What is a key focus of environmental justice?

A key focus of environmental justice is ensuring equal access to clean air and water. This concept addresses the disproportionate impact that environmental harms can have on marginalized and disadvantaged communities. Environmental justice advocates for the understanding that all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, should have the right to live in a safe and healthy environment.

The emphasis on equal access to clean air and water highlights the importance of addressing systemic inequalities where certain groups may face greater exposure to pollutants or lack access to essential resources. This focus aims to recognize and rectify the injustices that have historically placed lower-income and minority communities at greater environmental risk.

Other options, while they pertain to environmental issues, do not specifically encapsulate the core principles of environmental justice. Maximizing economic development can sometimes lead to environmental degradation if not managed sustainably. Enforcing stricter pollution controls is certainly a part of managing environmental impacts but does not directly address equity. Promoting urbanization often leads to higher pollution levels if not planned with sustainability and social equity in mind. Thus, the principle of equal access is fundamental to the mission of environmental justice.