fast fashion place and i noticed that after i wore it like seven times the material started to deteriorate. That shows how these brands know that people buying aren't going to wear the items for that long. Instead you could buy from brands that have better quality so that the item lasts or you could buy second hand to reuse and stop buying into fast fashion.

cazobod   2025-05-16 19:51:10

I agree with your opinion on how fast fashion can become very expensive and leads to overconsumption. The goal of the fast fashion brand tis to sell as much clothing as possible and with as little money as possible into producing it. These trending brands' idea is to sell trendy low quality clothing at an amazingly low price so it will sell instantly. Then after wearing it once or twice it will rip, then you'll have to go back to the store to replace it. The cycle goes on. For example Shein produces over 6,000 new styles every day at prices of only a few dollars. The price makes you think at that point well why wouldn't I buy it. The mass production of new trends every day makes people like they need to keep up to say in line with the most current trending clothes.

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