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Plymouth Law Review

Rosie Holding

Document Type

Graduate Article

Abstract

This article examines the modern concept of environmental justice (EJ) with a focus on the inequitable distribution of environmental harm stemming from contemporary global issues. The article takes an expansive, global view of issues by analysing country-specific case studies. These case studies include assessing the impact of wildfires in California, sea level rise in the Maldives and air pollution in the UK. Through the lens of EJ and social justice, it is argued that negative impacts and harm resulting from environmental disasters are disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations. These vulnerable populations include low-income, less affluent communities. It also includes those who lack the personal capacity to move away from dangerous environments such as children, the elderly and those who have poor health or are disabled. Throughout this article, environmental law and policy failures, at both national and international level, which may be seen to contribute to the negative social impacts, are outlined. This involves discussion as to how governmental tiers can take action to ensure distribution of environmental harm is more equitably apportioned.

Publication Date

2021-01-01

Publication Title

The Plymouth Law Review

Volume

14

Issue

1

First Page

92

Last Page

124

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