This term might bring to mind a super hero-"eco-man"-clad in green tights and traveling the world (by sustainable means, of course) to mete out justice wherever environmental offenses are committed. The reality is that this guy isn't around when we need him. Environmental justice is based on the principle that environmental laws and protections should extend to all people, regardless of race, culture, or income level. Unfortunately, the negative health implications of environmental damage and pollution often hit poor and minority populations the hardest: Hazardous waste landfills, for example, are likely to be located near disadvantaged communities. To try to mitigate the problem, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Office of Environmental Justice in 1992, which helps to educate the public and ensure that the agency integrates environmental justice into its policies and practices. See also environmental racism.

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