environmental justice

LISTEN: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier

"In places where there are high minority populations they bear, by far, the most burden of deaths from tropical cyclones."

Dr. Robbie Parks joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast for a bonus episode to discuss how hurricanes have become deadlier in recent years and how we can better protect vulnerable communities.


Parks, a senior Agents of Change fellow and assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, recently published a study with colleagues that looked at hurricanes over the last 30 years and found that hurricanes have become deadlier in recent years and are hitting people who are already socially vulnerable hardest. The study comes as communities in Florida are still cleaning up from Hurricane Idalia and other storm systems are brewing in the Atlantic.

See the full study, Short-term excess mortality following tropical cyclones in the United States, at Science Advances.

The Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast is a biweekly podcast featuring the stories and big ideas from past and present fellows, as well as others in the field. You can see all of the past episodes here.

Listen below to our discussion with Parks, and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or Spotify.

Listen: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump present vastly different visions for climate action

In the lead-up to the U.S. election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer sharply contrasting climate policies, with Harris advocating for green energy investment while Trump questions its economic benefits.

Sumi Somaskanda reports for the BBC.

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Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

A former top Interior official violated ethics rules by holding oil company stocks

Tommy Beaudreau, former Deputy Secretary of the Interior, improperly held stock in ExxonMobil and Chevron while participating in a meeting affecting those companies, according to a report by the agency’s internal watchdog.

Maxine Joselow reports for The Washington Post.

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Wealthy nations stall on climate reparations pledges

Rich nations have fallen short in following up on their initial pledges to the UN’s loss-and-damage fund, leaving poor nations struggling with the fallout of climate change.

Naveena Sadasivam reports for Grist.

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Trump rejects climate crisis while visiting hurricane-ravaged Georgia

As Hurricane Helene's devastation worsens, Trump denies climate change and seeks campaign donations from the fossil fuel industry, which contributes heavily to global warming.

Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

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navajo permaculture dryland farming
Credit: ThePollinationProject/Flickr/

Restoring Navajo land through traditional farming techniques

In the parched Black Mesa region, Navajo farmers like Roberto Nutlouis are reviving ancient methods to restore watersheds, boost food sovereignty, and heal their ecosystem.

Lela Nargi reports for Yale Environment 360.

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Montana groups sue to block coal mine expansion over water and tribal concerns

Three environmental groups are suing Montana’s DEQ over its approval of a coal mine expansion that threatens groundwater, sacred Native sites and ranchers' livelihoods.

Darrell Ehrlick reports for Daily Montanan.

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Pennsylvania Senate candidates face tough questions on climate and energy

Pennsylvania’s Senate candidates, Bob Casey and Dave McCormick, will debate on Oct. 3, with key questions expected on climate change, energy and fracking.

Kiley Bense reports for Inside Climate News.

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