Undergraduate Abstract
Charles Keh
2008
Environmental Justice in the United States
A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction
of the requirement for the degree of
Bachelor of Arts
In
Department of Environmental Studies
University of Nevada Las Vegas
By
Charles Keh
2008
Content Advisor:
Timothy Farnham, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, UNLV
Timothy.Farnham@UNLV.edu
Class Advisor:
Timothy Farnham, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, UNLV
Timothy.Farnham@UNLV.edu
ENV 499 A & B
ABSTRACT
Over time the environmental justice movement it has used terms such as "Environmental Racism" and "Environmental Equity" before setting upon the more widely used and generally inclusive term of “Environmental Justice.” This study follows the movement through the events which it was born. Through literature review, events and documents which have shaped the movement or shown the effects of are represented in the timeline. These include: laws passed by the Federal Government, the formation of grassroots organizations in opposition to perceived injustices, publication of studies which show the unequal burden placed on low income and minority populations, Government reports showing inadequate enforcement of standing laws, as well as actions taken by private firms to mitigate damages received by these communities. There have been significant steps on the Federal level which are providing people with the tools needed to successfully combat injustice. But numerous interagency reports have been published which show the persistence of environmental justice issues in low income and minority areas. It is in the face of these injustices that grassroots organizations form in order to obtain equal treatment. These organizations often form under a single cause but through commonality of ideals coalesce with other groups to further their collective cause of equal environmental protection for all. Even with the progress made Environmental Justice is still in its early stages, in an ever changing world new problems arise that must be dealt with.