Introduction to environmental justice
ModulesIntroduction to environmental justice
This micro-module introduces the concept of environmental justice and explores how environmental harms and benefits are often distributed unequally across different communities. It encourages participants to reflect on the responsibility they hold in shaping sustainable and fair outcomes. Through a questionnaire and stakeholder mapping, learners will explore how environmental and social inequalities can emerge in their own work.
Secondary learning objectives:
Recognize that certain communities and social groups face disproportionately high exposure to environmental hazards.
Reflect on how such disparities may arise within the context of their own research or professional practice.Environmental justice in practice
We will begin by watching a short video on environmental justice. After viewing the video, you will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire based on the content you’ve just seen.
Assess your own research
Next, we will shift focus to your own research. In this part of the session, you’ll be asked to explore the environmental impacts of your own research or research outputs.
Map Stakeholders
Environmental justice is not only about what is affected by research but who is affected, and who has power to shape decision. In this activity we will engage in an exercise to identify and explore the stakeholders connected to your research. This will help you better understand who is affected by your work and in what ways. The Rainbow Diagram will be used to classify stakeholders based on their proximity and influence. The closer a stakeholder is placed to the center, the more directly they are affected by the research or have influence over it.
