Evaluating the Impact of Digital Tools on Empowering Marginalized Communities to Combat Environmental Injustices
- YourLawArticle
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Written by: Adv Kavita N Solunke, BA, BSL, LLM, MBA, GDC&A, PG(ADR), CCIO, Additional Government Pleader, Arbitrator, Mediator& Conciliator High Court Mumbai & Notary Govt of India
&
Dr Rashmi Solunke M.B.B.S., DNB (Anesthesia), Aakash Healthcare Super Specialty Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi
Abstract
The proliferation of monitoring technologies, big data, enhanced analytical capabilities, and other advancements presents an opportunity, although with certain considerations, for technological progress to address enduring environmental justice issues. The interactions between the digital world and the environment present a diverse range of interdependencies. These range from utilizing technology to map, monitor, and predict environmental issues and impacts, to proposing, simulating, and implementing strategies to mitigate negative impacts on the environment. Digital technologies have the ability to collect, process, and analyze vast amounts of data. This enables them to identify problems and potential solutions, as well as predict future developments. Additionally, these technologies can streamline processes, reducing the need for resources such as natural resources, human efforts, and finances. Several digital technologies have been extensively adopted in the field of environmental protection. Communities that are marginalized face challenges that are a direct result of their marginalization. These challenges include exclusion, invisibility, misrepresentation, and hate speech. These challenges are not just experienced offline, but also increasingly online as a result of changes in digital technology. The term “digital marginalization” is typically used to refer to individuals who do not possess or make use of the internet, individuals who do not have access to a fast and dependable internet connection (for example, individuals who reside in rural areas), and individuals who do not possess the skills necessary to use the internet or who do not have access to the resources necessary to develop those skills. However, the concept of digital marginalization encompasses more than just those individuals who have restricted access to the internet and inadequate digital abilities, it also has a social dimension. To put it another way, digital marginalization also refers to the reproduction of marginality in digital arenas like social media. This study seeks to investigate the convergence of technology and environmental justice, with a specific focus on how digital tools and platforms can empower marginalized communities. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of digital literacy and education in raising environmental awareness. It also explores how digital innovations can improve environmental monitoring, enforcement, and accountability mechanisms. Through a thorough analysis of existing literature, this study aims to identify any areas that may be lacking and provide valuable recommendations for enhancing policy and implementation. In order to achieve the intended objective, the current study will gather data from a range of reputable secondary sources, such as books, journals, articles, and reports that are relevant to the topic. The review's findings provide insight into the complex connection between technology and environmental justice, as well as the role of environmental education and awareness in fostering environmental accountability. This study, therefore, adds to the existing body of literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the role that digital tools, digital literacy, and environmental awareness play in empowering marginalized communities through the management of environmental justice. This emphasizes the significance of fostering connections across different fields and involving the community in raising environmental awareness.
Keywords: environmental justice, digital tools, marginalised communities, digital literacy, environmental awareness, environmental monitoring, and accountability mechanisms.
Comments