By Lois Gibbs. As we sit back and ponder yesterday’s election results, it seems like a good time to pause and reflect on how lasting change happens. One valuable lesson is that long-term change, a cultural shift in society, begins at and grows from local communities to the national level. Peter Montague, a scholar of the grassroots environmental health movement who has written about lasting change talks about changing the climate of opinion. He wrote that, “today slavery is not only illegal, it is unthinkable. The climate of opinion would

By Gregory Kolen II. As individuals who care deeply about the health of our communities, environment, and future, we know that the decisions made at every level of government impact us all. Voting is one of the most effective ways to shape those decisions, ensuring our voices are heard on issues that matter most. At the Center for Health, Environment & Justice, we believe that every person has the right to live in a safe, healthy environment. Voting connects us with this right, giving each of us a say in

By Leila Waid. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1 and will end on November 30, has already produced many storms and hurricanes that have left a trail of devastation in the U.S. Florida was hit by back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, within a two-week span. Experts warn that these repeated traumatic exposures to natural disasters can have a tremendous impact on mental health and emotional well-being. In May 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)predicted the 2024 hurricane season would be “above-normal,” in part due

By Stephen Lester. A recent article in the Washington Post painted a very clear picture of the enormous amount of energy being used by data centers to fuel the exploding world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to the article, roughly 25% of all Americans have used ChatGPT (an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI) since it was released in 2022. These chatbots use massive amounts of energy to respond to questions on-line. Keeping these computers operating means keeping them cool and that is taking a significant toll on the environment.

By Sharon Franklin. Before recent hurricanes that have reduced towns and cities in the Southeast, there was a trend for Americans most affected by the climate crisis to move to the Midwest.  Now, the question is.. Will there be more?   In a recent article by Stephen Starr, Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/22/climate-crisis-americans-move-midwest he noted that the 65,000 person city of Muncie, Indiana may not be the most exciting place in the world,  because it doesn’t have beaches, or year-round warm weather, it is now home to Laura Rivas, a former resident of

By Leila Waid. Climate change is already having an enormous impact on our world. All individuals are at risk from the debilitating effects of climate change due to an increase in events such as heat waves, flooding, wildfires, and other natural disasters. However, some individuals are more at risk than others and face higher disparities, such as pregnant women and neonates.  One of the most significant consequences of climate change already being felt are the overbearing heat waves that roll in summer after summer. And every year, it just seems