forbidden word(s): EJ – Environmental Justice
environmental
environmental adjective
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of or relating to the totality of things, conditions, influences, cultural forces, etc., that surround and shape the life of a person or a population.
Investigators in the study will examine possible associations between aggressive prostate cancer and exposures to environmental stressors such as discrimination, early-life adversity, and segregation.
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Ecology. of or relating to all the external conditions, such as air, water, minerals, and other organisms, that surround and affect any given organism, often specifically relating to human interaction with these conditions.
She took 11 lake samples to identify the fish communities present there and the defining environmental factors, like dissolved oxygen, pH, and vegetation.
Agriculture is now a dominant force behind many environmental threats, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and the degradation of land and fresh water.
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of or being art that surrounds the viewer or involves the viewer’s participation, often on a grand scale and outdoors.
Our programs include an exhibition of global art, public lectures on birds, and a collaborative outdoor installation of environmental art.
Usage
What does environmental mean? Environmental means of or relating to all the things that surround us and influence our lives, as in For some people, environmental stressors included how crowded a room is and how loud the noise is.In ecology, environmental also means of or relating to all external conditions that surround an organism, such as air, water, and minerals. When someone talks about climate change and its environmental impact, they mean that as the average temperature of the Earth changes, it affects the environment, such as through soil erosion, flooding, and more.Less often, environmental describes something that surrounds the viewer or encourages their participation, as with some outdoor art.Example: The environmental damage this project will cause might be unreasonable.
Other Word Forms
- environmentally adverb
- interenvironmental adjective
- nonenvironmental adjective
- nonenvironmentally adverb
- preenvironmental adjective
- proenvironmental adjective
Etymology
Origin of environmental
environment ( def. ) + -al 1 ( def. )
Related Words
from — Definition of environmental. (n.d.).
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justice
justice, noun
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the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.
to uphold the justice of a cause.
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rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason.
to complain with justice.
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the moral principle determining just conduct.
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conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment.
Victims of rape and sexual assault have the right to the evidence they need to seek justice.
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just treatment of all members of society with regard to a specified public issue, including equitable distribution of resources and participation in decision-making (usually used in combination).
Environmental justice means that all people, regardless of race or income, have the right to a clean and healthy environment.
A group of moms in the Bridgeton area are advocating for health justice for those living around the landfills.
When we speak of climate justice, we demonstrate our sensitivity and resolve to secure the future of poor people from the perils of natural disasters.
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the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
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the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings.
a court of justice.
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judgment of persons or causes by judicial process.
to administer justice in a community.
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a judge on a higher court, especially a Supreme Court.
the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.
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a minor judicial officer or magistrate.
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Also called Justice Department. Justice. the Department of Justice.
idioms
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bring to justice, to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one’s misdeeds.
The murderer was brought to justice.
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do justice,
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to act or treat justly or fairly.
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to appreciate properly.
We must see this play again to do it justice.
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to acquit in accordance with one’s abilities or potential.
He finally got a role in which he could do himself justice as an actor.
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justice, cultural
A figure in painting and sculpture that symbolizes the impartiality of true justice. The figure of Justice usually appears as a blindfolded woman with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other.
Other Word Forms
- justiceless adjective
Etymology
Origin of justice
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, equivalent to jūst(us) just 1 + -itia -ice
from — Definition of justice. (n.d.).
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Environmental Justice
Environmental justice is the idea that all people and communities have the right to live and thrive in safe, healthy environments with equal environmental protections and meaningful involvement in these actions.
Latest Updates
An Exploration of Individual and Collective Practices for Community-Based Leaders in Times of Transition with ProInspire (2024)
This guidebook offers community-based leaders essential tools including reflection prompts, practical exercises and case studies, to navigate organizational changes such as moments of conflict, funding reductions, or leadership transitions.
Download in English (PDF) or Español (PDF)
Funding and Donor Development Strategies for Small Nonprofits (2023)
Download in English (PDF) or Español (PDF)
Communications Strategies for Social Justice (2022)
Download in English (PDF) or Español (PDF)
Background on environmental health inequities
Communities affected by environmental injustices are most often composed of marginalized racial/ethnic, low-wealth, rural, immigrant/refugee, indigenous and other populations that live in areas disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards, unhealthy land uses, psychosocial stressors, historical traumas and systemic racism, all of which drive environmental health disparities.
This disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color is also known as environmental racism, which stems from intentional institutional policies or decisions that target communities of color for undesirable land uses, such as the siting of polluting industries that release toxic and hazardous waste.
What is environmental justice?
The environmental justice movement works to combat environmental racism and other oppressive systems, as it was born from decades of community mobilization, the civil rights movement and environmentalism.
The EPA defines environmental justice 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.”
In combatting environmental injustices, we are working towards basic human rights and the safety and well-being of communities, as well as sustainable health equity. This work cannot be achieved without centering, uplifting and meaningfully engaging those who experience such injustices.
“For far too long, people of color, Native Americans and low-income communities have suffered disproportionately from the devastating consequences of pollution, climate change and other environmental health harms. Today, the nation is finally taking substantial steps to right these wrongs and eliminate health disparities. Join us in advancing this era of transformative change for environmental justice and civil rights.” – Charles Lee, former senior policy advisor, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, USEPA
Why is environmental justice important to public health?
Environmental justice is a public health and human rights issue. Marginalized communities are disproportionately at risk of exposure to lead, air pollution, hazardous waste and extreme heat. Environmental exposures have been linked to various damaging health issues, including cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases and developmental disabilities.
The threat of climate change further exacerbates these environmental health risks. For example, climate change worsens heat waves, which have more severe impacts on certain populations including farmworkers.
To fight environmental injustice and move towards health equity, we need to consider environmental health burdens, systemic racism and other social factors and pre-existing health conditions together as cumulative health impacts, to address environmental justice as a structural public health issue.
from — Environmental justice. (n.d.). American Public Health Association.
March 16, 2025
Hudson Valley, New York
image: lichen bloom © Holly Troy 2026
This is one word you can’t say in the new Trump Administration. See a comprehensive list at the Forbidden Words Project.
The White House has said it did not create a banned words list but has instead left it to federal agencies to interpret how to comply with executive orders that solely recognize male and female sex or eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Nonetheless, some departments have added terms that seem to have nothing at all to do with those executive orders.
from — Connelly, E. A. (2025, December 22). Federal Government’s Growing Banned Words List Is Chilling Act of Censorship. PEN America.
Climate Science Legal Defense Fund
see Silencing Science Tracker — silencingscience.org
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