Environmental Justice 

I've taken the Environmental Justice class offered here at Drew with Professor Harrison, and it is illuminating in what it shows about how society and the environment intersect. Issues of the environment cannot be separated from human activities- we shape nature as much as it influences us. However, we can also respond to the environment, and these responses are where environmental justice comes in. Groups of people are forced to bear the burden of environmental issues more so than others, due to religion, race, gender, and class. 
Environmental Justice is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as "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." I agree with this statement- every group of people should bear the burdens and reap the benefits of our environment equally. Environmental injustices are when these disadvantaged groups suffer the burdens more without any of the benefits coming their way. This could be placing people of color in more flood-prone areas, building nuclear power plants near people of color, allowing the white/wealthy the privilege of larger lawns far away from air, water, light, and noise pollution. http://www.ejnet.org/ej/ highlights specific examples of environmental racism that are played out across the United States, including waste management, exposure to toxins, and atomic bomb testing. Not only are pollution, overharvesting, and environmental degradation horrible for the planet in general, but additionally, people from underprivileged groups have to bear the brunt of these issues when they may not even be the ones contributing the most to the problems. Balancing the issues and the benefits among everyone is Environmental Justice, and needs to be fought for.