Back

Director's Picks

Movement to return land taken from Black and Indigenous people in the U.S. gains momentum

Summary

A movement to return land taken from Black and Indigenous people in the United States is gaining momentum. California has been at the forefront of this movement, leading the way in returning land to the descendants of the dispossessed, including African Americans and Native Americans. The story of Bruce's Beach in Southern California illustrates the challenges faced in recovering lost wealth, community, and opportunities. The land, once owned by a Black couple who built a beach resort, was seized through racially motivated eminent domain. While the land has been returned to the Bruce family, they recently decided to sell it back to the county for nearly $20 million. The article highlights the efforts of activists and community members working to reclaim land and seek restitution for past injustices, providing a path forward for other groups and the original inhabitants of the land.

discover more

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

September 26, 2024

Black homeowners in Elba, Alabama, face a worsening flooding crisis as insurance companies pull out of the region due to climate change.

September 26, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Germany has equipped over 550,000 apartments with balcony solar systems, known as “balkonkraftwerk”, providing renters an accessible way to generate renewable energy.

September 26, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent but often overlooked greenhouse gas, has drawn increased attention as global efforts to combat climate change intensify.

September 26, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

The EPA has awarded $53 million in grants to 133 community groups to monitor air quality in underserved areas, aiming to address gaps in air monitoring.

September 26, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Following the tragic death of 12-year-old Yahushua Robinson during an extreme heatwave, California has enacted a new law aimed at protecting students from extreme weather.

September 23, 2024

An MIT study examines the increasing risks of heat exposure in U.S. prisons, highlighting how climate change worsens the vulnerability of incarcerated populations.

September 23, 2024
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism

Despite calls from the United Nations to address environmental discrimination in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," little progress has been made.

September 22, 2024

Louisiana's Black communities are facing severe health impacts from the rapid expansion of methane facilities

September 22, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

A new study examines how neighborhood perceptions influence gentrification, focusing on Houston's Northside, a predominantly Latino neighborhood.

September 20, 2024

Advocates are urging the EPA to continue enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, a critical tool in addressing environmental justice.

September 20, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Over the past 20 years, microplastics have been found in virtually every ecosystem, including the human body, with growing concerns about their potential harm.

September 19, 2024

Texas is experiencing significant growth in clean energy jobs, now employing over 250,000 workers, surpassing the oil and gas sector.

September 19, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

Researchers at Emory University are mapping tick populations in Georgia as rising temperatures, driven by climate change, expand the range of ticks like the lone star tick.

September 19, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change

New research published in *Earth’s Future* reveals that most U.S. cities have avoided building in floodplains since 2001, contradicting common assumptions about risky development.