Not My City: The Fight to End Climate Injustice in Cities Across the US

The year is 2014. You can’t turn on the television, log on to social media, or even read the internet without seeing something about the Flint Water Crisis. And it makes sense. The Flint Water Crisis overtook many conversations and opened many people’s eyes to the notion of environmental racism and climate injustice.

When the city switched its water supply source, the impact was disastrous to the residents of Flint. Lead and bacteria in their water? Not cool! This crisis showed that climate injustice and environmental racism are direct results of systemic neglect, and it’s the citizens of these communities who suffer most. While we’re grateful that Flint opened the door to more conversations about these topics, it’s not the only city drastically affected by this problem.

The four cities below are home to a few of our DoSomething members who recognize the negative impact of climate change. Learn more about these cities that have been disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, as well as our members’ vision for a greener future.

Newark, New Jersey

Residents of Newark, New Jersey are no strangers to climate injustice and environmental racism in their city. In the areas surrounding Newark, you’ll find factories, chemical refineries, garbage incinerators, and four Superfund sites. Superfund sites are contaminated areas where hazardous materials have been dumped and require a long-term cleanup solution. Newark residents, who are mostly people of color, have high asthma rates that are three times the national average. This is largely due to air pollution. More recently, residents dealt with water pollution when lead contaminated the city’s drinking water.

As DoSomething member Gianna shared,

“The Newark Lead Crisis has had such a negative impact on the climate and the state. Tests revealed a lot of lead contamination across Newark, which is the State’s largest city. Newark struggled with outdated lead plumbing infrastructure. Lead contaminated waters means that basic human rights are not being met. Basic human rights means things such as access to clean water and an infrastructure that people can depend on.”

We couldn’t agree more with Gianna. And we’re glad to see our members shine a light on these communities and envision a better future.

St. James Parish, Louisiana

St. James Parish, Louisiana is located in an area known as “Cancer or Death Alley”. The multiple petrochemical plants in the surrounding areas emit a colorless cancer-causing gas that has poisoned the air, water, and land, disproportionately impacting the Black communities that reside there. This area is the United States’ top hotspot for toxic air and cancer risks and even led UN officials to issue a report condemning the environmental racism in “cancer alley”. Now, a major corporation known for its contamination of water and air wants to build a complex that would emit more cancer-causing chemicals, further harming the residents and the environment.

DoSomething member Jada, a resident of Louisiana, recognizes the negative impact of environmental racism in her community, and is committed to making a change. Jada is using her voice to speak up against these injustices and demanding that elected officials take bold action to combat the climate crisis.

“Being from New Orleans, we have plants that emit greenhouse gasses and contain hundreds of different chemicals. Our city is known to be the cancer alley. My vision for a greener future is cleaning up sites and places where damage has been done and calling out the officials who are making decisions that are not in the best interest of the people they represent. It won't be easy, but it is a start to a better future for everyone.”

Phoenix, Arizona

The average summer temperature exceeds 100 degrees in Phoenix, Arizona. The country’s fifth-most populous city is considered an urban heat island, resulting in hundreds of deaths each year. For low-income residents, accessing air conditioning is extremely costly. Black residents, who make up about 7 percent of the population, are also the most impacted by the extreme heat. Air pollution and poor water quality also affect the Latinx community disproportionately. The extreme ozone pollution ranks Phoenix as having the fifth-worst air quality in the U.S.

DoSomething member Peter M., a resident from the west side of Phoenix, shares,

“My vision for a greener future is to have high paying green jobs based on my side of town. Green jobs promote a cleaner society, love for your environment, and hope for the future. Jobs that are both green in nature and well paying could change the landscape of West Phoenix, both figuratively and literally. Let’s hope for a Greener Future!”

And can we just say that we love Peter’s way of thinking. Green jobs for a green future! And hopefully a better lifestyle for all residents.

Kivalina, Alaska

Kivalina, Alaska may have an extremely small population, but by 2025, it will be deemed uninhabitable due to rising sea levels. The lands of Kivalina are ancestral lands belonging to a Native tribe. Warmer temperatures have led to accelerated erosion, rising sea levels, vanishing sea ice, and melting permafrost. Even fish and wildlife migration patterns have shifted, affecting residents who rely on this for their food. The worsening climate crisis means that Kivalina residents may face displacement and lose their homes and ancestral lands.

Alaska resident and DoSomething member Hayden shared the startling reality of many indigenous communities in their state.

“The indigenous communities in my home state Alaska continue to suffer from climate change and the greed causing it. Warming temperatures eroded the ice that protects rural indigenous towns' banks from eroding, destroying homes and communities, and forcing natives to emigrate at great costs away from their homes and cultures.”

We love that Hayden also shared what a greener future in Alaska could look like!

“My vision for a better future is to ban non-renewable energy sources and return power to the people. This will allow local communities to manage the lands they have protected for centuries and prevent the destruction of our ecosystem to monetarily benefit outside interests.”

While cities like Flint, Michigan prompted important conversations surrounding climate injustice and environmental racism, there is still work to be done! As we’ve shared, cities all over the nation are being disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, and it’s time for action to be taken! Now is the perfect time to advocate for equitable solutions in your community.

Check out our See Us, Hear Us: Climate Justice campaign where you can share your stories and envision a greener future for all.