What is "environmental justice"?

The concept of environmental justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens among all individuals and communities. It emphasizes the need for marginalized and disadvantaged groups to have equal access to a clean and healthy environment, to be included in decision-making processes, and to not disproportionately bear the negative consequences of environmental policies or actions.

By focusing on the equitable distribution of resources, it advocates for a holistic approach to environmental protection that considers social, economic, and racial inequities. This means that regardless of one's socioeconomic status, race, or community, everyone should have the right to a healthy environment and be actively involved in shaping policies that affect their surroundings. As such, the correct answer highlights the fundamental principle of environmental justice, which seeks to address and rectify longstanding inequalities in environmental protection.