Advancing environmental justice education: a critical review of research and practice

Environmental issues disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color, fueling grassroots movements for environmental justice. Despite this, K-16 education curricula often neglect environmental justice topics, failing to expose the unique hazards associated with environmental harms and the health risks faced by minoritized communities. To assess the landscape of environmental justice education in primary, secondary, and post-secondary education settings, we reviewed literature to examine the educational dimensions of environmental justice. Our critical analysis examines how empirical research defines environmental justice and how researchers operationalize EJE curricula and pedagogies. Based upon our findings, we propose practical implications for implementing environmental justice education, emphasizing critical conceptions of environmental justice within pedagogical practice. By integrating local environmental justice issues into the curriculum, EJE can empower students to address environmental disparities in their communities, fostering a more equitable and sustainable future.