Back

Director's Picks

There is a nature gap, but we can fix that

Summary

The "nature gap," which limits access to green spaces for low-income and minority communities, has significant implications for public health and environmental justice. Statistics reveal that 74% of communities of color live in areas with nature deficits compared to 23% of white communities. Addressing this issue involves investing in urban tree planting, enhancing public transportation to parks, and supporting outdoor-equity projects. Initiatives like the American Climate Corps and the EXPLORE Act aim to bridge this gap, fostering equitable access to nature and improving overall community well-being.

discover more

May 5, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Residents of East Houston, like Angela Jackson, are fed up with the overwhelming stench and illegal dumping near the McCarty Road Landfill...

May 1, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Trump administration’s EPA is terminating over $2.4 billion in environmental justice grants, mostly aiding poor and minority communities...

April 28, 2025
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism

Juan and Ana Parras founded T.E.J.A.S. to combat environmental racism in Houston’s industrial corridors, leveraging decades of grassroots organizing to empower...

April 17, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

A Tulane study confirms long-standing claims that Black communities in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley" suffer disproportionate pollution while being excluded from both high...

April 11, 2025
Climate
Climate

A $378 million funding delay to LIHEAP after mass HHS layoffs threatens vital cooling aid for low-income Americans amid intensifying heat waves.

April 9, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation

A federal appeals court ruled a lawsuit can proceed against St. James Parish, Louisiana, for alleged racist land-use policies...

April 9, 2025
Climate
Climate

Trump administration terminated NASA's contract supporting staff for the U.S. National Climate Assessment, potentially crippling its development...

April 9, 2025

President Trump rescinded federal flood standards requiring climate-resilient rebuilding, raising concerns that taxpayer-funded infrastructure...

April 6, 2025

The Trump administration plans to close the Community Relations Service, a Justice Department office created in 1964 to mediate racial tensions, sparking concerns...

April 5, 2025

The USDA resumed clean energy grants but encouraged recipients to strip diversity and climate goals, raising concerns about political interference and uncertainty over funding...

April 4, 2025
Civil Rights & Human Rights
Civil Rights & Human Rights

The article reflects on Dr. King’s enduring legacy, urging continued resistance against systemic oppression through community building, political courage, and cultural...

April 3, 2025

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated 483 census tracts as Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZs).

April 2, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

The Trump administration is halting federal support for climate-friendly transit projects in Democratic-led states, threatening funding...

March 31, 2025
Food & Water Justice
Food & Water Justice

A $1 billion groundwater pipeline project to supply booming Central Texas cities has ignited a legal battle over aquifer rights, exposing the limits...

February 28, 2025
Economic Justice
Economic Justice

Climate disasters cost U.S. farmers over $20 billion in 2024, yet most federal aid favors large commodity producers...