ABSTRACT
Environmental justice campaigns in East Asian countries are primarily concerned with environmental 'bads': specifically, industrial and high-tech pollution that has caused cancer-related health problems among many workers and disadvantaged residents in remote areas. This chapter explores the unfolding of environmental justice issues in the context of democratic transition. It examines the complexity and dynamics of generating spaces of inequality, the development and significance of environmental justice campaigns, local activism against the development-oriented state, encroachment by strong business interests, and authoritative expert politics. The chapter highlights multiple forms of citizen activism for addressing environmental injustice. Collaboration among local residents, activists, and academia has challenged authoritative scientific regimes and regulatory policies and has contributed to knowledge production in a few situations. As new disparities develop at multiple scales, local and regional networks evolve to address common trans-boundary risks and fight for the well-being of future generations.
