Environmental Justice: Grassroots Movements for Change

This paper examines the vital role of grassroots movements in advancing the goals of environmental justice (EJ), a movement grounded in the fair distribution of environmental benefits and harms and meaningful participation in environmental decision-making. Drawing from the civil rights movement, Native American activism, and anti-toxics campaigns, environmental justice emerged as a response to the systemic marginalization of low-income communities and communities of color, which are disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards. The study examines key concepts in EJ, emphasizing race, class, gender, and intersectionality, and provides a historical overview of the movement’s evolution in the United States. Through analysis of grassroots efforts, successful case studies, community organizing practices, and the transformative impact of social media, this paper highlights the significant achievements and continuing challenges faced by EJ advocates. Despite obstacles such as limited funding, political marginalization, and institutional resistance, grassroots organizations remain powerful agents of change. They reshape policy, elevate marginalized voices, and offer sustainable pathways for environmental and social reform. Ultimately, grassroots environmental justice activism is not only a tool for community empowerment but also a critical mechanism for democratizing environmental governance and resisting structural inequities. Keywords: Environmental Justice, Grassroots Movements, Environmental Racism, Community Organizing, Social Media Activism, Environmental Policy.