Environment

White and yellow sign reads "Danger: Radiation Risk" against a blue sky, silver chainlink fence and rusted barbed wire
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Oct 8, 2019 5:43PM EDT

Research Reveals High Levels of Radiation in Navajo Women Stemming From Cold War

“Thousands of abandoned uranium mines dot the Western landscape, hundreds on the Navajo Nation alone, continuing to expose families to the ill effects of radiation, including kidney failure and cancer.”
Two white water fountains on white tiled walls with signs warning people not to drink from them
Ayana Byrd  Sep 30, 2019 3:25PM EDT

Study Finds Race is Primary Factor in Enforcement of Safe Drinking Water Act

Flint and Newark are just two of the many cities where the race of residents is tied to poor regulation of water safety.
Person walks through flooded streets of Houston after Tropical Storm Imelda
Ayana Byrd  Sep 25, 2019 2:39PM EDT

REPORT: Coastal Communities Face Catastrophic Future Due to Climate Change

“The oceans are sending us so many warning signals that we need to get emissions under control.”
Fire department official stands with cases of bottled water in Newark, New Jersey
Ayana Byrd  Sep 24, 2019 1:33PM EDT

Newark Sees Preliminary Decrease in Water Lead Levels

The latest results show that water filters are finally working in most of the tested homes.
girl with a megaphone and her first in the air at climate change protest
Ayana Byrd  Sep 20, 2019 3:27PM EDT

Kids Around The World Go On A #ClimateStrike

Students march to demand action to save the earth—and to protect those most vulnerable to climate change.
Damaged power lines on a hilltop in Patillas, Puerto Rico, against a gray sky
Ayana Byrd  Sep 11, 2019 2:27PM EDT

Ex-FEMA Officials Arrested For Taking Bribes to Award Contract to Repair Puerto Rico's Power Grid

A federal corruption investigation uncovered the bribes that led to Cobra Acquisitions receiving $1.8 billion in contracts.
Balearia ferry docked in Florida. White ferry with blue writing that reads "Balearia" on it against a blue sky with white clouds
Ayana Byrd  Sep 10, 2019 3:21PM EDT

Bahamians Denied Entry to U.S. During Post-Hurricane Dorian Evacuation

There is confusion and finger-pointing about why more than 100 people were not allowed to travel to Florida. Meanwhile, Trump doubles down on rhetoric to keep out “very bad” people.
a gas flare and buildings of the Shell Petroleum plant in Norco, Louisiana, against a dark sky
Ayana Byrd  Sep 9, 2019 1:43PM EDT

Cancer Alley Residents Stop New Chemical Plant From Opening

A lawsuit and protests pushed a Chinese petrochemical firm to withdraw its approved application to build in Louisiana.
Two people standng in the muddy rode in Puerto Rico, shovels in hand, colorful buildings and blue sky behind them
Ayana Byrd  Sep 5, 2019 2:38PM EDT

Trump Administration Takes $400 Million From Puerto Rico Recovery to Fund Border Wall

It’s part of a $3.6 billion package pulled out of the Department of Defense’s budget to pay for 175 miles of barrier.
Aerial shot of Abaco Island, Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian
Ayana Byrd  Sep 4, 2019 3:09PM EDT

8 Ways To Help The Bahamas Recover From Hurricane Dorian

“We are in the midst of one of the greatest national crises in our country’s history.”
A Black man with gray hair wearing a black shirt and jeans bicycles through flooded streets in Texas
Ayana Byrd  Sep 3, 2019 2:01PM EDT

Digital Museums Document Houston Following Hurricane Harvey

The open-access archives also explore how racism made the storm harder for Black and Latinx Houstonians.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Governor Philip D. Murphy at podium in Newark, New Jersey. American and yellow New Jersey flags in the background.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 27, 2019 1:54PM EDT

New Plan Seeks to Replace Newark's Lead Pipes In Less Than 3 Years

With the national spotlight on the city’s lead water crisis, officials have shaved seven years off the initial timeline to replace pipes.
Pallets of water with a line of people standing behind them in Newark, New Jersey at a bottled water distribution center
Ayana Byrd  Aug 26, 2019 1:43PM EDT

The Decisions and Inaction Behind Newark's Lead Water Crisis

An investigation by The New York Times reveals years of mismanagement.
people on the lawn outside of National Museum Of African American History & Culture
Ayana Byrd  Aug 21, 2019 2:45PM EDT

How City Planners Are Battling Rising Temps Across Nation

Global warming is causing major climate shifts. Now, cities are making major changes to protect their most vulnerable residents.
White teepees in the snow with a protest sign that reads "Defend the Sacred" on Standing Rock Reservation
Ayana Byrd  Aug 20, 2019 2:23PM EDT

ICYMI: Standing Rock Sioux Back In Court to Stop Dakota Access Pipeline

As the pipeline prepares to double its daily output, the tribe demands a new environmental assessment of the project.
Damaged electrical poles against a blue sky in Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Ayana Byrd  Aug 14, 2019 2:15PM EDT

ICYMI: Puerto Rico's New Governor Suspends Contract to Repair Power Grid

“I hope this isn’t a smoke screen and that there’s a real audit. That’s what all these people who have lost trust in the government expect.”
Ras Baraka. Black man in gray suit and white shirt talks into microphone.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 12, 2019 4:04PM EDT

Lead Concerns Push Newark to Distribute Bottled Water to Residents

The EPA says residents should not drink tap water, even if it’s been filtered. The city says more tests are needed.
Mauna Kea protestors. Black and white image of crowd with main shot of man with back to camera.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 19, 2019 11:10AM EDT

WATCH: The 50-Year History of Mismanagement at Hawai'i's Mauna Kea

In just six minutes, this film provides context for the recent protests at the sacred site.
hazy New York City skyline
Ayana Byrd  Jul 10, 2019 1:14PM EDT

Trump's Claim That Nation's Air Has Never Been Cleaner Disproved By His EPA

Pollution is actually up since President Barack Obama left office.
pride flag and person in a beauty pageant sash at San Juan pride parade in 2018
Ayana Byrd  Jul 8, 2019 2:52PM EDT

READ: A Push to Rebuild Safe Spaces For LGBTQ+ Puerto Ricans

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and recent legislative challenges to their rights, members of Puerto Rico’s queer community are working to restore life-saving spaces.