Global Environmental Justice

The Earth: we are all interconnected, and so are our problems. 

In thinking about Environmental Justice, we typically focus on issues in the United States and Mexico.  However, the issue surrounding Environmental Justice and development can be seen on a global scale.  The EPA defines Environmental Justice as "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies" (1).   But what if the regulations and policies don't exist or are not enforced?  How does this relate to development around the globe?  Development is often seen through economic eyes as a way to transition from developing to developed- being the shift towards Western society.    


Development can be examined through following a commodity that is consumed in Western countries.  If we think about a product commonly used in today's society, the likelihood that the product was made-from start to finish, including all the components or ingredients-in the United States is very low.  So how does this relate to the world? Those products, materials, and ingredients are produced, mined, manufactured, and shipped from and to places around the world.  This global trade is driven by the free market and competition.  But how does this relate to environmental justice, one might ask?  We can answer this question in many ways and from many angles, from the conditions of mining in low income countries and regions to the exploitation of land and labor in poor communities. 

Toxic Electronic Waste (Source: http://my.opera.com/sanshan/blog/2009/08/06/e-waste )

A good example that involves Environmental Justice and development is a 60 Minutes segment about the toxic electronic waste that is being exported out of the United States to a rural town in China.  This is exemplary of the global imbalance of power and poorly enforced regulations and policies.  The electronic waste is gathered by a "recycling" companies, claiming that the toxic television and computer screens, electronics, and phones are being disposed and recycled in the US.  These electronic parts contain high levels of chemical toxins and pollutants.  These pollutants and toxins seep into the groundwater in the area, and the workers who are tasked with taking apart the electronic waste in order to salvage and recycle some of the harmful chemicals are working without protection and using removal methods that are unsafe.  The workers and area these toxic items are being dumped is being taken advantage of by people with power and control. 


While the development of technology and globalization of trade allows for many new commodities and conveniences in Western countries, it also allows for shuffling of environmental problems out of the rich countries and into the poor countries.  This gives a whole new meaning to "Not In My Back Yard" because it demonstrates NIMBYism in action on a global scale.  


Read more about the toxic electronic waste site here: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-4579229.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

1. http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/