While virtually every environmental group across the nation celebrated the Biden administration’s historic steps to lower pollution last month, John Beard sat patiently. After years of advocacy and hundreds of scientific studies, the federal government designated two “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances. This move makes it easier to mandate the removal of these man-made compounds […]
Environmental Justice
Posted inAir Pollution, Health, Partner Content
More Than a Third of All Americans Live in Communities with ‘Hazardous’ Air
This story was originally published by Inside Climate News. Within 5 miles of Kim Gaddy’s home in the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey, lies the nation’s third-busiest shipping port, 13th-busiest airport, and roughly a half dozen major roadways. All told, transportation experts say, the area where Gaddy and her neighbors live sees an average […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Water Quality
Flint’s Warning to America
FLINT, Mich. — At the edge of Saginaw Street, a hand-painted sign is etched into a deserted storefront. “Please help, God. Clean-up Flint.” Behind it, the block tells the story of a city 10 years removed from the start of one of the nation’s largest environmental crises. Empty lot. Charred two-story home. Empty lot. Abandoned […]
Posted inAir Pollution, Environmental Justice, Partner Content
23 States Ask EPA to Halt Civil Rights Rules Regulating Pollution
Echoing arguments similar to those used by the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court striking down affirmative action, Republican attorneys general from 23 states petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week to stop taking race into account when regulating pollution. The petition, authored by the office of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, was filed […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Partner Content
Hundreds of Millions Up for Grabs in Environmental Justice Grants
It’s been nearly two years since President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act won Congress’ approval, but it’ll likely be months before that cash starts trickling into the marginalized communities it’s supposed to help. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in December that the Biden administration had picked 11 organizations to serve as grantmakers tasked with […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Health, Unsafe Water, Water Quality
Federal Mandate Targets ‘Forever Chemicals’ Driving Black Communities’ Water Woes
Belinda Joyner, a former schoolteacher in North Carolina, a state where cancer clusters born from water contamination have formed, wonders if it is enough to regulate future contamination without working to repair communities that have lived with the pollution for generations. “We’ve been saying this for so many years,” Joyner said, “and it ticks me […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Partner Content
Black Residents Want This Company Gone. Will Alabama’s Environmental Agency Approve a New Permit?
This story was originally published by Inside Climate News. MOBILE, Ala.—Walter Moorer likes to say he lives at 411 “Death Row Street.” At least that is what he compares his living conditions to as he is bombarded with the stench, pollution, noise and dust that emanates from an asphalt plant owned by Hosea Weaver and […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Partner Content
Flooded Black Community Awaits Help. Is White House Official’s Visit a First Step?
This story was originally published by Inside Climate News. COFFEE COUNTY, Ala. — By now, Pastor Timothy Williams could lead the tour blindfolded. It begins at his own home, its roof nearly level with the highway a stone’s throw away. For years, following the road’s elevation and expansion to four lanes in 2018, U.S. Highway […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Transportation
Will the Electric Vehicle Push Bring Black Americans Along on the Ride?
Americans love their cars more than practically anyone — only New Zealand has more cars per capita. So, when President Joe Biden announced in 2021 that he wanted to speed up the transition from gas-guzzling vehicles to electric ones, the push drove debate among state leaders, city planners, and everyday people alike. Over the past […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Infrastructure, Transportation
The Port of Baltimore Tore This Community Apart Long Before the Key Bridge Collapse
Around 10 p.m., Eric Johnson left his church service in Turner Station and drove across the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore County. He didn’t know it’d be his last trip across the 47-year-old bridge that had defined much of his adult life, but he was certainly glad it was. Just over three hours later, […]