From 0351de64ed5dd98d8059be3c06c2294a3df106ad Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Andrew Blackford <62357205+acblackford@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 09:49:28 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 1/8] initial push --- stories/hurricane-maria-and-ida.stories.mdx | 17 ++++++++--------- 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-) diff --git a/stories/hurricane-maria-and-ida.stories.mdx b/stories/hurricane-maria-and-ida.stories.mdx index ca5c242c1..964d83079 100644 --- a/stories/hurricane-maria-and-ida.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/hurricane-maria-and-ida.stories.mdx @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ --- id: "hurricane-maria-and-ida" -name: Connecting Disaster Recovery with Environmental Justice +name: Connecting Disaster Recovery with Communities and the Environment description: "Featuring Hurricane María and Hurricane Ida" featured: true media: @@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ pubDate: 2022-09-08 taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Natural Disasters - Tropical - name: Source @@ -45,17 +44,17 @@ taxonomy: - ## Connecting Disaster Recovery with Environmental Justice: Hurricane María + ## Connecting Disaster Recovery with Communities and the Environment: Hurricane María Hurricane María made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 or 5 hurricane on September 20, 2017, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. [Over 1.5 million people on the island lost power, leading to the longest blackout in US history](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0218883). Although efforts to repair the damage on the island were extensive, the [areas with the most severe and prolonged impacts were areas of lower socioeconomic status](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0218883). These communities lacked the resources and the representation to repair damage quickly, leading to long-term lack of access to electricity, water, and other critical supplies. - NASA hosts a wide variety of continuous Earth observation data useful in environmental justice research. This dashboard features a selection of NASA datasets from across the Agency, including socioeconomic data, Earth observation analysis, and other combined datasets. These tools allow users to visualize and download data to understand the environmental issues brought on by Hurricane María. Merging Earth data and socioeconomic data can help communities like those in Puerto Rico to better prepare for and respond to future natural disasters. + NASA hosts a wide variety of continuous Earth observation data useful in researching impacts to the interface between communities and the environment. This dashboard features a selection of NASA datasets from across the Agency, including socioeconomic data, Earth observation analysis, and other combined datasets. These tools allow users to visualize and download data to understand the environmental issues brought on by Hurricane María. Merging Earth data and socioeconomic data can help communities like those in Puerto Rico to better prepare for and respond to future natural disasters. - ## Connecting Disaster Recovery with Environmental Justice: Hurricane Ida + ## Connecting Disaster Recovery with Communities and the Environment: Hurricane Ida Known as the city that can barely catch its breath between storms, New Orleans experienced another devastating event on August 29, 2021 as Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. The effects of the storm were widespread, causing millions of dollars worth of damage and affecting the lives and homes of millions of people. - [Disadvantaged communities](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02520-8) in Louisiana and across the country already struggle with higher rates of asthma, cancer, and COVID-19 infections. These communities are often hardest-hit by storms like Ida. Research has shown that disadvantaged communities often receive less federal aid than other communities, only prolonging their hardships. NASA is prioritizing open access to environmental justice data such as the datasets in this dashboard in an effort to help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters and to help shed light on cases of environmental injustice. + [Disadvantaged communities](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02520-8) in Louisiana and across the country already struggle with higher rates of asthma, cancer, and COVID-19 infections. These communities are often hardest-hit by storms like Ida. Research has shown that disadvantaged communities often receive less federal aid than other communities, only prolonging their hardships. NASA is prioritizing open access to environmentally focused data such as the datasets in this dashboard in an effort to help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters. @@ -114,7 +113,7 @@ taxonomy: ### Flood Detection **Watching the Waters Recede** - Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) imagery shows the impact of flooding for Hurricanes Maria and Ida. This data supports disaster recovery and associated environmental justice issues as the degree and extent of flooding can be monitored in support of recovery efforts. The imagery displayed is a shortwave infrared (SWIR) false color composite that provides enhanced contrast to detect flood extent. In SWIR false color composite imagery, water is identified by dark blue colors, vegetation is bright green, clouds are white, and ice is blue. + Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) imagery shows the impact of flooding for Hurricanes Maria and Ida. This data supports disaster recovery and associated environmental issues as the degree and extent of flooding can be monitored in support of recovery efforts. The imagery displayed is a shortwave infrared (SWIR) false color composite that provides enhanced contrast to detect flood extent. In SWIR false color composite imagery, water is identified by dark blue colors, vegetation is bright green, clouds are white, and ice is blue. **Additional Resources** [HLSL30 Dataset Landing Page](https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/products/hlsl30v002/) @@ -497,13 +496,13 @@ taxonomy: The ability to detect blue tarp counts for the entirety of a zip code from satellite imagery holds the possibility of surfacing areas of relatively severe damage that may be obscured in ground-level observations. In both these zip codes the small absolute number of damaged buildings and significantly lower building footprint densities (i.e., 761.49/sq. km. in 70112 (p=0.0119) and 713.16/ sq. km. in 00901 (p=0.008)), may have caused these communities to be overlooked by on-the-ground coverage of the storm damage. However, as a percentage of total buildings, the damage sustained in both these zip codes was significantly underestimated by on-the-ground reports when compared to the highest ranked zip codes in medium damage estimate groupings (p=0.012 for 70112 and p=0.004 for 00901). - These findings have potential environmental justice implications as zip code 70112 and 00901 share similar demographic profiles. Both zip codes are minority majority. The median household income for zip code 70112 is $20,457, and for 00901 it is $14,720 (65.7% and 47.3% the national median respectively). Both zip codes contain a higher than average population density: + These findings have potential implications as zip code 70112 and 00901 share similar demographic profiles. Both zip codes are minority majority. The median household income for zip code 70112 is $20,457, and for 00901 it is $14,720 (65.7% and 47.3% the national median respectively). Both zip codes contain a higher than average population density: * 70112 contains 3,655 residents in a land area of 2.26 square kilometers (an effective density of 4,255/sq. mile). * 00901 contains 7,080 residents in a land area of 2.54 square kilometers (7,217/sq. mile). Both zip codes have indicators that suggest a high degree of multifamily housing. In zip code 70112, 2,563 housing units exist within 1,720 building footprints for an average ratio of 1.49 units per building. There are 4,990 housing units among the 1,810 building footprints in zip code 00901 for an average ratio of 2.76 units per building. In terms of population density, zip code 70112 has a ratio of 2.13 residents per building footprint, and zip code 00901 has 3.91 residents per building footprint. It follows from these residential densities that the number of people directly affected by even an apparently low number of damaged buildings (in terms of raw counts) is not insignificant. - The environmental justice implications of being able to more quickly identify overlooked storm-damaged communities is considerable. Further research in this area can establish how satellite-based detections can inform and enhance disaster recovery efforts, especially in vulnerable communities. + The implications of being able to more quickly identify overlooked storm-damaged communities is considerable. Further research in this area can establish how satellite-based detections can inform and enhance disaster recovery efforts, especially in vulnerable communities. From 427a0f964e5f0d6444e6fc5669ffb38518a41727 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Andrew Blackford <62357205+acblackford@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 10:31:28 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 2/8] updated content/formatting in a few stories --- stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx | 7 ---- stories/houston-aod.stories.mdx | 1 - stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx | 49 +++++++++++++++++++---- stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx | 10 +++-- stories/urban-heating.stories.mdx | 6 +-- 5 files changed, 50 insertions(+), 23 deletions(-) diff --git a/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx b/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx index 4e67a8587..45e956e30 100644 --- a/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx @@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ pubDate: 2024-11-11 taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Heat - Land Use - Natural Disasters @@ -35,12 +34,6 @@ taxonomy:

[3] University of Maryland and Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA

-

- Mission: NASA Earth Action: A thriving world, driven by trusted, actionable Earth science -

-

- This study demonstrates innovative applications of NASA and other datasets to highlight environmental inequities. Please note that these results are preliminary and have not yet undergone peer review. -

diff --git a/stories/houston-aod.stories.mdx b/stories/houston-aod.stories.mdx index f85db8cd9..d091abddd 100644 --- a/stories/houston-aod.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/houston-aod.stories.mdx @@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ pubDate: 2023-10-31 taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Air Quality - Urban - name: Source diff --git a/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx b/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx index 37a1d4c47..077313009 100644 --- a/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx @@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ pubDate: 2024-05-21 taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Air Quality - name: Source values: @@ -29,8 +28,14 @@ taxonomy: **Mission**: [NASA Earth Action](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/in-action/): A thriving world, driven by trusted, actionable Earth science 🚧 This Data Story presents work in progress and not peer-reviewed results! 🚧 + + + + + + ### Introduction - Environmental Justice (EJ) advocates for a fair distribution of environmental benefits and risks, regardless of race, color, or socioeconomic status [1]. In places such as Dallas [2], Stockton [3], and others [4] where proximity to landfills significantly impact health outcomes, environmental justice principles become especially relevant. Since the General Accounting Office (GAO) [5] published “Siting Hazardous Waste Landfills and Their Correlation with Racial and Economic Status of Surrounding Communities,” researchers from various disciplines such as law, sociology, public policy, geosciences, and economics have explored such relationships, using various measures of exposure, spatial scales, and statistical controls. Consistently, these studies have shown that while air quality has improved in the United States over the past several decades, people of color (POC), particularly Black and Hispanic American populations, bear an unequal burden of the environmental impacts stemming from landfills. Moreover, research into the roles of race and income have highlighted race as the most significant factor in determining exposure to environmental hazards. As with other EJ concerns, the underlying causes of systemic disparities in racial/ethnic air pollution exposure are complex and intertwined with historical patterns of exclusion and discrimination, perpetuating cycles of injustice that manifest in impacts on health, urban planning, and real estate values. + Promoting protection from environmental and health hazards while addressing the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and risks is essential to fostering healthier communities [1]. In areas like Dallas [2], Stockton [3], and others [4], where proximity to landfills significantly affects health outcomes, these considerations take on critical importance. Since the General Accounting Office (GAO) [5] published “Siting Hazardous Waste Landfills and Their Correlation with Racial and Economic Status of Surrounding Communities,” researchers from various disciplines such as law, sociology, public policy, geosciences, and economics have explored such relationships, using various measures of exposure, spatial scales, and statistical controls. Consistently, these studies have shown that while air quality has improved in the United States over the past several decades, people of color (POC), particularly Black and Hispanic American populations, bear an unequal burden of the environmental impacts stemming from landfills. Moreover, research into the roles of race and income have highlighted race as the most significant factor in determining exposure to environmental hazards. As with other environmental and health concerns, the underlying causes of disparities in racial/ethnic air pollution exposure are complex and intertwined with historical patterns of exclusion and discrimination that manifest in impacts on health, urban planning, and real estate values. @@ -166,16 +171,32 @@ taxonomy: ### Discussion The relationship between environmental hazards and race/poverty offers insight into the concerns of the Environmental Justice (EJ) movement, yet it only partially captures its scope. EJ issues encompass both Distributive Justice, concerning the fair allocation of environmental burdens, and Procedural Justice, focusing on the decision-making processes guiding these allocations. While advocating for Distributive Justice ensures no group bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences, achieving Procedural Justice is crucial for fostering sustainable and equitable growth. Thus, addressing the underlying sociological, economic, and policy factors that evolve over generational timescales is paramount. Historical legacies of discrimination, such as redlining and biased land use decision-making from firms, have contributed to the current spatial distribution of pollution sources among diverse communities. For economic reasons, firms may prioritize areas with inexpensive land, low-wage labor, or accessible transportation networks. These factors often coincide with locations of impoverished households for various reasons. Poorer households also might seek inexpensive land, for example, and have lower wages by definition. Consequently, the resulting locations of major sources of pollution and landfills, are typically long-lived. + Therefore, grassroots efforts are essential to promote programs and initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development within communities. This involves enhancing local economic conditions, addressing disparities, and investing in various aspects such as education, community centers, cleanliness, greenspaces/parks, and infrastructure, including sewage systems. Encouraging investment and providing incentives for firms to support development in these communities are crucial steps. By rectifying historical injustices and striving for equitable development, this approach aims to create a fairer and healthier environment for all. + It's not just about stopping the waste coming into the community; it's also about advocating for sustainable solutions, including building and rebuilding local economies and creating jobs to empower communities facing environmental challenges. + + + + + + + ### References 1. Christine Todd Whitman. (2001). Environmental Protection Agency, EPA’s Commitment to Environmental Justice, Memorandum. + 2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/11/16/environmental-racism-dallas-shingle-mountain/ + 3. Piper, I. (2023). The Inequitable Placement of Hazardous Waste Facilities: How Underserved Communities are Disproportionately Impacted. + 4. Siddiqua, A., Hahladakis, J. N., & Al-Attiya, W. A. K. (2022). An overview of the environmental pollution and health effects associated with waste landfilling and open dumping. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(39), 58514-58536. + 5. US General Accounting Office. (1983). Siting of hazardous waste landfills and their correlation with racial and economic status of surrounding communities. RCED-83-168. + 6. Lane, H. M., Morello-Frosch, R., Marshall, J. D., & Apte, J. S. (2022). Historical redlining is associated with present-day air pollution disparities in US cities. Environmental science & technology letters, 9(4), 345-350. + 7. Ard, K., & Smiley, K. (2022). Examining the Relationship Between Racialized Poverty Segregation and Hazardous Industrial Facilities in the U.S. Over Time. American Behavioral Scientist, 66(7), 974-988. + 8. Mohai, P., and Saha, R. (2015a). Which came first, people or pollution? A review of theory and evidence from longitudinal environmental justice studies. Environ. Res. Lett. 10:125011. @@ -186,21 +207,33 @@ taxonomy: ### Data Access * [NASA Description for EMIT](https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/products/emitl2bch4plmv001/) - * [CDC/ATSDR SVI Data and Documentation Download | Place and Health | ATSDR](https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/data_documentation_download.html) + * [CDC/ATSDR SVI Data and Documentation Download | Place and Health | ATSDR](https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/data_documentation_download.html) + + + + + + + **Authors**: Maheshwari Neelam - **Editor**: Maheshwari Neelam and Ashley Riddle ; - **Developers**: Trent Cowan, Andrew Blackford, and Jerika Christman ; - **Science and Content Contributors**: Maheshwari Neelam and Brian Frietag ; - **Acknowledgements**: All individuals dedicated to Environmental Justice ; - **Questions / Feedback (email address)**: maheshwari.neelam@nasa.gov + **Editor**: Maheshwari Neelam and Ashley Riddle + + **Developers**: Trent Cowan, Andrew Blackford, and Jerika Christman + + **Science and Content Contributors**: Maheshwari Neelam and Brian Frietag + + **Questions / Feedback**: Email maheshwari.neelam@nasa.gov #### Additional Resources 1. https://dtsc.ca.gov/2020/09/23/water-treatment-chemical-company-in-stockton-pays-32k-penalty-for-hazardous-waste-accumulation/ + 2. https://www.keranews.org/news/2022-08-23/dallas-lets-polluters-build-in-black-and-latino-neighborhoods-complaint-alleges + 3. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/vol--44--no-2--housing/environmental-injustice-in-uniontown--alabama--decades-after-the/ + 4. https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2018/09/05/the-plastic-problem/ diff --git a/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx b/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx index a6d35569b..9bc59c084 100644 --- a/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx @@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ pubDate: 2024-10-31 taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Air Quality - name: Source values: @@ -58,7 +57,7 @@ taxonomy: 🚧 This Data Story presents work in progress and not peer-reviewed results! 🚧 ### Introduction - Pork producers in eastern North Carolina call the stench of pig waste [“the smell of money”](https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/23003487/north-carolina-hog-pork-bacon-farms-environmental-racism-black-residents-pollution-meat-industry) but to the local residents, it’s the scent of environmental inequalities. The proliferation of hog farms in this area has raised significant environmental justice concerns, particularly within low socioeconomic status communities. For example, black North Carolinians are 150% more likely than white residents to live within three miles of a hog farm. Thus, minority populations face disproportionate exposure to the harmful effects of Concentrated Animal Farming Operations (CAFOs). + Pork producers in eastern North Carolina call the stench of pig waste [“the smell of money”](https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/23003487/north-carolina-hog-pork-bacon-farms-environmental-racism-black-residents-pollution-meat-industry) but to the local residents, it’s the scent of environmental inequalities. The proliferation of hog farms in this area has raised significant concerns, particularly within low socioeconomic status communities. For example, black North Carolinians are 150% more likely than white residents to live within three miles of a hog farm. Thus, minority populations face disproportionate exposure to the harmful effects of Concentrated Animal Farming Operations (CAFOs). These operations impose an environmental burden encompassing a wide range of issues. Hog farm production waste is typically collected in lagoons or vats, where it is often transferred to nearby fields to be sprayed as fertilizer or converted to biogas. The waste releases methane and ammonia into the atmosphere. When sprayed as a fertilizer, the wind catches the waste and spreads it over the neighboring area, blanketing it in a layer of feces, urine, pus, and blood. The pervasive odor from these lagoons makes basic outdoor activities and chores challenging for communities in these regions. Not only do emissions from waste cause foul odors, they can also be responsible for short-term and long-term health risks. For example, a 2021 [report](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/05/10/farm-pollution-deaths/) from Duplin County, NC found that about 89 premature deaths per year can be attributed to hog farm emissions. Disasters such as Hurricane Florence in 2018 have exacerbated the environmental impacts of CAFOs by causing the waste lagoons to overflow and leak into the local water supply. @@ -142,7 +141,7 @@ taxonomy: The resulting air and water quality degradation can have both short and long-term health effects. Short-term health effects include nausea and vomiting, asthma, and headaches while serious long-term health risks include cancer, increased infant mortality, anemia, kidney disease, tuberculosis and septicemia. - To tackle this and other environmental justices across the country, the White House introduced the [White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool](https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5) in 2022, which includes factors such as air pollution, health outcomes, and economic status to identify communities vulnerable to environmental and economic injustice. While the tool currently excludes race as a factor, data from the White House's Council on Environmental Quality has the potential to enhance decision making related to environmental justice by directing federal aid for climate, clean energy, and environmental improvements to underserved communities. + To tackle this concern, the White House introduced the [White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool](https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5) in 2022, which includes factors such as air pollution, health outcomes, and economic status to identify communities vulnerable to environmental and economic disparities. While the tool currently excludes race as a factor, data from the White House's Council on Environmental Quality has the potential to enhance decision making by directing federal aid for climate, clean energy, and environmental improvements to underserved communities. @@ -220,7 +219,7 @@ taxonomy: For example, data from the screening tool provides additional valuable information on the disproportionate impacts of hog farms for Bladen, Duplin, Sampson, and Wayne counties when compared to the rest of North Carolina (Table 1). More than 70% of the population in these counties are classified as disadvantaged, impacting nearly 200,000 people in counties where hog farming is prevalent. The population in these counties is nearly evenly distributed between white and non-white races. Compared to the entire state of North Carolina, 38% of the population is non-white and only 37% is classified as disadvantaged. Hog farms within Bladen, Duplin, Sampson, and Wayne counties significantly increase the percentage of the population classified as disadvantaged when compared to the overall population in North Carolina. - For environmental justice related decision making, development of comprehensive tools that address social vulnerability (intersecting factors including age, race, access to transportation, domicile and economics) and health are critical to ensure equitable access of resources and opportunities. + The development of comprehensive tools to address social vulnerability and health are critical to ensure unimpeded access of resources and opportunities. @@ -229,8 +228,11 @@ taxonomy: ### Additional Resources * [Economic Impact of Hog Farms](https://ncpork.org/economic-impact/) + * [Race and Environmental Justice in North Carolina](https://psmag.com/social-justice/environmental-racism-in-north-carolina) + * [CDC/ATSDR SVI Data and Documentation Download | Place and Health | ATSDR](https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/data_documentation_download.html) + * [General Assembly of North Carolina](https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/sessionlaws/html/1997-1998/sl1997-458.html) diff --git a/stories/urban-heating.stories.mdx b/stories/urban-heating.stories.mdx index 4c4c8e7d2..ffa088457 100644 --- a/stories/urban-heating.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/urban-heating.stories.mdx @@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ pubDate: 2023-02-06 taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Urban - Heat - name: Source @@ -57,7 +56,7 @@ taxonomy: ## Environmental Inequality in Houston, TX - Houston is the site of some of the earliest studies of environmental inequality. Robert Bullard, known as the “father of environmental justice,” proved that waste facilities were disproportionately sited in poor and minority neighborhoods as far back as the late 1970s (Bullard 1983). Today, environmental justice research is still important in Houston, which is among the most racially segregated cities in the United States (Logan et al. 2013). In 2012, Houston was ranked the most economically segregated metropolitan area in the entire country (Fry and Taylor 2012). According to this study, 24% of high-income households live in high-income neighborhoods and 37% of low-income households reside in low-income neighborhoods (Fry and Taylor 2012). + Houston is the site of some of the earliest studies of environmental inequality. Robert Bullard's research proved that waste facilities were disproportionately sited in poor and minority neighborhoods as far back as the late 1970s (Bullard 1983). Today, this type of research is still important in Houston, which is among the most racially segregated cities in the United States (Logan et al. 2013). In 2012, Houston was ranked the most economically segregated metropolitan area in the entire country (Fry and Taylor 2012). According to this study, 24% of high-income households live in high-income neighborhoods and 37% of low-income households reside in low-income neighborhoods (Fry and Taylor 2012). @@ -180,7 +179,7 @@ taxonomy: ### Data Access * [NASA Extreme Heat Data - Pathfinders](https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/pathfinders/disasters/extreme-heat-data-pathfinder) - * [Earthdata EJ Data Catalog](https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/environmental-justice-data-catalog) + * [NASA's Science Discovery Engine (SDE) Data Catalog](https://sciencediscoveryengine.nasa.gov/app/nasa-sba-ej/#/ej/home) @@ -190,6 +189,7 @@ taxonomy: Bullard, R. D., 1983: Solid Waste Sites and the Black Houston Community*. Sociol. Inq., 53, 273–288, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-682X.1983.tb00037.x. Fry, R., and P. Taylor, 2012: The Rise of Residential Segregation by Income. Pew Research Center, 25 pp. + Logan, J. R., C. Fischer, and C. Buchmann, 2013: US2010: Discovery America in a New Century. 1–62. http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/Data/data.htm. Reckien, D., and Coauthors, 2018: Equity, environmental justice, and urban climate change. From af3b81bb74973ead3a391d502f26decd34bd4768 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Andrew Blackford <62357205+acblackford@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 10:56:10 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 3/8] updated tags (added socioeconomic tag) --- datasets/emit-landfill.data.mdx | 3 +-- datasets/fb_population.ej.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/grdi-v1.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/hls-events.ej.data.mdx | 3 +-- datasets/nighttime-lights.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/nighttime-lights.ej.data.mdx | 4 ++-- datasets/ps_blue_tarp_detections.ej.data.mdx | 19 +++++++++---------- datasets/svi_household.ej.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/svi_housing.ej.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/svi_minority.ej.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/svi_overall.ej.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/svi_socioeconomic.ej.data.mdx | 2 +- datasets/urban-heating.data.mdx | 1 - 13 files changed, 21 insertions(+), 25 deletions(-) diff --git a/datasets/emit-landfill.data.mdx b/datasets/emit-landfill.data.mdx index cb62a63ff..6eec8f981 100644 --- a/datasets/emit-landfill.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/emit-landfill.data.mdx @@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - Air Quality - - Environmental Justice - name: Source values: - NASA EMIT @@ -83,7 +82,7 @@ layers: This dataset focuses on large methane (CH4) emissions from Landfills in the Stockton, CA and Dallas, TX regions. For more information on EMIT please visit NASA's [Land Processing Distributed Active Archive Center](https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/data/get-started-data/collection-overview/missions/emit-overview/#emit-metadata) (LP DAAC) and the EMIT Dataset Overview page on the U.S. [Greenhouse Gas Center](https://earth.gov/ghgcenter/data-catalog/emit-ch4plume-v1). - **Temporal Extent:** June 22, and August 25, 2023 - - **Temporal Resolution:** Variable (based on ISS orbit, solar illumination, and target mask) + - **Temporal Resolution:** Inconsistent - **Spatial Extent:** Stockton, CA and Dallas, TX - **Spatial Resolution:** 60 m - **Data Units:** Parts per million-meter (ppm m) diff --git a/datasets/fb_population.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/fb_population.ej.data.mdx index 0417424b2..ae2b30e7f 100644 --- a/datasets/fb_population.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/fb_population.ej.data.mdx @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Socioeconomic - name: Source values: - Meta diff --git a/datasets/grdi-v1.data.mdx b/datasets/grdi-v1.data.mdx index fb2c7d426..6a99032b9 100644 --- a/datasets/grdi-v1.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/grdi-v1.data.mdx @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Socioeconomic - name: Source values: - NASA CIESIN diff --git a/datasets/hls-events.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/hls-events.ej.data.mdx index 3ccb6ead3..971dd1e9e 100644 --- a/datasets/hls-events.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/hls-events.ej.data.mdx @@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Disasters - name: Source values: @@ -110,7 +109,7 @@ The production of atmospherically corrected HLS products is a collaborative effo ## Interpreting the data -HLS imagery in support of Environmental Justice shows the impact of flooding for Hurricanes Maria and Ida that made landfall in Puerto Rico (2017) and New Orleans, LA (2021) respectively. The imagery displayed is a shortwave infrared (SWIR) false color composite that provides enhanced contrast to detect flood extent. In SWIR false color composite imagery, water is identified by dark blue colors, vegetation is bright green, clouds are white, and ice is blue. +HLS imagery shows the impact of flooding for Hurricanes Maria and Ida that made landfall in Puerto Rico (2017) and New Orleans, LA (2021) respectively. The imagery displayed is a shortwave infrared (SWIR) false color composite that provides enhanced contrast to detect flood extent. In SWIR false color composite imagery, water is identified by dark blue colors, vegetation is bright green, clouds are white, and ice is blue. diff --git a/datasets/nighttime-lights.data.mdx b/datasets/nighttime-lights.data.mdx index b4514d20e..f1f6df988 100644 --- a/datasets/nighttime-lights.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/nighttime-lights.data.mdx @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ --- id: nighttime-lights -name: 'Nighttime Lights' +name: 'Black Marble Night Lights - COVID-19' description: 'During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are using night light observations to track variations in energy use, migration, and transportation in response to social distancing and lockdown measures.' media: src: ::file ./nighttime-lights--dataset-cover.jpg diff --git a/datasets/nighttime-lights.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/nighttime-lights.ej.data.mdx index 850fce354..570f58b44 100644 --- a/datasets/nighttime-lights.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/nighttime-lights.ej.data.mdx @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ --- id: nighttime-lights-ej -name: 'Nighttime Lights supporting Environmental Justice' +name: 'Black Marble Night Lights - Hurricanes Maria and Ida' description: 'High definition nighttime lights can be used to identify regions impacted by natural disaster and/or power outages to better inform disaster response efforts.' media: src: ::file ./nighttime-lights-ej--dataset-cover-neworleans.jpeg @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Disasters - name: Source values: - Black Marble diff --git a/datasets/ps_blue_tarp_detections.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/ps_blue_tarp_detections.ej.data.mdx index c06e8cad1..07b54135e 100644 --- a/datasets/ps_blue_tarp_detections.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/ps_blue_tarp_detections.ej.data.mdx @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ --- id: ps_blue_tarp_detections -name: "Blue tarp detections" -description: "Machine learning generated blue tarp detections using Planetscope 3-band RGB imagery" +name: "PlanetScope Blue tarp Detections" +description: "Machine learning generated blue tarp detections using PlanetScope 3-band RGB imagery" media: src: ::file ./ps-bluetarp--dataset-cover.jpg alt: Blue tarp detections for Jefferson Parish, LA on February 12, 2022 @@ -11,19 +11,18 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Disasters - name: Source values: - Planet infoDescription: | ::markdown - Planetscope provides 3-band RGB imagery at 3-meter ground resolution which + PlanetScope provides 3-band RGB imagery at 3-meter ground resolution which can support building-scale analysis of the land surface. In the aftermath of natural disasters associated with high wind speeds, homes with damaged roofs typically are covered with blue tarps to protect the interior of the home from further damage. Using machine learning, blue tarps can be detected from - the Planetscope imagery using pre-event cloud free images to detect blue + the PlanetScope imagery using pre-event cloud free images to detect blue pixels and potential impacts after a natural disaster. layers: - id: blue-tarp-detection @@ -49,9 +48,9 @@ layers: - id: blue-tarp-planetscope stacCol: blue-tarp-planetscope - name: Planetscope input RGB imagery used for blue tarp detection + name: PlanetScope input RGB imagery used for blue tarp detection type: raster - description: "Planetscope input RGB imagery used for blue tarp detection. Includes copyrighted material of Planet. All rights reserved." + description: "PlanetScope input RGB imagery used for blue tarp detection. Includes copyrighted material of Planet. All rights reserved." zoomExtent: - 14 compare: @@ -71,12 +70,12 @@ layers: - Planetscope provides 3-band RGB imagery at 3-meter ground resolution which + PlanetScope provides 3-band RGB imagery at 3-meter ground resolution which can support building-scale analysis of the land surface. In the aftermath of natural disasters associated with high wind speeds, homes with damaged roofs typically are covered with blue tarps to protect the interior of the home from further damage. Using machine learning, blue tarps can be detected from - the Planetscope imagery using pre-event cloud free images to detect blue + the PlanetScope imagery using pre-event cloud free images to detect blue pixels and potential impacts after a natural disaster. @@ -85,7 +84,7 @@ layers: ## Scientific research Detection of blue tarps from high resolution imagery can inform disaster response of the most impacted locations. Additionally, - given the frequency with which Planetscope scenes are retrieved from the + given the frequency with which PlanetScope scenes are retrieved from the satellite, the rate of recovery for a given location can also be tracked over time. This can also support disaster response to provide aid to specific locations where recovery efforts are lacking. diff --git a/datasets/svi_household.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/svi_household.ej.data.mdx index 72220faf4..95190aed3 100644 --- a/datasets/svi_household.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/svi_household.ej.data.mdx @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Socioeconomic - name: Source values: - ATSDR diff --git a/datasets/svi_housing.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/svi_housing.ej.data.mdx index f2e9fdb7e..0590da85d 100644 --- a/datasets/svi_housing.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/svi_housing.ej.data.mdx @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Socioeconomic - name: Source values: - ATSDR diff --git a/datasets/svi_minority.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/svi_minority.ej.data.mdx index b1477f83d..1df5ef3b7 100644 --- a/datasets/svi_minority.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/svi_minority.ej.data.mdx @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Socioeconomic - name: Source values: - ATSDR diff --git a/datasets/svi_overall.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/svi_overall.ej.data.mdx index 3322f42d3..fabc96e14 100644 --- a/datasets/svi_overall.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/svi_overall.ej.data.mdx @@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Socioeconomic - name: Source values: - ATSDR diff --git a/datasets/svi_socioeconomic.ej.data.mdx b/datasets/svi_socioeconomic.ej.data.mdx index 2903c2be8..095bddffb 100644 --- a/datasets/svi_socioeconomic.ej.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/svi_socioeconomic.ej.data.mdx @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice + - Socioeconomic - name: Source values: - ATSDR diff --git a/datasets/urban-heating.data.mdx b/datasets/urban-heating.data.mdx index 13796d724..1c66c249f 100644 --- a/datasets/urban-heating.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/urban-heating.data.mdx @@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ media: taxonomy: - name: Topics values: - - Environmental Justice - Land Cover - Temperature - name: Source From 12f1807ed0b1f4963a0562c26d0ab1ebc96d59f9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Andrew Blackford <62357205+acblackford@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 11:22:19 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 4/8] one more tag change --- datasets/nlcd.data.mdx | 1 - 1 file changed, 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/datasets/nlcd.data.mdx b/datasets/nlcd.data.mdx index e5f49d492..a5135dd30 100644 --- a/datasets/nlcd.data.mdx +++ b/datasets/nlcd.data.mdx @@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ taxonomy: values: - Agriculture - Biomass - - Environmental Justice - Land Cover - name: Source values: From 21928dde142f48c17913b5686211a31b978672ec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Andrew Blackford <62357205+acblackford@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2024 10:22:50 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 5/8] added source to nldas3 story --- stories/nldas3.stories.mdx | 6 +++++- 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/stories/nldas3.stories.mdx b/stories/nldas3.stories.mdx index 25c1042a9..020a16df8 100644 --- a/stories/nldas3.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/nldas3.stories.mdx @@ -19,7 +19,11 @@ taxonomy: - Surface Meteorology - Drought - Agriculture - - Disasters + - Natural Disasters + - name: Source + values: + - Community Contributed + --- From 78dfdad1d37f6eb1934da654ecdf0494cc22671a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jerika Christman <98853455+jerikac@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:47:43 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 6/8] updated content --- stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx | 8 ++++---- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx b/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx index 077313009..2e3a414bb 100644 --- a/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/landfill-ej.stories.mdx @@ -35,14 +35,14 @@ taxonomy: ### Introduction - Promoting protection from environmental and health hazards while addressing the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and risks is essential to fostering healthier communities [1]. In areas like Dallas [2], Stockton [3], and others [4], where proximity to landfills significantly affects health outcomes, these considerations take on critical importance. Since the General Accounting Office (GAO) [5] published “Siting Hazardous Waste Landfills and Their Correlation with Racial and Economic Status of Surrounding Communities,” researchers from various disciplines such as law, sociology, public policy, geosciences, and economics have explored such relationships, using various measures of exposure, spatial scales, and statistical controls. Consistently, these studies have shown that while air quality has improved in the United States over the past several decades, people of color (POC), particularly Black and Hispanic American populations, bear an unequal burden of the environmental impacts stemming from landfills. Moreover, research into the roles of race and income have highlighted race as the most significant factor in determining exposure to environmental hazards. As with other environmental and health concerns, the underlying causes of disparities in racial/ethnic air pollution exposure are complex and intertwined with historical patterns of exclusion and discrimination that manifest in impacts on health, urban planning, and real estate values. + Promoting protection from environmental and health hazards while addressing the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and risks is essential to fostering healthier communities [1]. In areas like Dallas [2], Stockton [3], and others [4], where proximity to landfills significantly affects health outcomes, these considerations take on critical importance. Since the General Accounting Office (GAO) [5] published “Siting Hazardous Waste Landfills and Their Correlation with Racial and Economic Status of Surrounding Communities,” researchers from various disciplines such as law, sociology, public policy, geosciences, and economics have explored such relationships, using various measures of exposure, spatial scales, and statistical controls. Consistently, these studies have shown that while air quality has improved in the United States over the past several decades, people of color (POC), particularly Black and Hispanic American populations, bear an unequal burden of the environmental impacts stemming from landfills. As with other environmental and health concerns, the underlying causes of disparities in racial/ethnic air pollution exposure are complex and intertwined with historical patterns of exclusion and discrimination that manifest in impacts on health, urban planning, and real estate values. - The disparities in environmental burdens stem from practices such as freeway construction, redlining, and other forms of discrimination that have marginalized communities of color, displacing them from their support networks and clustering them in neighborhoods lacking resources but rife with health hazards. Initiated by the federally sponsored Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) in the 1930s, these maps categorized neighborhoods into four grades based on security for emergency home lending: A (most desirable), B (still desirable), C (declining), and D (hazardous, i.e., redlined). Racial redlining effectively marked Black and brown neighborhoods as risky and unsuitable for loans, depriving them of essential infrastructure such as sewer and water systems [6]. Despite the Fair Housing Act banning racial discrimination in housing in 1968, the legacy of explicit racial discrimination persists, shaping patterns of racial residential segregation today. For instance, redlining, a historically discriminatory federal mortgage appraisal policy from the 1930s, continues to correlate with present-day air pollution disparities across 202 U.S. cities [7]. In neighborhoods graded D, the majority (>50%) of the population comprises people of color (POC), and in 74% of these neighborhoods, the median income is low to moderate. Redlining designations correlate with various exposures, including greenspace prevalence, tree canopy coverage, urban-heat exposure disparities, and long-term health effects such as asthma, cancer, adverse birth outcomes, and overall urban health. + The disparities in environmental burdens, stemming from practices such as redlining, have marginalized communities of color, displacing them from their support networks and clustering them in neighborhoods lacking resources but rife with health hazards. Initiated by the federally sponsored Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) in the 1930s, these maps categorized neighborhoods into four grades based on security for emergency home lending: A (most desirable), B (still desirable), C (declining), and D (hazardous, i.e., redlined). Racial redlining effectively marked Black and brown neighborhoods as risky and unsuitable for loans, depriving them of essential infrastructure such as sewer and water systems [6]. Despite the Fair Housing Act banning racial segregation in housing in 1968, the patterns of racial residential segregation continue to persist today. For instance, redlining, a historically discriminatory federal mortgage appraisal policy from the 1930s, continues to correlate with present-day air pollution disparities across 202 U.S. cities [7]. In neighborhoods graded D, the majority (>50%) of the population comprises people of color (POC), and in 74% of these neighborhoods, the median income is low to moderate. Redlining designations correlate with various exposures, including greenspace prevalence, tree canopy coverage, urban-heat exposure disparities, and long-term health effects such as asthma, cancer, adverse birth outcomes, and overall urban health.
### Discussion - The relationship between environmental hazards and race/poverty offers insight into the concerns of the Environmental Justice (EJ) movement, yet it only partially captures its scope. EJ issues encompass both Distributive Justice, concerning the fair allocation of environmental burdens, and Procedural Justice, focusing on the decision-making processes guiding these allocations. While advocating for Distributive Justice ensures no group bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences, achieving Procedural Justice is crucial for fostering sustainable and equitable growth. Thus, addressing the underlying sociological, economic, and policy factors that evolve over generational timescales is paramount. Historical legacies of discrimination, such as redlining and biased land use decision-making from firms, have contributed to the current spatial distribution of pollution sources among diverse communities. For economic reasons, firms may prioritize areas with inexpensive land, low-wage labor, or accessible transportation networks. These factors often coincide with locations of impoverished households for various reasons. Poorer households also might seek inexpensive land, for example, and have lower wages by definition. Consequently, the resulting locations of major sources of pollution and landfills, are typically long-lived. + Historical legacies of redlining and biased land use decision-making from firms, have contributed to the current spatial distribution of pollution sources among diverse communities. For economic reasons, firms may prioritize areas with inexpensive land, low-wage labor, or accessible transportation networks. These factors often coincide with locations of impoverished households for various reasons. Poorer households also might seek inexpensive land, for example, and have lower wages by definition. Consequently, the resulting locations of major sources of pollution and landfills, are typically long-lived. - Therefore, grassroots efforts are essential to promote programs and initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development within communities. This involves enhancing local economic conditions, addressing disparities, and investing in various aspects such as education, community centers, cleanliness, greenspaces/parks, and infrastructure, including sewage systems. Encouraging investment and providing incentives for firms to support development in these communities are crucial steps. By rectifying historical injustices and striving for equitable development, this approach aims to create a fairer and healthier environment for all. + Therefore, grassroots efforts are essential to promote programs and initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development within communities. This involves enhancing local economic conditions, addressing disparities, and investing in various aspects such as education, community centers, cleanliness, greenspaces/parks, and infrastructure, including sewage systems. Encouraging investment and providing incentives for firms to support development in these communities are crucial steps. It's not just about stopping the waste coming into the community; it's also about advocating for sustainable solutions, including building and rebuilding local economies and creating jobs to empower communities facing environmental challenges. From 92e8ec50c68db20b8f82113304f4109ca9822e3f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jerika Christman <98853455+jerikac@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:52:55 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 7/8] Content updates --- stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx b/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx index 9bc59c084..d740bd837 100644 --- a/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/nc-hogs.stories.mdx @@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ taxonomy: For example, data from the screening tool provides additional valuable information on the disproportionate impacts of hog farms for Bladen, Duplin, Sampson, and Wayne counties when compared to the rest of North Carolina (Table 1). More than 70% of the population in these counties are classified as disadvantaged, impacting nearly 200,000 people in counties where hog farming is prevalent. The population in these counties is nearly evenly distributed between white and non-white races. Compared to the entire state of North Carolina, 38% of the population is non-white and only 37% is classified as disadvantaged. Hog farms within Bladen, Duplin, Sampson, and Wayne counties significantly increase the percentage of the population classified as disadvantaged when compared to the overall population in North Carolina. - The development of comprehensive tools to address social vulnerability and health are critical to ensure unimpeded access of resources and opportunities. + The development of comprehensive tools to address social vulnerability and health are critical to ensure fair access to resources and opportunities. From 0abd580f067f094049704e8d3343fad2ad141fad Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jerika Christman <98853455+jerikac@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:12:48 -0600 Subject: [PATCH 8/8] Added image caption and disclaimer --- stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx | 10 ++++++++-- 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx b/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx index 45e956e30..51f7ca1ce 100644 --- a/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx +++ b/stories/black-belt-climate-ej.stories.mdx @@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ taxonomy:

[3] University of Maryland and Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA

+

+ 🚧 This Data Story presents work in progress and not peer-reviewed results, but is being expanded into an article that will undergo peer review and publication. 🚧 +

@@ -82,7 +85,7 @@ taxonomy:

- The Black Belt’s rich soil played a pivotal role in shaping the region's history and demographics. This fertile land transformed the area into an agricultural powerhouse, making it a cornerstone of the cotton economy, which was heavily reliant on enslaved African American labor. After the Civil War, many former slaves remained in the area, working as sharecroppers and tenant farmers. The region became a significant cultural and political area, particularly noted for its role in the civil rights movement. Despite its agricultural legacy, the Black Belt has faced economic and social challenges, including poverty and limited access to education and healthcare, which continue to impact its predominantly Black population. + The Black Belt’s rich soil played a pivotal role in shaping the region's history and demographics. This fertile land transformed the area into an agricultural powerhouse, making it a cornerstone of the cotton economy. After the Civil War, many African Americans remained in the area, working as sharecroppers and tenant farmers. The region became a significant cultural and political area, particularly noted for its role in the civil rights movement. Despite its agricultural legacy, the Black Belt has faced economic and social challenges, including poverty and limited access to education and healthcare, which continue to impact its predominantly Black population.

@@ -90,6 +93,9 @@ taxonomy: src={new URL('./Black_cotton_farming_family.jpg', import.meta.url).href} style={{ maxWidth: '100%', height: 'auto' }} /> + + African-American cotton tenant farmers (c.1890s) +
@@ -222,7 +228,7 @@ taxonomy:

- The combination of rising temperatures and an older workforce underscores the urgent need for adaptive strategies to protect both the health of the population and the viability of these economic sectors.Addressing these intertwined challenges requires targeted policies and investments in climate resilience measures. By enhancing education, healthcare, and job opportunities, along with adopting sustainable agricultural practices, the Black Belt can work towards a more resilient and prosperous future in the face of climate change. + The combination of rising temperatures and an older workforce underscores the urgent need for adaptive strategies to protect both the health of the population and the viability of these economic sectors. Addressing these intertwined challenges requires targeted policies and investments in climate resilience measures. By enhancing education, healthcare, and job opportunities, along with adopting sustainable agricultural practices, the Black Belt can work towards a more resilient and prosperous future in the face of climate change. ### To mitigate heat-related risks, several safeguards can be implemented: - Improved Access to Cooling Centers: Establishing more cooling centers in rural areas can provide relief during extreme heat events - Health Monitoring Programs: Implementing regular health check-ups for older adults working in agriculture can help prevent heat-related illnesses