Lab #5

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University of Nebraska, Omaha *

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1050

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Geography

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Dec 6, 2023

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Name ______ N/A ________________ Section # ____5_____ Introduction to Human-Environment Geography (GEOG 1050) Laboratory Lab #5: Environmental Justice Introduction Environmental justice (EJ) is one of the key sub-topics of Human-Environment Geography that addresses the (in)equitable distribution of environmental burdens and benefits. We’ve seen definitions of EJ in lecture and in the textbook. Here, we’ll see the definition used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): “… the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all peoples, regardless of race, color, origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” The lack of this protection from hazards (i.e. health and/or environmental hazards) and the lack of ‘a seat at the table’ in the decision process is widespread across the world, including here in Omaha. For this lab, we will examine EJ issues spatially within the city limits and assess their prevalence in different communities. The primary objectives for today are to: 1. Become familiar with different environmental and demographical indices used to assess environmental justice prevalence. 2. Analyze environmental and demographic data to determine if, and where, environmental justice is of greatest concern in the Omaha area. Background Environmental Justice There are many facets to EJ, including the subsets that seek to achieve geographic, social, procedural, and generational equity. While all are critically important topics, and a part of the overall EJ social movement, we will only be examining geographic and social equity topics here in lab today. If you’d like to see some examples of generational equity, consider reading up on the Juliana v. United States court case in California. Additional examples are provided in the textbook. EJ Screen Mapper: EPA To visually analyze EJ in the Omaha area, we will be using the EPA’s EJ Screen Mapper: https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/ . This platform is effectively an online Geographic Information System (GIS) maintained by the EPA. It allows the user to plot up various spatial datasets of environmental and demographic variables, then compare them. The platform maintains approximately a dozen different environmental hazards or indicators, complied from multiple data sources (Table 1).

There are also a number of demographic indicators as well, such as total population, income levels, education, age, linguistic isolation (primary language other than English), race, and ethnicity, among others. All of these data (environmental and demographic) are displayed within different census tracks. EJSCREEN Data Data will be provided for various environmental and demographic indicators from EJSCREEN. Data are shown in terms of a percentile in either comparison to the state of Nebraska. A percentile is a measure to indicate the percentage of observation which are below a specific

observation. For instance, if one particular sample was in the 90% percentile, 90% of the other observations would be below the level of the particular sample. Data have been provided, but if you’d like access to the original GIS, find it here: https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/ Questions Part 1 – Geographic Equity 1. Using the Environmental Indicator map of PM 2.5, describe what the color bars in the legend (and on the map) represent physically? The red color represents PM 2.5 in the 95-100 percentile (the hottest). Orange represents PM 2.5 in the 90-95 percentile (second hottest). Yellow represents 2.5 PM in the 80-90 percentile. Dark grey represents 2.5 PM in the 70-80 percentile. Medium Light Grey represents 2.5 PM in the 60-70 percentile. Light grey represents 2.5 PM in the 50-60 percentile. The lightest grey represents 2.5 PM in the under 50 percentile. White means data is not available. 2. Where in town are the highest PM2.5 levels? Central and Downtown Omaha (Dodge and I-80) 3. Using the Environmental Indicator “Superfund Proximity”, describe where are people in closest proximity to a superfund site? Along the Missouri River up to Crater Lake, North Omaha and Downtown 4. What is the superfund site in Omaha for? Hint: OMAHA LEAD | Superfund Site Profile | Superfund Site Information | US EPA To identify areas with high lead contamination in the soil and remediate it by scooping it out and replacing it. “The Omaha Lead Superfund Site is comprised of residential properties, child-care centers, and other residential-type properties in the city of Omaha, Nebraska, where the surface soil is contaminated as a result of deposition of air emissions from historic lead smelting and refining operations. The health-based limit for lead in surface soil at residential locations is 400 parts per million (ppm). The site boundary encompasses 27 square miles and is centered on downtown Omaha, where two former lead-processing facilities operated.”

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5. Choose two other environmental indicator maps from the list on EJSCREEN. Examine the maps and describe where the highest values are within the Omaha area. Env. Indicator 1: _ Traffic Proximity Location of Highest Values: Boys Town, Millard by Industrial Road, Central Omaha and Downtown Omaha, Council Bluffs and North of Lake Manawa. Env. Indicator 2: ________ Lead Paint _________ Location of Highest Values: North Omaha, Lower Parts of Boys Town 6. Across the four variables examined (#2, #3, #6a, #6b), is there overlap between the regions exposed to higher environmental/health hazards? Where is/are those region(s)? Downtown and North Omaha tend to experience environmental hazards more than any other places. 7. Strictly in terms of geography (location within town, development of city, etc.), and temporarily disregarding demographic factors, what is unique about these regions such that they have higher proximity to environmental hazards? Aka why do you think those regions are the more hazardous regions? Some of these areas are older communities or industrial centers. The high concentration of industrial activity means they have a higher number of environmental hazards. These areas are close to traffic and have a higher concentration of lead paint. They are also near major highways and interstates. It’s the lowest part of town and in the flood plains. Part 2 – Demographics 8. Switch over to the Demographic Indicators Data. Select the Low-Income Population Map. Where are there highest percentages of low-income populations (95-100 th percentile)?

North Omaha, Boys Town, Near the airport, South Omaha, Millard by Industrial Rd. 9. Examine the ‘Minority Population’ indicator. Where are the parts of town with the highest levels of this metric? South Omaha and North Omaha 10. Examine two more demographic indicators, either from the EJSCREEN maps list. Describe the spatial pattern you see. Dem. Indicator __________________ Less than HS Education _ Spatial Pattern: South Omaha and Council Bluffs. (some of East Omaha) Dem. Indicator ________ Linguistic Isolation __ Spatial Pattern: South Omaha (most speak Spanish). A tiny bit in North Omaha and Council Bluffs. 11. Are there any consistent themes within the demographics of town? What are they? South Omaha tends to have the worst scores (most challenges) in nearly every category: linguistic isolation, income, education, etc. North Omaha and Council Bluffs are close behind. 12. What needs to be done to improve the quality of life for the individuals in these areas disproportionally impacted by environmental hazards? (i.e. how would you fix EJ issues noted in Omaha?) Provide more funding for areas with poor education (scholarship funds), increase funding to the general areas in the higher percentiles, clean up pollution, and decrease taxes if they institute green measures in these areas. Reduce industrial activities in the higher percentile areas and more populated areas. Increase public transportation in areas with more environmental challenges. Increase representation for minority population in decision- making, policy changes, and municipal management. Plant more trees and create green roofs.

Lab #5

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