Unpacking Uneven Findings on Environmental Inequity

Social scientists have done extensive work to understand patterns of distributional environmental injustice—the unequal exposure of different human groups to environmental hazards. Yet the extent and nature of these inequalities differ across studies. Observed environmental inequities may differ across localities with different histories; hazards with different biophysical dynamics; and studies using different methods. These variations matter for environmental justice movements: understanding where and when disparities have been more or less severe may reveal opportunities for action. We have gathered over 400 studies of unequal environmental exposures and will share initial findings from ongoing work, highlighting uneven coverage of different hazards and dimensions of social inequality over time.

This session will be led by the Unequal Exposures Research Team as part of the TAD-POLE series hosted by the Global Development Student Advisory Board. The research project was funded by a Polson Institute grant, with John Zinda as Principal Investigator.