Environmental Inequalities

The increasing prominence of environmental problems has directed our attention to environmental inequalities. It is important to acknowledge that environmental inequalities are social problems, deeply intertwined with unequal social systems, power structures and stratified social relations.

The environmental justice perspective calls attention to the unequal distribution of environmental hazards and risks. They seem to disproportionately affect poor and marginalized communities around the world. Who is affected most by natural disasters or toxic industries? Do environmental regulations protect everyone equally? As another side of the same coin, the environmental privilege perspective focuses on the unequal distribution of environmental amenities. Who has access to parks, nature and clean water? Furthermore, being green is often associated with elites that buy solar panels, electric cars and eco-labelled products. This can in turn provide social status and perpetuate class boundaries. Moreover, in the case of eco-gentrification, greening initiatives lead to increases in the price of housing and the displacement of established residents.

In sum, social stratification exists in the way people and communities are exposed to environmental hazards and have access to environmental amenities. This in turn creates a framework for the (re)enforcement of social inequalities. This session focuses on the ways in which power and privilege drive environmental inequalities, and how environmental problems can create new modes of social stratification. A wide range of theoretical and empirical contributions on environmental inequalities are welcomed, for example connecting environmental problems to issues concerning racism, class, gender, and so on.