ABSTRACT
Since the 1970s, environmental problems have been prominent politically, in the developed countries of east and west as well as in the developing world. Environmental problems represent a new and specific challenge to existing political structures and processes. One of the major challenges arises from the relationship between environmental quality and social inequality. An equitable allocation of both environmental advantages (e.g. the accessibility and use of environmental resources) and disadvantages (e.g. the allocation of environmental risks) requires adequate political measures.
