Environmental justice and social justice are distinct yet intrinsically connected realms. They intersect when the brunt of environmental issues is borne disproportionately by marginalized and socially disadvantaged groups. At the core of the connection between environmental and social justice is the fact that the environment we live in greatly impacts our quality of life. Clean air, potable water, and access to green spaces, for example, are essential components of healthy living. Unfortunately, these resources are not distributed equally, and historically disenfranchised communities often live in areas where these essentials are scarce or under threat.
Case Studies in the UK
The UK offers clear instances of this intersectionality. For example, in the case of air pollution, a team of researchers from the University of York found that economically deprived areas, frequently home to ethnic minority communities, tend to bear the brunt of poor air quality.
The British Lung Foundation found that In London, deprived boroughs like Tower Hamlets and Newham “were up to twice as likely to die from lung diseases than those in richer areas such as Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Barnet.”
A tragic example is the story of Ella Kissi-Debrah, the nine-year-old Londoner whose fatal asthma attack was directly linked to illegal levels of air pollution. Ella’s mother has been campaigning for Ella’s Law – a bill that would make clean air a human right. Ella lived in Lewisham, where her family continues to live. According to data by ONS, Lewisham is the most deprived area in Southeast London. Ella’s case is a stark reminder that having clean air is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
Read the full blog here. This blog was originally written for and published for the Environmental Law Foundation
Renee Karunungan 