Exposure to environmental stress is unevenly distributed in Germany in social terms. This is particularly evident among low-income families and those with little education, who are quite frequently exposed to noise and air pollution. Residential areas with low-income populations also often lack green areas, as proven through surveys and studies done in Munich, Berlin and the Ruhr region. An evaluation of a 2010 study of children starting school in Saxony-Anhalt confirms this trend. The study shows that children in Magdeburg from families that enjoy high social status more often live in dwellings with lower exposure to traffic emissions, e.g. nitrogen dioxide and particulates, than families with low social status. These findings are corroborated by the results of the German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES) by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
The ample data reveal that interest in the topic of environmental justice is growing. A large number of specialist disciplines and research areas have recently started to focus on the causes, connections, and effects of the distribution of environmental stress and resources along social lines. At the same time, the various regions in Germany are taking different political and practical approaches to improve the environmental and living conditions of those who live in heavily exposed residential areas.
The second edition of UMID focuses on the latest research and reports on environmental justice in Germany. One focus area is the pilot project on environmental justice in the Land Berlin. In its first report project participants present their analysis of the socio-spatial distribution of environmental pollution and resources in Berlin.
The other articles focus on:
- Environmental stress, socio-economic status and behavioural problems of children and adolescents in KiGGS
- Environmental justice right from the beginning - a consultative project for socially deprived families and families with migration background
- Thermal strain in residential areas - prevention of heat related health risks - a project of the Hochschule Fulda and the Public Health Office of Kassel
The current 130-page edition of UMID special issue focuses on environmental justice. It is the second UMID specialist journal devoted to the topic. The first edition was published in August 2008 (Edition 2/2008).
Information about UMID:
UMID is published in 3-4 issues annually and provides free information about the environment, health, and consumer protection. It is co-published by members of the Action Programme Environment and Health (APUG): the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, and the Federal Environment Agency, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, and the Robert Koch Institute.
A print copy of UMID can be ordered by directing an email to info [at] umweltbundesamt [dot] de or by phoning 0340 2103-2130.
