marginalized communities
In Miami, it’s no coincidence marginalized neighborhoods are hotter
New research suggests the problem traces to a historical federal program that was turned against those who needed it most, through a practice known as redlining.
'Down your throat': Biden pushes CCS on polluted places
Jean Chemnick reports for E&E News that the Biden administration is counting carbon capture as part of its promised funding for disadvantaged communities. But they don't want it.
In a nutshell:
Environmental justice advocates have expressed concerns about the implementation of carbon capture infrastructure in marginalized communities. Despite worries about potential risks such as pipeline bursts, storage leaks and prolonged use of fossil fuel power plants, the Biden administration has tied carbon capture to environmental justice goals. This move has sparked controversy, as some argue that the technology could inadvertently support the fossil fuel industry that has historically impacted disadvantaged areas. While carbon capture is supported by scientific research to address emissions, activists are urging for more careful consideration of its potential implications for the health of communities burdened with environmental injustices.
Key quote:
“The vibe that we’ve been getting now for a while is like, this is happening. It’s happening whether you like it or not,” said Irene Burga Márquez, climate justice and clean air program director for GreenLatinos. “Which is not a great starting point. It feels like there’s no room for discussion or flexibility. It’s more like, we’re forcing something down your throat with, like, some sugar.”
The big picture:
Industrial carbon management, such as carbon capture and storage, holds the promise of addressing carbon emissions and climate change. However, the health implications of these technologies deserve scrutiny. The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide, often involving pipelines and underground facilities, can potentially pose risks to nearby communities, including air and water pollution. As policymakers push for cleaner energy solutions, environmental justice advocates want to ensure that the benefits of industrial carbon management do not come at the expense of public health, particularly in communities that have historically borne the brunt of environmental pollution.
Read the article at E&E News.
Find out more: In 2021, Douglas Fischer reported for EHN that more than 500 environmental and community groups called on United States and Canadian leaders to abandon efforts to capture carbon emissions from fossil fuels and work harder to curb fossil fuel use in the first place.
Meanwhile, Seth Mullendore argues that those holding up carbon capture and hydrogen as new climate solutions are leading us down the wrong path.
Wood pellet mills’ air pollution violations in South Georgia raise concerns
Meris Lutz writes in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about a south Georgia wood pellet mill that was recently fined nearly $52,000 for a series of state environmental violations, including bypassing its air pollution controls. Advocates say the fine is a paltry sum in the booming biomass industry.
In a nutshell:
Although considered a significant penalty by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, critics argue that the fine falls short of addressing the larger issue. The mill, part of a thriving biomass industry, produces pellets for export to Europe, where they are promoted as a renewable energy source, despite concerns from climate scientists about carbon emissions. Advocates emphasize the need for stricter enforcement and point to a Civil Rights complaint filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, challenging the disproportionate pollution impact on marginalized communities.
Key quote:
“What gives me pause is the way that Georgia EPD currently monitors these plants,” Treva Gear, a community organizer and Georgia state manager for the Dogwood Alliance said. Some mills, she added, have been allowed to repeat violations “over and over again, without any real repercussions.”
The big picture:
Living near a wood pellet mill can lead to negative health outcomes in local communities. These impacts are primarily attributed to the release of harmful air pollutants during the production process. Fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and other emissions from the mill can lead to respiratory issues, such as asthma exacerbation and lung inflammation. Exposure to these pollutants has been linked to cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and an increased risk of premature death.
Read the article at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Cameron Oglesby reported in 2021 about the Paris climate agreement - and how it overlooks one contentious "carbon neutral" energy source: wood pellets.
North Carolina hurricanes linked to increases in gastrointestinal illnesses in marginalized communities
North Carolina emergency rooms reported hundreds of visits for gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain in the weeks during and after Hurricanes Florence, in 2018, and Matthew, in 2016.
Katharine J. Mach, A.R. Siders: Threatened by climate change? Consider managed retreat
How Canada is moving to end the systemic ‘environmental racism’ that has been the toxic burden of racialized and Indigenous people for decades
Both Canada and the U.S. are taking action against the environmental injustice that has seen racialized and Indigenous peoples shoulder an unfair load of polluting industries and other environmental hazards.
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