Final answer:
The community's concerns about increased pollution involve health risks, environmental degradation, and the complexity of demonstrating the efficacy of environmental regulations. Environmental problems disproportionately affect marginalized communities, a concept known as environmental justice. Global responses to pollution and climate change are necessary, underscoring the insufficiency of actions like the Paris Agreement and the prevalence of environmental racism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental Issues and Social Equity
Environmental issues such as pollution and climate change have significant consequences for public health and the environment. The impact of environmental regulations on pollution and health is complex, with a range of factors influencing the well-being of communities. These environmental challenges are global, with local actions insufficient alone to combat the wider effects of pollution.
Environmental Justice and Health Disparities
Environmental justice concerns highlight how historically marginalized communities face greater exposure to environmental hazards. The water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and increased asthma rates in the South Bronx, New York, exemplify the disproportionate health impacts due to pollution on vulnerable populations.
Global Impact and Environmental Racism
Climate change poses the greatest risk to communities heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly in poorer regions which contributed least to the problem. Environmental racism is evident when minority groups bear the brunt of health risks from pollution due to less stringent regulations in their workplaces or in neighborhoods near toxic materials. A global approach, beyond agreements like the Paris Agreement, is needed to tackle these challenges effectively.
Local vs Global Response to Pollution
While individual communities face pollution's direct consequences, pollution is a global issue that transcends borders. There is a need for a stronger global framework that addresses climate change and other pollution forms comprehensively and equitably—more than what is currently provided by initiatives like the Paris Agreement.