• Learn the Differences: Mainstream Environmentalism vs. Environmental Justice (pgs

Environmental injustices have very real consequences on the communities that are burdened by them.

In Louisiana, for example, there's an 85-mile strip of land known as Cancer Alley which contains a concentrated cluster of factories. Research found that in the communities surrounding these plants (which are predominantly Black), the risk of cancer is 700 times above that of the national average (EPA).

In South Florida, one of the issues affecting low-income communities and communities of color is poor air-quality.

Research has shown that elevated levels of particulate matter pollution are linked to a wide range of adverse health impacts including asthma, pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and even premature death (EPA).

COVID 19: Research also shows that people who live in places with high levels of air pollution are more likely to die from COVID than people who reside in areas with cleaner air (Wu, et al, 2020).

Unfortunately, people living in highly concentrated low-income communities are also more susceptible to the disease.

Belle Glade, Palm Beach County, FL

• The simple act of breathing is a challenge for residents of the

Glades, a small rural community in Palm Beach County due to seasonal burning of sugarcane by private owned company

US Sugar Corporation • A Sierra Club analysis of EPA data estimates that the practice releases over 3,000 tons of hazardous air pollutants in the region every year, including carcinogenic chemicals • Many other states and countries are working to phase out burning in favor of mechanical harvesting processes because of the negative health impacts • Belle Glade is 60% Black, and is the poorest city in Florida.

Many have argued that this is an example of environmental racism in Florida

Image By: Black smoke from burning sugarcane near the Glades, Florida; Patrick Ferguson, Sierra Club

THIS interactive map can help you determine how much air pollution affects your local community.

READ MORE HERE

LOCAL SOLUTIONS

People in low-income communities in South Florida need to use public transit, but transit doesn’t serve them the way it should!

90% of Florida’s population cannot get to work by using public transit.

Cars are a big contributor to emissions in these communities. Better public transit would alleviate the need to have a car, and also lower emissions in highly concentrated low-income communities.

Each bus has the potential to take as many as 55 cars off the road, reducing congestion, preventing accidents, saving fuel, and significantly cutting emissions.

What is it?

Transportation justice means everyone has access to an equitable transportation system that provides users safe, reliable, and affordable modes of transportation including public transit, walking, and biking options.

Several public transportation measures were introduced in 2020, but not all of them passed. This year, Hillsborough County’s “All for Transportation” tax was struck down by Florida’s Supreme Court. Stay alert of upcoming measures affecting public transit and other EJ issues in your county!