Research Proposal 

For my research essay, I will be researching the divergences among communities regarding environmental degradation. Environmental decline is a global crisis that presents itself in a variation of ways and a multitude of human actions contribute to its worsening state. Nations across the globe are trying to navigate increasingly concerning issues like climate change, air pollution, water scarcity, ocean degradation, and waste management to name a few substantial issues. 

While environmental hazards are an issue that is seen globally in all different regions, evidence suggests that usually it is under-represented or vulnerable populations that face the effects of environmental degradation to its most severe extent. There are many causes for this imbalance of environmental quality between communities. Oftentimes political policy and economic disparities are the leading sources that give rise to this shift between the quality of environmental conditions in communities. 

Sources 

1. “Green Inequities: Examining the dimensions of socioenvironmental injustice in marginalized communities”

Background: This paper written by university students for a student summit, denudes multiple causes of the facets that contribute to poor environmental quality and livelihood in under-represented communities. The paper provides noteworthy data and evidence to illustrate the causes highlighted as contributing factors of environmental decline. The effects that these factors have on the residents of impacted communities is also expressed. 

How I Intend to Use It: This article will provide me with credible data to support my argument as well as an in depth overview of specific causes for environmental injustices in marginalized communities. This will allow me to expand upon the different factors that lead to this issue and provide my audience with beneficial information.

2. “How Marginalized Groups Are Disproportionately Affected by Climate Change”

Background: This article addresses the climate change crisis, specifically discussing four different forms of injustice that can be seen impacting vulnerable populations globally. The topics addressed in this article include economic policy and concerns. Multiple different nations are used as examples to express that there are global similarities regarding social indifferences. 

How I Intend To Use It: I will use this article to explain how marginalized groups are affected by environmental issues, specifically climate change. The focal points revolving around economic and political issues will be beneficial in explaining that poorer environmental conditions tend to be more severe in marginalized communities as a global issue. 

3. “Disproportionate Exposures in Environmental Justice and Other Populations: The Importance of Outliers”

Background: This article examines locations that are considered vulnerable to environmental harm while also maintaining the idea of environmental justice. Environmental justice is the fair treatment of all people with the goal to achieve protection from environmental health and hazards. This article notes that other factors play a role in making someone a vulnerable person to health complications from environmental harm, such as pre-existing disorders. Different groups of people who are exposed to such harm were studied in this article to showcase their unique situations and injustices. Recommendations to combat this current problem were also offered.  

How I Intend To Use It: I intend to use this article to show the complexities regarding incorporating environmental justice into specific groups. The addition of environmental justice may aid my essay in expressing the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. The article will also be helpful in gathering evidence. 

4. “Global air pollution exposure and poverty”

Background: This article is a study that showcases the correspondence between air pollution and poverty in over 200 different countries across every continent. The study largely focuses on human health concerns that have been linked to air pollution and the unequal distribution of industries being located in lower-income areas.

How I Intend To Use It: I will use the evidence provided in this study to indicate the various health concerns that environmental harm, specifically air quality, has on the physical health of those directly impacted by the problem. This article will also help me pinpoint and relay to my readers the reason why it is lower income communities that can be seen experiencing poorer levels of air quality than their neighboring counterparts.

5. “The nexus between poverty, inequality, and environmental pollution: Evidence across different income groups of countries”

Background: This article focuses predominantly on the relationship between poverty and environmental quality. In the article, a study is done in which research from seventy different nations is presented and considered in order to observe similarities between the dependency of environmental harm on poverty. The study largely implies that inequality and poverty will both be deciding factors on environmental pollution levels in an area. 

How I Intend To Use It: I will use this article to support my hypothesis and show that areas experiencing poverty do typically face worse environmental conditions than wealthier communities. This article provides a great deal of research evidence that will be very helpful to me in supporting my argument. The broad range of countries that were studied in this paper will also aid in supporting that this relationship between poverty and environment has universal impacts around the globe.