Abstract
Abstract The article discusses conceptual and methodological issues related to environmental risks and health problems, in the context of environmental injustice and conflicts. In doing so, we use the conceptual frameworks of political ecology and what we call political epistemology. We propose a comprehensive vision of health that relates not only to illness and death, but also to life, nature, culture and fundamental human rights. We summarize this as health and dignity, echoing the voices of countless people who have been fighting for the right to life and the commons, and against the impacts of mining, agribusiness and the oil industry. Therefore our concept of health is intrinsically related to the capacity of affected communities and their democratic allies to face environmental conflicts (the exploitation of natural resources and the workforce with the systematic violation of rights related to work, land, environment and health). Mobilizations for environmental justice also struggle for the autonomy of communities, their cultures, and the right to maintain indigenous or peasant livelihoods. The way knowledge is produced plays a fundamental role in environmental justice mobilizations since issues of power are related to epistemological disputes and counter-hegemonic alternatives. Political epistemology is an alternative way of confronting crucial questions related to knowledge production, uncertainties and the manipulations of those who generate environmental injustices. Finally, we point to some strategies for strengthening the shared production of knowledge and the mobilization of communities that organize to confront environmental injustices. Key words: political epistemology, political ecology of health, health and dignity
Highlights
The article discusses conceptual and methodological issues related to environmental risks and health problems, in the context of environmental injustice and conflicts
We offer our analysis to support social activists, affected communities, and organizations and researchers jointly engaged in movements for environmental justice (EJ) (Porto, Finamore and Rocha 2015)
It is based on the report Health as dignity: risks, health and mobilizations for environmental justice, written for the international project EJOLT, which addresses health concerns at multiple scales, and in countries of the 'Global South'
Summary
I am afraid beyond my duty as a citizen, of the impulse that I have when I see an injustice. Such studies could serve to support policies and actions to prevent illnesses, death, or suffering that might be avoidable under better living and working conditions, and different social-environmental dynamics This is important, especially when injustice is associated with specific environmental and health problems, such as exposure to dangerous chemical pollutants or radioactive agents that provoke cancer and congenital abnormalities. One of the tasks of global environmental justice movements is to promote exchanges of knowledge and experience among affected communities and organizations, including strategies and actions resulting in success as well as failure In this way mobilizing groups in different regions might anticipate problems and increase their chances of resistance in the face of particular threats and risks. In helping to reduce vulnerability, movements for environmental justice can play a critical role in articulating health with sustainability and human rights (Porto 2012b)
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