From the decline of the shrimping industry to the struggles of wildland firefighters, environmental and social crises are hitting American communities hard. Drought, heat waves, and industrial pollution are exacerbating these problems.
Results for: Environmental Justice
Houston’s air quality problem, particularly in areas near chemical facilities, has raised concerns among residents and advocacy groups. Diane Olmos Guzman, a longtime resident, shares her experiences growing up near the Ship Channel and the potential health impacts she believes her community has faced. The EPA’s new ‘Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention’ rule aims to address these concerns by implementing stricter safeguards and transparency measures for chemical facilities.
California’s electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to increase, yet a closer examination reveals a disparity: EVs are primarily purchased by affluent, college-educated residents. The state aims to address this issue through its Clean Cars 4 All program, but its complex eligibility and application process pose obstacles to lower-income individuals.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has awarded over $156 million to Massachusetts for its Solar for All program. The program aims to provide residential solar power, lower energy costs, and advance environmental justice for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Massachusetts’ program will deploy 125 megawatts of solar capacity, reduce energy costs for over 31,000 households, and support 2,800 clean energy jobs.
Just in time for Earth Day, two captivating books offer insights into how birdwatching can rekindle our appreciation for nature. Trish O’Kane’s ‘Birding to Change the World’ draws inspiration from birds while advocating environmental justice. Amy Tan’s ‘The Backyard Bird Chronicles’ brings the joy of bird observation to life through journal entries and illustrations.
From Tan’s heartwarming curiosity to O’Kane’s inspiring activism, these books highlight the profound impact birds can have on our lives. They invite us to embrace the beauty of our feathered friends and become stewards of their well-being.
President Joe Biden announced $7 billion in federal grants for residential solar projects serving low- and middle-income communities. The grants are expected to reduce emissions by the equivalent of 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and save households $350 million annually. Additionally, Biden expanded the American Climate Corps green jobs training program, offering nearly 2,000 positions in 36 states.