The Environmental Justice Lab

In the conclusion to this series, our special guest Savannah Domenech and I take a reflective look back at their deep dive into Rochester's legacy of environmental injustice. Throughout this series, we explored how Kodak's rise and fall left deep economic, environmental, and public health scars on the Rochester community. In this episode, Savannah shares personal stories, research insights, and the powerful realization that even lifelong residents often don't know the full extent of the damage. We discuss why legacy environmental injustice doesn't end when a company closes its doors - and why community awareness, activism, and healing must continue. From environmental pollution to gentrification, the conversation reminds us that true justice requires confronting the past and committing to building a better future. We urge all of you listening to dig into your own local histories, connect with your neighbors, and advocate for change - because the fight for clean, safe, and equitable communities impacts everyone.

In this personal episode, we recognize Black Maternal Health Week with a reflection on the systemic failures that Black women face during pregnancy and childbirth. Together, we explore the heartbreaking reality that Black women - regardless of income or education - consistently experience the worst maternal health outcomes in the U.S. Why are they not being heard? Why are their concerns dismissed, even by healthcare professionals? And what does it say about the society we live in?As we draw connections between environmental racism, healthcare inequities, and the lived experiences of Black mothers, we go beyond the statistics, and get personal about our family experiences, toxic beauty standards, and the critical importance of clean, safe environments and culturally competent medical care. As you listen, we hope that you will walk away not only informed, but inspired to act. Whether it's advocating for Black physicians, confronting harmful stereotypes, or demanding safer neighborhoods, this is both a call to consciousness and a call to action.

In this episode,  Savannah Domenech is back to dive into the economic effects of Kodak's rise and fall in Rochester, New York. For decades, Kodak wasn't just a company - it was the economic backbone of the city, providing tens of thousands of jobs and shaping the entire community. But when the company went bankrupt, so did the financial security of many Rochester residents.What happens when an industry that once promised prosperity vanishes? Savannah unpacks the stark realities of Kodak's economic collapse, from lost pensions and skyrocketing unemployment to the struggles of former workers forced back into the job market. They explore the racial and gender disparities in Kodak's hiring and wage practices, the class-action lawsuits that followed, and the devastating impact of the company's bankruptcy on retirees who were left with nothing.But this isn't just a story of loss - it's also one of resilience. How did the community rebuild after the downfall of its largest employer? And what lessons can we learn about relying too heavily on a single industry? Let's explore this and so much more on this episode of The Environmental Justice Lab. Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

In this episode, we dive deep into the urgent water crises affecting communities worldwide. Although the United Nations' theme for World Water Day 2025 highlights glacier preservation, we are shifting the conversation to the pressing issue of water access in war zones, underprivileged communities, and regions suffering from environmental neglect.From Gaza to Flint, Sudan to Ukraine, billions are struggling to secure clean, safe water. We discuss how water scarcity is not just a resource issue but a matter of human rights and environmental justice. We also explore the devastating impact of climate change, conflict, and inequality on global water supplies, emphasizing how access to water determines survival, health, and social equity.Why are some communities forced to buy bottled water while others enjoy clean tap water? How has water become a weapon in modern conflicts? And could future wars be fought over this essential resource? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the politics of water, the disparities in global access, and what we can do to push for change.Because water isn't a privilege. It's a right.Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community:Instagram: @envjusticelabYouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

In this episode, we confront one of the most devastating consequences of Kodak's industrial legacy: its impact on public health. For decades, the communities surrounding Kodak's operations in Rochester have faced alarming health disparities—rising cancer rates, respiratory illnesses, and other chronic conditions linked to toxic pollution. Savannah unpacks the harsh reality of how environmental contamination has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, especially children and low-income families.But this episode is not just about the problem—it's about the fight for solutions. How do you heal a community that has been exposed to industrial pollution for generations? What policies or healthcare interventions are needed to address these long-standing health disparities? And most importantly—how can we prevent this from happening again in other communities? If you are concerned about the intersection of health, equity, and environmental justice, this episode is essential listening.Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

In this continuation of our series on Legacy Environmental Justice, we shift our focus from Kodak to the people of Rochester - the communities that lived in the shadow of the factory, bore the brunt of its pollution, and are still dealing with its lasting effects today. Savannah unpacks eye-opening statistics from the latest census, revealing how economic hardship, failing school systems, and environmental degradation have shaped the city over time.At the heart of this episode lies in the deeply human impact of Kodak's environmental footprint. From toxic spills near elementary schools to alarmingly high cancer rates in women and children, we discuss how systemic neglect and corporate irresponsibility continue to haunt Rochester long after Kodak's decline.How does a community recover from a century of environmental injustice? What can be done to protect future generations? And is anyone still being held accountable? This is a conversation about resilience, accountability, and the fight for justice. If you want to learn more about environmental equity and the real-life consequences of corporate pollution, this is an episode you don't want to miss.Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

In this episode, we welcome back Savannah Domenech for a deep dive into the rise and fall of Kodak— and the lasting environmental and social impacts on Rochester, New York. Once a corporate giant that defined photography for generations, Kodak was more than just a company — it was the backbone of an entire community. Savannah unpacks Kodak's golden era, its contributions to Rochester, and how it became synonymous with job security and innovation. But, as the company declined, so did its reputation, with environmental disasters, mass layoffs, and lingering pollution leaving a lasting mark on the city and its people.Was Kodak a benevolent giant, or just another corporation prioritizing profits over people? How did the Rochester community respond when faced with toxic spills and economic downturns? And what lessons can we learn from Kodak's environmental justice legacy?Join us for an eye-opening conversation that connects history, business, and environmental responsibility. If you're interested in corporate accountability, community resilience, and the real-world impacts of industrial decline, this episode is a must-listen.Resources: Pollution By Kodak Brings Sense Of Betrayal - NY TimesThe Environmental Ruin of Kodak - Psychology TodayConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

For many, fighting for environmental justice means pushing polluters to stop poisoning our air and water. It means shutting down non-compliant factories and industrial facilities that refuse to follow the law. However, environmental justice issues can persist long after these facilities shut down or stop polluting. It's called "legacy environmental (in)justice", where the pollution of the past continues to impact our present. Not much has been said on this, but it's something that we need to discuss and confront wherever we see it.On this episode, we begin our discussion about legacy environmental justice with Savannah Domenech, a Senior majoring in Environmental Management at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. (And she promised to stay with us for several episodes on this topic.)So let's get into it!Resources: A Primer on Legacy Pollution - PBSLegacy Pollution and Health - University of WisconsinConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comSupport our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support  Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! 

Happy New Year and welcome to Season 4 of the Environmental Justice Lab. We have a lot of amazing stories and analysis planned for this season. From thinking through the implications of a new president in the United States for EJ work to examining topics like legacy environmental justice to lifting up marginalized voices around the world, we are going to be getting deep this year. Stay with us! Connect with us! And support us!Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comSupport our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! 

It's the holiday season, and we are coming to the end of another amazing season of the Environmental Justice Lab Podcast. And to finish the year strong, we have a 2-part conversation with the El-Sayeghs. They are a dynamic father-daughter duo of Palestinian engineers who care deeply about environmental justice and equity. I hope you enjoy these episodes as much as I enjoyed recording them. So let's get into Part 1 of my conversation with the El-Sayeghs! Resources:Five Myths about Israel & PalestineVoices from Gaza  Reports from B'Tselem (Israeli Human Rights Organization) Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

We are talking about infrastructure apartheid. Infrastructure can play an important role in social inclusion and economic growth. However, when infrastructure is inadequate, it can lead to social exclusion, poverty, and poor health. The fact that some people in some places have more better, more resilient, more effective infrastructure than others is not an accident. Decisions are being made that keep people from enjoying the quality of infrastructure that would allow them to live healthy, whole lives, while others have an overabundance of high-quality systems and infrastructure. It's not right.So let's talk about it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab. Resources: How infrastructure has historically promoted inequality - PBS News‘Infrastructure apartheid': Africatown's fight against toxins, new toll bridgeGreen Apartheid: Urban green infrastructure remains unequally distributed across income and race geographies in South Africa - Journal of Landscape and Urban PlanningIsrael's Apartheid against Palestinians - Amnesty International    Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

We are (still) talking about food apartheid. While the United Nations has the goal of a world free from hunger by 2030, the reality is that because of these inequitable food systems, we are far from that goal. From conflict to climate change, there is a lot that is keeping us from living in a hunger-free world. So let's get into it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab. Resources:Food Apartheid - ReGeneration.Food Apartheid | Why we should change the way we talk about food desertsGlobal Food Crisis - World Food ProgrammeViolence and the Right to Food - The Situation in PalestineThe Question of Palestine: The Right to Food - United Nations (2003)   Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support  

We are still talking about food apartheid. The fact that some people in some places have more food choices that they need, while others have no good food choices at all. And on this episode, we are focusing on how food apartheid shows itself in the United States. Trust me, it's not an accident. People are making decisions that keep healthy foods in some neighborhoods and keeps them out of other neighborhoods. It's not right.So let's talk about it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab. Resources: USDA's Legacy of Discrimination - Environmental Working GroupHow corporations buy - and sell - food made with prison labor - The CounterSupermarket Redlining Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support  

We are talking about food apartheid. The fact that some people in some places have more food choices that they need, while others have no good food choices at all. And it's not an accident. Decisions are being made that keep healthy foods in some neighborhoods and keeps them out of other neighborhoods. It's not right.So let's get into it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab. Resources: Food Apartheid: Racialized Access to Healthy Affordable FoodFood Swamps Predict Obesity Rates Better Than Food Deserts in the United States   Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comSupport our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! 

Since the early 20th century, plastic has been around and has dominated US consumerism. Unfortunately, it hurts the planet in all phases of its life cycle– from when it's produced (emitting greenhouse gases), to when it's used (releasing microplastics), to when it's discarded (rotting in landfills). That being said, everyone knows its negative impact on the environment, but nothing major has been done to reduce this planet-destroying product. So today, we are talking about plastic pollution, but specifically zeroing in the last phase of its life and where it is discarded: developing nations.Let's explore the research behind it. Join us! Resources: US generates more plastic trash than any other nation - National GeographicHow the fossil fuel industry is pushing plastics on the world - CNBC Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

Climate Apartheid. This phrase, coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, describes the ways in which the wealthy and well-connected insulate themselves from the impacts of climate change, while the rest of are left to suffer from them. This two-tiered way of dealing with climate change leaves the vulnerable behind and creates a world where there are two different climate realities. We have to work to identify and dismantle climate apartheid wherever we see it. So let's get into it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab.Resources:'I dare not be quiet': What climate activist Ndelika Mandela learned from her granddad - National Public RadioUN expert condemns failure to address impact of climate change on poverty – United Nations Commission on Human RightsClimate Apartheid: The Forgetting of Race in the Antropocene Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comSupport our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

Apartheid. It's not a word that you can just throw around. When it's used, it suggests a systematic, deliberate, intentional effort to subjugate and oppress another group with full governmental support. It started in South Africa. It was present in the United States of America. It's happening now to Palestinians. And now it's happening to our environment.It's called “Environmental Apartheid”. And we need to call it out. Name it. Dismantle it. But first, we need to educate ourselves and be aware of how it functions around us.So let's get into it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab.Resources:A History of Apartheid in South AfricaEnvironmental Apartheid: Eco-health and Rural Marginalization in South Africa - Journal of Rural StudiesAmerican ApartheidThe Legacy of American Apartheid and Environmental RacismInfrastructure Apartheid with Dr. Maya Carrasquillo - Cities @ Tufts Podcast Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support

The time is now. It's time to get off of the sideline. It's time to educate and advocate. Educate yourself on the issues that plague the Occupied Palestinian Territories, otherwise known as Palestine. Then, after you have educated yourself, it's time to advocate. Advocate for the Palestinian people. Advocate for freedom and justice to reign in the region.The time is now. #freepalestine #ceasefirenow(A few) Advocacy Groups: Churches for Middle East PeaceJewish Voices For PeaceIf Not Now MovementResources: Six ways to support Palestinians in Gaza - American Friends Service CommitteeHow to help Palestine - Palestine Children's Relief FundTrusted Organizations to Donate to in Palestine - Build Palestine Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support.

War is raging in Gaza. People are being killed. Homes and schools and hospitals are being destroyed. Famine has ravaged the land. But there is also something else going on. Ecocide. The complete and utter destruction of the environment in Gaza. Water infrastructure has been destroyed. Wastewater infrastructure has been decimated. Soil is contaminated. The air is unbreathable. We do not talk enough about how war destroys the environment and exacerbates climate change. Well, we're talking about it today. Starting with Gaza…  Resources: The UN is investigating the environmental impact of the war in Gaza - EuroNewsEmissions from Israel's war in Gaza have "immense" effect on climate catastrophe - The GuardianLegal Definition of "Ecocide" - Stop Ecocide Foundation  Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support.

You need water to live. I need water to live. Everyone needs water to live. However, in Palestine, the necessary amount of water is not flowing to the Palestinians. It's not just a matter of water insecurity. It's water injustice. It's water apartheid. And it needs to stop. So let's talk about it.... #ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestineResources:The Occupation of Water - Amnesty International (11/2017)Palestinians struggle to get water - Al Jazeera (08/2023)Gaza children face acute water and sanitation crisis - UNICEF (09/2017)Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support.

Food justice and food sovereignty are hallmarks of a free society. The ability to get the food you need, when you need it, is critical for any group of people to flourish. However, this is not the case in Palestine.Long before the current war on Gaza, food justice and food sovereignty were not present. And we need to talk about it.... #ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestineResources:Palestine - World Food ProgrammeRestrictions on food sovereignty in Palestine - Visualizing PalestineConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support.

Peace requires environmental justice. That's it. #ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestine Resources:Peace will require environmental justice - The Century FoundationConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comWe love and appreciate everyone who listens to the podcast. Go to the link to financially support this work: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

We need to talk about Palestine. I've been avoiding it. My guess is that you have been avoiding it. But we cannot avoid it any longer.Too many deaths. Too many parentless children. Too many environmental injustices. It's time to talk about it and take a stand.So I'm going to try and talk about it....#ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestine Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comWe love and appreciate everyone who listens to the podcast. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support.

DEI. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. With the proliferation of DEI offices, officers, divisions, and initiatives, are we actually seeing more justice done in our communities? Are our institutions more equitable? Is it leading to environmental justice and equity for all? And how are we talking about DEI when issues related to justice come up?We need to talk about it. Resources:What is DEI? Failure of the DEI Industrial Complex - The Harvard Business ReviewConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comWe love and appreciate everyone who listens to the podcast. Click here to financially support this work with a small monthly donation.

Race. According to researchers, it's the #1 characteristic that informs the presence of environmental injustice. However, I've noticed that in the literature and in the discourse around environmental justice, many of us are not willing to explicitly state WHO is being treated unfairly. We do not say “Black” or “Indigenous” or whoever else. Instead, I see phrases like “communities of color” or “minorities” or “underserved populations”. We need to change that. We need to change our language around justice so we let people know exactly who we are talking about when we talk about them. On this episode, I suggest that we change how we talk about these groups of people. Let's be precise and direct and deliberate, so that there is no confusion. Let's talk about it! Resources:Race and Ethnicity - American Psychological AssociationRace: The Power of an Illusion - PBSConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Equity. Equality. There is a difference. And understanding the difference will determine what we actually advocate for when we fight for justice. It's the difference between fighting for what THEY have or fighting for what YOU NEED. It's the difference between advocating for the same RESOURCES or advocating for the same OPPORTUNITIES and the same ACCESS. It's the difference between demanding changes to the allocation of FUNDING and demanding changes to the operation of the SYSTEM. So let's explore it! You're in the right place….Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first episode of Season 3 of the Environmental Justice Lab. On this episode, we are looking at the "language of justice", how we talk about what we talk about. In order to be most effective, we need to make sure that we are clear and precise with our language, especially as we bring awareness to environmental justice issues and the impacted communities. So let's talk about it! Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

We made it through 2023! Give yourselves a hand! On this bonus episode, I reflect on many of the big topics that we discussed throughout the year, as well as some topics that you can expect from us in 2024. We had a great year, and next year is going to be even better. We have even launched a YouTube channel! So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from the Environmental Justice Lab! Give someone a hug, tell them that you love them, and enjoy this final episode of the year.Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabFacebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

We have a special episode for you today. In our ongoing commitment to amplify voices, particularly our youth who are doing amazing things, we get to hear from two young ladies, Laina Digeronimo and Eva Ko, who are students at Laurel School, an all-girls high school in Ohio. They just finished their first environmental justice semester in school, and they are sharing a conversation that they had with the founder of Redhouse Studio, a pioneer in sustainable architecture and construction. These young ladies did a great job with their episode, and I know that you are going to enjoy it! Resources: Environmental Justice Semester at the Laurel SchoolLaurel School on InstagramRedhouse Studio Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

We're talking about food justice today. With the holiday season officially here, many of us are planning meals and parties and get-togethers with lots of eating involved. With that in mind, I want to bring to your attention the reality that many people around us struggle to get the food that they need. Not because they can't afford it. Not because they choose to eat unhealthy food. Simply because they live in an area where healthy foods are not available. They do not need your pity.They do not need your handout.They do not need your food drive.They need food justice. Let's talk about it!Resources: Food Justice - Boston University Community Service CenterThe Fight for Food Justice - The Union of Concerned ScientistsDo you live in a "Low Food Access" area?Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

This episode hits close to home. As we conclude our discussion on prisons, I share how the jails in my home state of South Carolina (in the United States of America) are under federal investigation for the ways that they are operated. These issues are not foreign. They are right here in my backyard. Let's talk about it!Resources: DOJ opens civil rights probes into South Carolina jails beset by deaths and violence - National Public Radio (NPR)South Carolina Jails to Be Investigated After Reports of Abuse and Violence - NY TimesConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Climate change is causing natural disasters to increase in frequency and severity. At the time of this episode, Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane, tore through Acapulco, Mexico, killing at least 27 people and destroying everything in its way. And while it's dangerous for everyone who is in the path of a major hurricane or storm, if you are in prison or jail, it's exponentially more dangerous. People who are incarcerated are vulnerable to natural disasters in ways that the vast majority are not, and we need to talk about it.Let's get into it on this episode! Stay tuned!Resources: Prisons and Extreme WeatherCriminal Justice in the Age of Climate ChangeCOVID-19 in Prisons and Jails Guidance from CDC on Hurricane PreparednessConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

On this bonus episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Susan Frey, who is the spokesperson for the Thacker Pass Working Group. Her group has been fighting for environmental justice in the face of a large lithium mine being developed in her rural community in Nevada. There are so many issues that she touched on in our conversation: drilling, mineral rights, green energy, environmental injustice, (lack of) community engagement. Mining is a big issue in the western part of the United States, particularly in Nevada. It was a fascinating discussion. Listen and learn about the process and perils of mining in the West. Enjoy our conversation!Resources: Lithium mining put rural and indigenous communities at the center of the energy transitionMining for Clean Energy Could Undermine Biden's Environmental Justice GoalsHarmful mining operations throughout NevadaEnvironmental issues associated with nearby minesConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Water is essential for life. WIthout access to clean drinking water, your life will be filled with sickness and death, guaranteed. And unfortunately for many prisoners around the world, this is what their life is like. Living everyday with no assurances that the water that they will drink will be safe and clean. In Part 4 of our series on “Prisoners'', we are talking about the lack of access to clean water that many prisoners face each and every day. They have no choice. They have no voice. They have no agency over their surroundings. Many of them are forced to drink dirty, contaminated water every day. It's a big problem. Let's talk about it on this episode. Stay tuned!.Resources: Cruel and Unusual: Contaminated Water in New York PrisonsSentenced to Dirty Water - Water Contamination in Illinois PrisonWater and Sanitation - Global Prison Trends 2022Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

BONUS EPISODE: Listen to my conversation with John Renourad, Founder of WHOLives. They are providing clean water to people all over the developing world.ABOUT WHOLivesWHOlives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on empowering people with clean water in the developing world and advocating for girls by ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriages. The organization's goal is in the acronym WHO – providing clean Water, better Health and economic Opportunities to all people – while prioritizing sustainability and self-reliance. Since 2011, WHOlives has drilled more than 13,000 wells in about 40 countries using its revolutionary human-powered Village Drill, securing clean water for more than 12 million people. In the effort to end FGM, common-sense solutions and leadership have already resulted in a wave of arrests and convictions since fall 2022. Connect with WHOlives.org on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.ABOUT JOHN RENOUARDJohn Renouard, founder and executive director of the nonprofit WHOlives, is known affectionately in Africa as “Bwana Maji,” or Mr. Water. After visiting in 2010, he knew he had to do something about the lack of clean water in many African villages. John worked with engineering students to bring to life his dream of a human-powered drill that could access clean water hundreds of feet deep. The Village Drill has since created more than 13,000 wells in about 40 countries, empowering more than 12 million people with clean water, health and opportunity. John is also making major progress in the fight against child marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kenya. The American Red Cross presented him an International Hero Award in 2015. Connect with John at WHOlives.org or on LinkedIn.Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

In Part 3 of our series on “Prisoners'', we are talking about the effect that heat has on people who are incarcerated. We understand the impacts that heatwaves and overall climate change are having in the general population and among certain vulnerable communities. But what is it doing to the people who live in prisons? What is happening to them?We talk about it on this episode. Stay tuned!.Resources: Heat-related mortality in U.S. state and private prisons: A case-crossover analysisCBS Report on heat in Texas prisonsPrison Heat - Last Week Tonight with John OliverConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelabFacebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

In Part 2 of our series on “Prisoners”, we are talking about where prisons are located. Prisons are often built in some of the worst areas in the country. Landfills. Toxic waste sites. Abandoned sites. For instance, one-third of federal and state prisons are located near a Superfund site, which is the most severely contaminated areas. The siting of prisons represents a significant environmental injustice for the prisoners and those who work at the facilities. We need to talk about why this is happening and what it does to the people who are exposed to these polluting areas. So let's talk about it.Resources: America's Toxic Prisons - The Environmental Injustices of Mass IncarcerationEnvironmental Racism, Incarceration, and Toxic Prisons in the U.SThe presence of Superfund sites as a determinant of life expectancy in the United StatesMedical costs and lost productivity from health conditions at volatile organic compound-contaminated Superfund sitesConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelabFacebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

We need to talk about prisoners. People who are incarcerated. The living conditions, the environment in which they are surrounded, are often not fit for human beings. In many ways, they are the world's largest and forgotten environmental justice community, and we need to start talking about them and the environmental hazards and issues that many prisoners deal with on a daily basis. But before we talk about those issues, we need to make sure that we view people who are in prison correctly. They are simply “criminals” or “undesirables” or “scum”. They are people. They are people first and foremost. And this episode is here to remind each of us of that reality.Prisoners are people.Resources: Incarceration Rates per capita by countryRanking of Safest Countries around the worldForgotten Behind Bars - Amnesty InternationalConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

For our final installment in our “EJ with EWB” series, we talk to Gerard Dalziel, Chief Engineer, and Eric Lundborg, Senior Program Engineer, both of whom deal extensively with the technical aspects of the design and implementation of the projects performed by EWB-USA. We talked about the realities of climate change and environmental justice need to be incorporated into the design of engineered projects and how each project is carefully reviewed and quality-controlled to deliver the best product, regardless of the partner or the location. They also talked about the early stages of discussions and analysis related to climate change and environmental justice that led to the development of the Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative. Enjoy our conversation!Resources: The Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelabFacebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

I just wanted to take a second and reflect on everything that we've learned about EWB-USA, their Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative, and doing development work here and abroad. There is a lot that we can learn from our conversations with EWB!Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

For our third installment in our “EJ with EWB” series, we talk to Natalie Celmo and Ellie Carley of EWB-USA, both of who lead the Community Engineering Corps (CECorps). CECorps works with communities across the United States that are unable to easily retain or afford traditional engineering services. We were able to discuss the path that Ellie and Natalie both took to get to EWB-USA and the origins of CECorps. They also spoke about why it's so important for EWB-USA to do engineering work in the United States, along with the reality that environmental injustice and a lack of basic services is a major problem in the United States, as well as around the world. Enjoy our conversation!Resources: The Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative Community Engineering Corps (CECorps)"Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States" - by the US Water AllianceConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

For our second installment in our “EJ with EWB” series, we talk to Scott Gregory, Program Engineer for EWB-USA, who leads the International Community Program. We talked about his background as a civil engineer, his re-entry into school, his passion for international development, and his life as a humanitarian engineer. (Oh, and the Environmental Justice and Climate Initative!) Enjoy our conversation!Resources: The Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative Application to Request Engineering Services from EWB-USAConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

For our first conversation in our “EJ with EWB” series, we meet Kellianne McClain, the Officer of Individual Giving, who is also the brainchild behind the Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative. We talked about her background as an activist and fundraiser, the origins of EWB-USA, human rights, and we learned even more about this initiative and how to get involved. Enjoy our conversation!Resources: The Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative Tedx Talk by EWB-USA Founder, Dr. Bernard AmadeiConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) has rolled out their new Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative, and for the entire month of July, we at the Environmental Justice Lab have been given opportunities to talk to officers, engineers, and program managers at EWB to learn more about this initiative, to ask questions, and to get a better understanding of what it will actually accomplish.We're calling it “EJ with EWB”. We have a great lineup of episodes all month long, dedicated to learning more about this initiative.On this bonus episode, I share my personal experience with Engineers Without Borders, why I'm a big fan of EWB, and some of the questions that I want to pose to our guests throughout the month of July. It's going to be great!Learn More about Engineers Without Borders – USA: Engineers Without Borders - USA The Environmental Justice and Climate Resiliency Initiative Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or “PFAS”, has been in the news a lot lately. From the EPA's proposed drinking water regulations to the $10.3 billion settlement to be paid by 3M, PFAS is starting to be recognized as a significant threat to our public health. But what you may not have heard is that the presence of PFAS in our environment is a major environmental justice issue as well. That is what our guest, Jahred Liddie, helps us understand on this episode. Jahred Liddie is a PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental Health in the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University. He specializes in PFAS contamination, particularly in community water systems, and the underlying environmental justice issues that result from exposure to PFAS. He stopped by the podcast to share his research on PFAS and to help us understand why PFAS exposure is an environmental justice concern. Resources: PFAS and Environmental Justice - J. Liddie et al., 2023TIME Magazine: 3M's Historic $10 Billion 'Forever Chemical' Payout Is Just The Tip of the PFAS IcebergProposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation by US Environmental Protection Agency Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

It is vitally important that, as we fight for environmental justice in our communities, we teach our children and the next generation about these issues and continue to encourage to be a part of the solution. So, for my first interview on the podcast, I talk to my 11-year-old daughter, Jael Joseph. She shared her thoughts on the environment, the state of environmental education in her school, and some proposals for how to protect the environment. She is very insightful and passionate about the environment, and I know you will enjoy hearing her perspective.Enjoy this episode! Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

On June 6, large patches of wildfire smoke came down from the Canadian wildfires and covered major cities throughout the northern parts of the United States. Meanwhile, the wildfires in Canada are continuing to rage throughout Canada and the impacts of those wildfires are being felt all across North America. We need to talk about these wildfires. Not just how severe they are, but also how climate change is driving the intensity of these wildfires. And we need to talk about the environmental justice implications of these wildfires. Let's get right to it! More on the Canadian Wildfires: Wildfires in the Alberta province Wildfires reported by QuebecHow did the Canadian wildfires start?Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelabFacebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Sometimes you just need some encouragement. I know I do. This episode is here to provide some encouraging examples of environmental and climate justice wins in the United States and around the world. No matter how difficult it seems, we are making this world a better, healthier place where everyone can flourish. So let this episode encourage you as you fight for environmental justice!Additional Reading: UNEP - Healthy Environment, Healthy PeopleThe Global Citizen - Six of the Most Extreme & Effective Environmental Bans in the WorldConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

We are at the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are going to close out our series with a discussion about the mental health impacts of climate change. Climate change is a major issue throughout the world, and its impacts are felt far and wide. However, not much is said about how the impacts of climate change can affect us mentally. So we are talking about it today. Join us!Learn more:Climate Change 2023 - IPCCChapter 7 of IPCC Report - Health, wellbeing and the changing structure of communitiesMental Health and our changing climate - American Psychological AssociationCrime, Weather, and Climate ChangeConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community:Instagram: @envjusticelabFacebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!

Toxic contamination has been shown to have significant, adverse physical health impacts. However, the mental health impacts of exposure to toxic contamination are not often discussed.On this episode, we are discussing the mental health impacts of air pollution. Toxic air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM) disproportionately impact people of color, and there is a large amount of research that connects it to severe mental health disorders. Let's explore the research behind it. Join us! Learn more: Air Pollution's Impact on Mental Health PM2.5 polluters disproportionately and systemically affect people of color in the United StatesAir pollution, depressive and anxiety disorders, and brain effects: A systematic review Air pollution and mental health: associations, mechanisms and methods Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

Toxic contamination has been shown to have significant, adverse physical health impacts. However, the mental health impacts of exposure to toxic contamination is not often discussed.On this episode, we are discussing the mental health impacts of lead exposure. Lead is a major issue in the United States and around the world, and there is a large amount of research that connects lead contamination to severe mental health disorders for both children and adults. Let's explore the research behind it. Join us!Learn more:2020 UNICEF Report – The Toxic TruthThe intersectional effect of poverty, home ownership, and racial/ethnic composition on mean childhood blood lead levels in Milwaukee County neighborhoodsEarly-life lead exposure and neurodevelopmental disordersProspective associations between childhood low-level lead exposure and adult mental health problems: The Port Pirie cohort studyAssociation of Childhood Lead Exposure With Adult Personality Traits and Lifelong Mental HealthConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab Facebook: www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalJusticeLabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!