Back

Director's Picks

More Toxic Ash Unearthed Near Housing Site

Summary

Environmental hazards have emerged at the 800 Middle Street low-income housing project in East Houston, as tree removal has exposed large amounts of toxic ash. This ash contains dangerous chemicals, including lead, dioxins, barium, and arsenic. Neighborhood activist Alan Atkinson raises concerns about environmental racism, noting that low-income families have no choice but to live in these hazardous conditions. Despite these revelations and extensive reporting on the health risks, the Houston Housing Authority is continuing with the $130 million taxpayer-funded project, aiming to move residents in by the end of the year. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle between development and environmental justice.

discover more

October 10, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

In 2024, Houston has experienced 116 unauthorized air pollution events, with nearly half related to flaring from industrial facilities. These events, occurring every 2.5 days

October 10, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Hurricane Milton struck Florida just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, exacerbating the state's recovery efforts. Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread

October 9, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

A new study from Princeton University advocates for coal plant retirement strategies that prioritize climate and environmental equity, rather than just minimizing costs.

October 9, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a mobile solar microgrid was deployed to assist recovery efforts in Georgia. Managed by the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist

October 9, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

FEMA is grappling with financial and staffing shortages as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, just weeks after Hurricane Helene's devastation. Despite receiving $20 billion

October 6, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

An analysis reveals how Texas’ once-thorough air pollution monitoring team has been significantly weakened since the fracking boom. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s

October 4, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has reached an agreement with Alabama's transportation department over claims that a highway expansion caused flooding in the historicall

October 4, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Hurricane Helene's estimated damage cost has skyrocketed to $225-250 billion, making it one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history. The destruction spans from Florida to Tennesse

October 3, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, Maine, received $7.5 million from the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program to develop a distributed microgrid. This

October 3, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

A carbon capture monitoring well at Archer-Daniels-Midland’s (ADM) facility in Decatur, Illinois, leaked CO2, but most residents only learned of it through media reports. The EPA

October 2, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

This article explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding "managed retreat," where local governments offer buyouts to residents in climate-vulnerable areas. While some communities

September 30, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

A shelter-in-place order affecting over 90,000 residents near Atlanta, Georgia, was lifted after a weekend chemical fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers. The fire produced a toxic

September 29, 2024

This article challenges misconceptions about the clean energy transition, arguing that it can spur economic prosperity rather than sacrifice. Ben Jealous highlights the success of

September 28, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Richmond, California, a predominantly minority, low-income community, fought a 20-year battle for environmental justice, culminating in the creation of a protected public park at

September 27, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has updated its MiEJScreen tool, which maps how environmental contamination intersects with health