Environmental Justice
CalEnviroScreen maps “disadvantaged communities” by Census tract to determine which communities will receive billions in public and private funding. But the mapping is imperfect, making many communities miss out on funding.
John Lipscomb is a fierce environmental advocate for one of America’s historic rivers. He and his dog Batu continuously patrol the Hudson and its tributaries, supporting scientific studies in their 36-foot wooden boat.
One proposal suggests installing a high-voltage AC transmission lines facility near the Bronx Terminal Market, but studies suggest these high-voltage currents could cause greater incidences of childhood leukemia.
A century-old system of reservoirs, aqueducts and tunnels in the Catskills provides clean water to millions in New York City, some say at the expense of local communities.
Hotter days are increasing in Baltimore and can put vulnerable populations at risk. To combat the heat, the city is opening cooling centers, replacing blacktop with heat reflective material and expanding tree coverage.
The infrastructure bill being debated in Congress looks like a small but genuine down payment on a more climate-friendly transportation sector and electric power grid. What comes next is crucial.
As the state's drought worsens, there are few, if any, protections in place for California’s depleted groundwater. The new law gave local agencies at least 26 years — until 2040 — to stop the impacts of over-pumping.
The proposed $4.1 billion desalination project would add as much as $90 to the typical Tucson-area monthly water bill, but if the region grows as predicted, it may be necessary. Many expect it could take decades to get approval.
The heat wave that hit Clark County, Wash., has prompted officials to raise their utility demand forecasts and ensure infrastructure upgrades happen soon. The peak demand was 18 percent greater than the previous peak in 2017.
Mayor Ben Walsh has proposed using $2 million in federal stimulus funding to plant 3,600 trees over the next three years in an effort to improve social inequalities across the city. Each tree will cost $400 to plant.
