Environmental Justice
EJ
The principle that all people, regardless of race or income, deserve equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to a healthy environment.
Related terms
Overburdened Community A term officially adopted by the EPA and state governments to describe minority, low-income, tribal, or indigenous populations that experience a disproportionate amount of environmental harm and health risk compared to the general population. EJScreen The EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool. It overlays environmental burdens (Superfund proximity, traffic, toxic discharges) with demographic vulnerabilities to identify disadvantaged communities. Sacrifice Zone A geographic area that has been permanently impaired or deemed expendable for the sake of broader economic growth or industrial production. These zones almost exclusively impact low-income or minority populations. Disproportionate Impact A pattern in which one group (often defined by race, income, or geography) suffers significantly more harm from a hazard than the general population, even when overall exposure rates appear similar. Justice40 A federal initiative directing 40% of the benefits from certain environmental, climate, and clean-energy investments to disadvantaged communities.