Our Inspiration: Africatown, Alabama
While discussing what we did over the summer, one of my friends described his visit to a graveyard in Africa Town, Alabama. There, he documented the gravesites, and learned about the environmental racism that occurred there. This includes the surrounding paper mills, asphalt plants, petrochemical storage, and other heavy industries. He told me about the legacy of redlining and zoning laws which allowed heavy industries to be placed right next to residential homes.
When I learned about this, I was inspired to make this app in order to attempt to prevent future instances of environmental racism.
Africatown was founded by formerly enslaved Africans who arrived on the last known slave ship to the United States, the Clotilda, in 1860. Despite its profound historical significance, the community has been subjected to decades of industrial encroachment and pollution.
Today, residents continue to fight for environmental justice while preserving their unique cultural heritage. Their struggle exemplifies why tools like EcoJustice are necessary to identify patterns of environmental inequality and empower communities to advocate for change.
Understanding the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
The CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) uses 16 variables from U.S. Census data to identify communities that may need support before, during, or after disasters. Communities with higher SVI scores may be more vulnerable to environmental hazards and less able to recover from disasters.
EcoJustice uses SVI data as a critical component in identifying communities that may be disproportionately affected by environmental burdens. By overlaying SVI data with environmental hazard information, we can identify patterns of environmental injustice.
Why SVI Matters for Environmental Justice
Communities with high social vulnerability often face greater environmental burdens due to historical patterns of discrimination, lack of political power, and economic disinvestment. These communities may also have fewer resources to advocate for environmental protections or remediation.
The 16 SVI Variables Across Four Themes
Socioeconomic Status
- • Below 150% poverty
- • Unemployed
- • Housing Cost Burden
- • Health Insurance Status
- • High School Diploma Status
Household Composition
- • Aged 65 or older
- • Aged 17 or younger
- • Disability status
- • Single-parent households
Minority Status & Language
- • Racial/ethnic minority
- • Limited English proficiency
Housing & Transportation
- • Multi-unit structures
- • Mobile homes
- • Crowding
- • No vehicle
- • Group quarters
Environmental Racism: Historical Case Studies
Cancer Alley, Louisiana
Industrial corridor along the Mississippi River
The 85-mile stretch between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is home to over 150 petrochemical plants and refineries. This area, nicknamed "Cancer Alley," has cancer rates significantly higher than the national average, with predominantly Black communities bearing the brunt of this pollution.
The region's high concentration of industrial facilities in predominantly Black communities is a textbook example of environmental racism, with historical zoning decisions and industrial permitting favoring placement of hazardous facilities near communities of color.
Read the full case studyAltgeld Gardens, Chicago
Public housing surrounded by pollution
Built in 1945 on an abandoned landfill, the Altgeld Gardens housing project was surrounded by 50 landfills, hundreds of hazardous waste sites, and numerous industrial facilities. Known as a "toxic donut," this predominantly Black community faced extreme pollution.
The area became a focus of environmental justice organizing when resident Hazel Johnson formed People for Community Recovery in 1979. Her work earned her the title "mother of environmental justice" and brought national attention to the issue of environmental racism.
Read the full case studyNavajo Nation Uranium Mining
Decades of radioactive contamination
From 1944 to 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands, with the federal government as the primary purchaser. The mining operations employed many Navajo people who worked without proper protection or awareness of radiation risks.
The legacy of uranium mining left over 500 abandoned mines, widespread water contamination, and elevated rates of cancer and other health issues. Despite this, cleanup efforts have been slow, and many Navajo families continue to live with contamination decades later.
Read the full case studyFlint, Michigan
Water crisis and systemic environmental neglect
The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when the city's water source was changed without proper treatment, exposing residents to lead contamination and other toxins. The predominantly Black and low-income community's concerns were ignored by officials for months.
This crisis highlighted how environmental racism can manifest through neglect and disinvestment in infrastructure serving minority communities, as well as through the dismissal of community concerns by those in power.
Read the full case studyWhat You Can Do About Environmental Racism
1Get Informed
Use EcoJustice and other resources to understand the environmental conditions in your community. Knowledge is the first step toward meaningful action.
2Engage Your Community
Share information with neighbors and community members. Form or join local environmental justice groups to amplify your collective voice.
3Contact Local Officials
Reach out to city council members, county commissioners, and state representatives. Share the data and demand action on environmental hazards.
4Participate in Policy Process
Attend public meetings about zoning, permitting, and development. Submit public comments on proposed projects that could impact environmental health.
5Support Environmental Justice Organizations
Donate to or volunteer with organizations fighting for environmental justice at local, state, and national levels.
6Use Data for Advocacy
Create reports using data from EcoJustice to support your advocacy. Data-driven arguments can be powerful tools for change.