Freeways and the Fight or Flight Response

Adding to the growing evidence of the health harms of freeways and auto-dependency, a recent study highlighted by Infrastructurist found that particulate matter from freeways triggers the fight or flight response in humans: Scientists at the University of Michigan, led by Dr. Robert Brook, found that [polluted air] can increase your blood pressure, and cause [...]

September 29, 2009 · Anson · No Comments
Tags: , , , ,  Â· Posted in: News

Toxic Waters

In a series entitled Toxic Waters, the New York Times has been chronicling hazards to the nation’s drinking water supply: Almost four decades after Congress passed the Clean Water Act, the rate of water pollution violations is rising steadily. In the past five years, companies and workplaces have violated pollution laws more than 500,000 times. [...]

September 28, 2009 · Anson · No Comments
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: News

What We Can Do!

Let us take action Let us take a stand As we march and clap our hands let our voices be heard We can all wonder and sit and ponder We can all say what if and whose who, but what I know is environmental justice is true Transit racism, pollution all things we fight against Opression [...]

August 15, 2009 · Travis · One Comment
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: Stories

Slow Traffic Move Right

I have been interning with Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), an Environmental Justice Organization in Huntington Park, since June. I drive through South LA and Vernon to get there, and once I get into Vernon, the traffic pattern changes immediately. I suddenly have to compete with enormous trucks for road space. Because the behemoths [...]

August 12, 2009 · Christine · No Comments
Tags: , , , , , ,  Â· Posted in: Stories

San Fransico Common Roots [Video of the Day]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVP9tHISmYk[/youtube]

August 8, 2009 · Travis · 2 Comments
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: Video of the Day

Pollution and IQ scores

A recent study has shown that high levels of pollution may lead to lower IQ scores in children.  This study was done in New York where pollution is just as much a problem as it is here in LA.  It was done by researchers at Columbia University which is a very prestigious Ivy league college. [...]

July 31, 2009 · Ryan · 2 Comments
Tags: ,  Â· Posted in: News

Pollution in California: What is being done?

Just recently California has received permission from the Environmental Protection Agency to impose new requirements that  could become the model for fighting pollution associated with global warming.  California finally received a waiver for it to pursue stricter air pollution laws that those that are required by the federal government.  It helped clear the way to [...]

July 28, 2009 · Ryan · 6 Comments
Tags: , , ,  Â· Posted in: News

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

The old Negro Spiritual after which I have named this post tells a happy tale for those who sing it, but the story of Mountain Top Removal Coal Mining will not end on a joyous note. MTR mining quite literally blows off the top off mountains with dynamite after clearing any forests and greenery in [...]

July 26, 2009 · Christine · 9 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , ,  Â· Posted in: News

Global warming: The heat is on the U.S.

Los Angeles Times printed a editorial talking about the pact made by nations to reduce the amount of green house gases.  “The club of industrialized nations agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050,” says the article. China and India are both not playing a role in the club of nations trying to stop [...]

July 14, 2009 · Cesar · One Comment
Tags: , , ,  Â· Posted in: News

Parting Words and Reflection

When I came into this program, I came in with a strong background in social justice and stuff around community rights. I knew a good amount of things here and there, but I can’t say that I really didn’t know much about environmental justice. What I have come to find through this program is that [...]

June 28, 2009 · Krys · No Comments
Tags: ,  Â· Posted in: Stories , Youth Training Institute