Final answer:
The current distribution of environmental risks and burdens is not equal, with developing countries and poorer populations facing higher risks and a double burden of traditional and modern environmental health risks. The minority of the global population consumes most resources, leading to an imbalance in resource distribution and environmental equity. Designing fair environmental policies is a complex challenge for governments worldwide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether the distribution of environmental risks and burdens is equal across the globe. The answer is definitively no. The distribution of environmental risks is unequal, with poor communities in developing countries bearing a disproportionate share of these risks. These communities face a double burden of both traditional and modern environmental health risks. For example, urban air pollution levels are particularly high in parts of China, India, and some cities in Asia and Latin America. Furthermore, the total disease burden, represented in DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) per million people, is significantly higher in poor countries compared to rich countries, and the disease burden from environmental risks can be up to 10 times greater in these underprivileged areas.
When considering environmental equity, it's evident that a minority of the global population consumes a majority of the earth's resources, leading to a situation where if the less wealthy majority were to reach similar levels of consumption, the result could be catastrophic for the environment. In the context of global trade, two main concerns arise: the 'race to the bottom' scenario, in which countries might lower environmental standards to attract business, and the speed at which environmental standards will improve in low-income countries.
This leads to complex challenges in designing effective and fair environmental policies. Governments need to consider the redistribution of costs and benefits, often playing a balancing act between commitment to environmental regulations and the avoidance of potential drawbacks for their voters.