2 Social & Environmental Justice

“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.”^[1]

Social and environmental justice are intertwined concepts that address fairness and equity in the distribution of resources, opportunities, and burdens within society, while also considering the impact of human activities on the natural environment. When viewed through the lens of social and environmental justice, green chemistry also serves to highlight several common concerns:

1. Equitable access to safer products and eliminate exposure to harmful chemicals: Green chemistry aims to ensure that all individuals and groups have fair access to products that are benign for human health and the environment. This involves taking into account the requirements of marginalized communities and underrepresented groups which might suffer from exposure to harmful chemicals. The overarching aim is the equitable allocation of environmental benefits and burdens, as seen through the lens of environmental justice, and the enhanced empowerment of marginalized communities and individuals, as seen from the perspective of social justice.
2. Protection of Vulnerable Groups: Pollution prevention goes hand in hand with the focus on protection of vulnerable populations, such as low-income communities and minority groups, from environmental hazards and ensuring their right to a healthy environment.
3. Sustainable Development: Green chemistry promotes the efficient use of renewable resources and the reduction of waste in chemical processes. This can contribute to sustainable development by conserving natural resources and minimizing the environmental impact of chemical production. This objective aligns with environmental justice, which advocates for sustainable development practices that minimize environmental harm and long-term well-being of both people and the planet.
4. Global Impact: Green chemistry recognizes that environmental issues and social injustices often have global implications. By promoting sustainable practices and technologies, it aims to address challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss on a global scale.

Several states in the United States have proposed laws, executive orders, or initiatives to promote green chemistry and encourage the inclusion of sustainable practices into manufacturing and industry. For instance, Executive Directive 2006-6^[2] from the State of Michigan emphasized the importance of implementing green chemistry principles to reduce the use and generation of hazardous substances and encourages state agencies to promote and support research, education, and the implementation of green chemistry practices. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the importance of green chemistry in addressing environmental and public health concerns.