Ibrahim Soliman
Professor Zayas
ENG 210
November 25 2024

                                                 

                                                    Environmental Injustice

            

       Recent years have seen previously unheard-of levels of air pollution in Afghanistan. Children, in particular, are seriously threatened by the nation’s rapidly declining air quality. Because Afghanistan has a low socioeconomic status, it faces many environmental injustices. The decline in air quality and the harmful impact it has on young children—particularly those aged 1–7—is alarming. The rates of child death that follow, as well as the neurological effects on these children, highlight the need for increasing awareness and taking action to address the harmful effects of air pollution on vulnerable populations in Afghanistan. The future well-being and stability of Afghanistan rely on the health and growth of its children, showcasing the immediate concern to tackle this issue.

Afghanistan’s high levels of environmental injustice and low socioeconomic status are interlinked. Countries facing these issues often deal with abnormally high air pollution. Socioeconomic factors, including poverty and lack of access to clean energy sources, further contribute to the pollution crisis, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. As David Briggs (2008) expresses, “Overall, our findings suggest that the siting of [hazardous] facilities does not merit high priority among the potential hazards and burdens to which minorities and the disadvantaged are disproportionately exposed” (p. 1618). Briggs concludes that toxic areas polluting the environment were not seen as a top priority regarding the threats minorities and underrepresented groups face.

This is connected to the current state and causes of air pollution in Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of focusing on environmental problems in places where weaker groups are more likely to be affected. For instance, only 39% of Afghanistan’s population has access to clean and basic sanitation. As Baratti (2023) observes, “Socioeconomic pressure amplifies environmental and climatic phenomena, which, in turn, aggravate the condition of socioeconomic vulnerability in which individuals find themselves” (p. 14). The connection between socioeconomic factors and environmental challenges suggests that addressing environmental injustice requires consideration of broader socioeconomic pressures.

Governmental and non-governmental responses to environmental injustice often involve policies and actions aimed at addressing environmental degradation and socioeconomic inequalities. Governments may enact laws to reduce pollution and mitigate the impacts of climate change while also investing in programs to alleviate poverty, improve education and healthcare access for children, and create economic opportunities in underserved communities. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may complement these efforts by advocating for environmental justice, providing assistance to affected communities, and promoting sustainable development practices to ensure children in Afghanistan lead healthy lives.

Many children, particularly those under age five, have lost their lives due to this traumatic event. Young children are particularly vulnerable to health effects from air pollution, such as respiratory infections, asthma, and other illnesses. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of air pollution can have severe consequences for children’s health, leading to increased mortality rates and developmental challenges. In Afghanistan, where air quality is very poor due to vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and the burning of solid fuels for cooking and heating, the impact on children is severe.

Mathiarasan and Hüls (2021) demonstrate, “Air pollution provides one of the highest environmental health risks for underserved communities. The intersection of outdoor and indoor air pollution with socioeconomic status can result in many adverse health outcomes” (p. 8). Their research highlights the disproportionate impact on neurodevelopment in children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds due to polluted environments. This underscores how environmental injustice affects developing countries like Afghanistan.

To mitigate these consequences, policies prioritizing clean environments and equitable access to resources are essential. Addressing environmental inequities is crucial for improving public health and fostering a more equitable and inclusive world. By advocating for policies that prioritize environmental health, governments and organizations can promote sustainable practices that reduce the negative impacts of air pollution, ultimately advancing social justice and equality globally.

 

References

Baratti, R. M. (2023). Environmental injustice as a multiplier of injustice and human insecurity: The cases of Boko Haram and the Taliban. Environmental Justice, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2022.0060

Briggs, D., et al. (2008). Environmental inequity in England: Small area associations between socio-economic status and environmental pollution. Social Science & Medicine, 67(10), 1612–1629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.040

Mathiarasan, S., & Hüls, A. (2021). Impact of environmental injustice on children’s health—Interaction between air pollution and socioeconomic status. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020795

Hassaniyan, A. (2024). Iran’s water policy: Environmental injustice and peripheral

marginalization. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment.

https://doi.org/10.1177/03091333241252523