The relationship between the environment and the social structures within the community is inherently interconnected. It underscores the implications of the balance between the society and the ecosystem that exists through which the natural order is maintained. Environmental justice is, therefore rooted in recognition of the needs of the people in the society and the capacity of sustainable living within the standards of safety and environmental protection. Drawing from the exemplification of the Flint water crisis, the discourse underscores the merge of environmental and social injustices.
Environmental justice stands within the maintenance of balance between effective and safe exploitation of natural resources. It is compounded by the balance in the delivery of those environmental standards across all facets of the social structure. In the complexity of the social order and structures, implementation of social and environmental policies is underpinned by the political will and influence held by the concerned parties. In the flint water crisis, the affected population was in a combination of individuals of the lower social class and people of color living in the city. The implication was underscored largely to the location of the people within the city structure. Largely located in the low-income neighborhoods, the lower social class had little to no influence on the decisions of changing the water supply from the lake to the river.
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Race and social classes within the society have a huge influence on the decision making the process in any political system. In context, marginalized individuals, especially people of color have a lower social class due to the limited economic power. In a political system, more economic power has a direct influence on the political power held by the people. For instance, the limited political power of the people of Flint limited the ability of their concerned being heard and issues raised. In context, therefore, the institutional and social injustices spilled into the environmental injustices of the area.
Contextualization of the responsibility towards the maintenance of the environmental standards to all individuals resides within the social and political structures. While the federal and local governments, as well as private interests, are separate, the environmental responsibility is shared. The local and federal government share the role of shaping and implantation of environmental policies as well as the protection of the members of the society. On the other hand, the private interests of companies, as well as individuals, must also act within the environmental regulations that exist. For instance, incorporation of joint ventures between the local government and private companies may reduce the environmental pollution issues in society. Consequently, the local government has the responsibility to investigate and attend to the environmental concerns of their citizens regardless of their race and social status.
Conclusion
Environmental injustice as denoted within the discourse is a complex issue that encompasses major issues within society. Therein, any achievement in the endeavors of a possible solution resides in recognition of the relationship and connection between them. In context, therefore, environmental issues such as the Flint water crisis are beyond a single social issue of racism or social stratification. It implicates the issue of equal treatment for all individuals of the society under the burner of standardized environmental protection.
