Introduction

• Author: Barry E. Hill
• Pages: 1-10

Introduction

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: LEGAL THEORY

AND PRACTICE

Environmental Justice, Sustainable Development, and the Human Right

to a Clean and Healthy Environment

This textbook/handbook focuses on two interrelated but distinct concepts: environmental justice

and sustainable development. With respect to environmental justice, this textbook/handbook exam-

ines the issue not only from an environmental law perspective, but also from a civil rights law per-

spective. It explores how environmental justice concerns are framed and addressed/resolved in the

United States through acts of civil disobedience; federal, state, and local government initiatives; liti-

gation and alternative dispute resolution; and/or mediation. The complex dynamic of environmental

justice concerns comprises environmental, social, economic, health, and political problems in minor-

ity and/or low-income communities. The concept of environmental justice involves a discussion of

various substantive areas, including, but not limited to, the following:

With respect to sustainable development, this textbook/handbook examines how environmental

law is an essential tool for a national, state, or local government to achieve “sustainable communi-

ties.”3Environmental law provides the foundation for governmental policies and actions for the pres-

ervation/protection of the environment and human health, and for ensuring that the use of natural re-

sources is both equitable and sustainable.

This textbook/handbook examines not only the interrelationship between the concepts of environ-

mental justice and sustainable development but also the community sentiment for a human right to a

1

·Environmental Law

·Constitutional Law

·Human Rights Law

·Environmental Policy

Development and Implementation

·History

·Sociology

·Health Sciences

·Economics

·Political Science

·Public Policy

·Media Relations

·Urban Planning

·Race Relations

·Community Organizing/Empowerment

·Land Use Planning

·Civil Rights Movement

·Environmental Movement

·Climate Change/Global Warming

3.

Sustainable communities are places that provide homes working families can afford; safe, reliable, and

economical transportation options; and access to jobs, schools, parks, shopping, and cultural destinations. Not

only do all of their residents enjoy the same protection from environmental and health hazards, but they also

share in the economic and social benefits that come from development.

U.S. EPA, Partnership for Sustainable Communities: Supporting Environmental Justice and Equitable

Development 1 (EPA-231-F-10-002) (December 2010).