Environmental Justice

Marginalized people often bear the brunt of environmental injustices. An annual conference in New Orleans is shaping young Black leaders to solve these issues.

Communities living and learning near petrochemical plants will face more pollution and less federal protection under Trump’s new policies.

The Interior Department withdrew St. John the Baptist Parish’s eligibility for becoming a National Historic Landmark to boost economic development. But it might not work.

As the region grapples with poor sanitation, groups like the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program are taking it upon themselves to address the issue.

President Trump is reversing his predecessor’s efforts to clean up areas hardest hit by pollution from heavy industry, ports and roadways – communities that are often largely Black, Latino and low-income. He eliminated the “Justice 40” initiative the Biden created which required 40% of the benefits from certain environmental programs go to hard-hit communities. He disbanded a team of White House advisors who focus on the issue. It's part of a spate of early executive orders that align with Trump's campaign pledge to slash regulations and eliminate an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion. The new administration actions end a short-lived federal embrace of environmental justice.

The Port of New Orleans plans to “revitalize” the Alabo Street Wharf into a terminal for organic grain. Neighbors in Holy Cross are concerned about grain dust, pests, rodents and a steady line of railcars passing right outside their doors.

Philanthropic and government investments in environmental justice are helping nonprofits push back against industrial development.

Two years after an international body asked the U.S. to consider a pause on new industrial plants and protect cultural sites from heavy industry in Cancer Alley. It hasn't.

The Mississippi River is an endangered river. For 25 years, a Clarksdale canoe company has worked to teach kids to respect and protect the waterway.

Members of the Krewe of Zulu flung cloth bags from their floats on Mardi Gras in protest of the massive Formosa Plastics complex planned in St. James Parish.