LISTEN: Ufuoma Ovienmhada on toxic prisons

“I really align with the broader movement of organizers, community members and researchers who want to see our government invest in public infrastructure and resources that address core drivers of crime.”

Ufuoma Ovienmhada joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss environmental injustice at prisons across the U.S.


Ovienmhada, a current fellow and a postdoctoral fellow in the school of geography, development, and environment at the University of Arizona, also talks about what prison ecology means, why extreme heat is so much worse and potentially deadly at prisons, and efforts to relieve environmental burdens for people who are incarcerated.

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 Ovienmhada and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or Spotify.

Transcript 

A dog walking down a flooded sidewalk next to boats

Poorer nations need $305B US per year to adapt to climate change. UN says they're $277B short

Rich countries are falling about $277 billion US short of the $305 billion needed each year to help developing nations adapt to climate change, even as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.

A view of solar panels with wind turbines in the background

The deceptions that crippled a renewable energy industry

Alberta, Canada, invokes ‘agriculture first’ to block wind and solar while putting gas plants on prime land.

Two teens walking down the hallway of a school

Teens say they’re concerned about climate change — but also don’t know much about it

Educators have noticed a disconnect between teenagers' fear of climate change and their understanding of its effects.
A view of the U.S. congressional dome

What a historic ‘blue wave’ midterm means for climate action

Democrats swept Congress and won in the states. Here are the races that matter most for decarbonization, disasters, and data centers.
Xrays of the human body

Climate change is killing hundreds of thousands — a kidney specialist’s concerns

The 2026 Lancet Countdown reveals the growing health toll of extreme heat, while references to climate and health in United Nations speeches have declined.

American flag superimposed against the U.S. capitol building

Democrats seize Congress, Statehouses in referendum on the economy

Voters sought action on energy costs, corruption, and data centers in an election environmentalists believe sets the stage for renewed climate policy.

A worker standing on a hillside that has been logged

Brazil wraps up COP30 with fossil fuel, forest roadmaps, urging shift from talks to action

Brazil is ending its year-long presidency of ​the UN climate process with roadmaps aimed at curbing deforestation and accelerating a shift away from fossil fuels to help governments deliver on past ‌climate agreements.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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