Environmental Justice & Our Clean Energy Future
Michael Grossman • June 22, 2023
Black & Brown Communities Hit Hardest By Pollution
It’s not a coincidence that many of New Jersey’s 114 Superfund sites, locations that receive federal funding for pollution cleanup, are located in low-income communities of color.
The impact of environmental racism on communities of color in New Jersey is deadly. Asthma is a major public health indicator in low-income Black and brown communities. The medical cost and lost job productivity directly resulting from costs associated with asthma in New Jersey is $450 million annually. Diesel pollution associated with mobile emissions in urban areas causes nearly 1,000 premature deaths and 1,300 non-fatal heart attacks annually.
Legislation has been introduced in both houses of the New Jersey legislature to make it the fifth state to encourage the production of less polluting fuel for cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes.
The American Lung Association's annual "State Of Our Air" report shows New Jerseyans are breathing unhealthy air. A clean fuel standard, like the one passed in four other states would help improve air quality.
New York Times Shines Light On Carbon Emissions
Fill It Up Clean, New Jersey!