Study Guide for Final Exam Environmental Justice Fall 2025

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering essential concepts in Environmental Justice, including key theories, legal frameworks, and notable case studies.

Urban Sustainability Paradox

The concept that cities serve as both incubators of sustainable practices and as contributors to environmental injustice.

Complete Streets

Infrastructure that facilitates urban real estate development, often neglecting the needs of low-income residents and homeless communities.

Treadmill of Production

An economic model promoting capitalism and growth that leads to environmental degradation, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations.

Treadmill of Destruction

Highlights the consequences of the Treadmill of Production, focusing on toxins and hazards created through militarism and environmental exploitation.

Risk Assessment Code (RAC)

A variable predicting proximity to environmental hazards based on severity and probability.

Ferocious Cruelty

Emotionally charged and celebratory violence directed at specific groups, often seen in agrarian societies.

Callous Cruelty

Impersonal violence aimed at achieving goals without regard for individual identity.

Containment

The practice of isolating undesirable conditions with racial minority communities for control.

Racialization of Labor and Space

Segregation of minorities into hazardous jobs and neighborhoods, perpetuating environmental injustice.

Environmental Blackmail

The predicament where poor communities have to choose between economic survival and exposure to environmental hazards.

Uneven Development

The inconsistent investment in areas that leads to industrialization and deindustrialization.

Environmental Gentrification

The displacement of communities advocating for cleanup as wealthy individuals move into formerly polluted areas.

Ethnic Churning

The demographic shift where one race or ethnicity becomes the majority in an area previously occupied by another.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

A law regulating the use of chemicals that could pose health risks to the public.

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Legislation requiring government and industries to plan for chemical emergencies and provide information to the public.

Alexander vs. Sandoval (2001)

A Supreme Court ruling narrowing the rights of EJ communities to sue based on disparate impact.

Toxic Tort

A civil lawsuit seeking compensation for injury caused by exposure to toxic substances.

Flint Water Crisis

A public health crisis caused by contaminated drinking water due to decisions made under emergency management.

Sacrifice Zones

Locations heavily polluted by industry where residents face elevated health risks for economic reasons.

Carbon-Centric Policy Paradigm

An approach to climate change focusing solely on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ignoring other key factors.

Racialization of Labor and Space

The social and spatial organization of labor that prioritizes racial identities, leading to unequal distribution of resources and opportunities within communities.

Post-Racial Ideology

This is the idea that racism is a thing of the past, therefore EJ initiatives are unnecessary and unjustified.

CAA

Clean Air Act of 1970

Clean Air Act of 1970

(CAA) Controls air pollution emissions, standards for diff polluters, States have main enforcement responsibility

CWA

Clean Water Act of 1972

Clean Water Act of 1972

(CWA) Made it unlawful for a “point source” to discharge any pollutant into waters without a permit, Created a new requirement for technology-based water quality standards, Set Water Quality Standards

Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974

Regulates quality of drinking water, requires all water system operators (except for small wells) to test for contaminants and publish public annual reports

3 standards, only maximum contaminant level enforced

For microorganisms, disinfectants (and byproducts), (in)organic chemicals, Radionuclides

FIFRA

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (Revised 1972)

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (Revised 1972)

(FIFRA) Requires EPA to regulate sale/use of pesticides through registration/labelling. Also specific regs around food

RCRA

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976)

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976)

Regulates solid and hazardous waste

Does not regulate uncontrolled/abandoned waste

Subtitle b: office of solid waste, Classifies what non-hazardous waste means

Characteristic Wastes: any wastes with these characteristics are, by definition, hazardous wastes: ignitability, corrosiveness, reactivity, toxicity