Final answer:
Environmental justice is the equitable enforcement and involvement of all communities in environmental matters, seeking to ensure that no group bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences. It arose in response to practices deemed environmentally racist, where hazardous sites often ended up in minority neighborhoods. Option 'C' is the correct answer in reference to this movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This concept is crucial in ensuring that all communities, especially those that are economically disadvantaged or composed of minorities, receive the same level of protection from environmental and health hazards and have equal access to the decision-making process related to their living environment.
The concept arose in the 1980s when minority groups protested against hazardous waste sites being preferentially sited in their neighborhoods, a practice described by Benjamin Chavis as environmental racism. However, the issues were complex and often related to economic constraints and historic land use rather than intentional racism. Environmental justice seeks to address and rectify inequalities in how environmental issues affect different populations, ensuring that the costs and benefits of environmental policies are shared equitably.
The student's question relates to the specific definition of environmental justice. Answering choice 'C' aligns closely with the principles of environmental justice, which involves ensuring equal enforcement of environmental laws in economically disadvantaged or minority communities, rather than merely being a body of law or a type of legal punishment for polluters.