Please Upload Your Reflection Paper As A Word Doc ✓ Solved

Please upload your reflection paper as a Word Doc. (~ words

Please upload your reflection paper as a Word Doc. (~words, 2-3 pages, 12pt font, New Times Roman, double spaced). Use at least 2 resources from this course and include a bibliography page in the citation style of your choice.

Based on the course materials in Urban Environmental Issues thus far and using the Environmental Justice Mapping Tool, discuss, compare, and contrast two areas/neighborhoods using the same environmental indicators. Identify one area/neighborhood that you can identify as a community burden by environmental hazards and one community not burdened by environmental hazards.

1. Visit EJScreen and launch the Environmental Justice Mapping Tool. Choose a city within the United States. The city can be where you are living now, where you grew up, or a city you would one day like to visit or live. Zoom into an area/neighborhood within that city and pick 3 environmental indicators to focus on (example: traffic proximity, lead paint indicator, and hazardous waste proximity) and under the Demographic Indicators look up 3 demographic indicators (example: minority population, low-income population, over age 65) in that area/neighborhood. Identify a community burden by environmental hazards and a community not burdened by environmental hazards within that same city.

2. Take screenshots of your two communities using the side-by-side map. Show the 3 environmental indicators you picked and how they compare at the state and national scale. Also, take screenshots of the 3 demographic indicators for these same communities. Use and refer to these images within your paper and make sure to appropriately label these images using correct citation.

3. In your paper reflect on how environmental injustices are taking place and/or are not taking within these two communities that reside within the same city.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

Environmental justice is a crucial area of study that highlights the intersection of environmental health and social justice. The Environmental Justice Mapping Tool, as presented by EJScreen, offers valuable insights into various neighborhoods in the United States regarding their environmental burdens and demographic characteristics. This paper focuses on two neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California: Compton and Westwood. By employing three specific environmental indicators—proximity to hazardous waste, air quality, and traffic proximity—and three demographic indicators—minority population, low-income population, and population over age 65—this reflection explores how these two areas reflect differing experiences regarding environmental hazards.

Neighborhood Analysis

Compton is a city in Los Angeles County that has historically faced significant environmental challenges. It has faced high levels of pollution, particularly from traffic and nearby industrial facilities. The proximity to hazardous waste sites significantly affects the health of its residents, who are predominantly from minority communities (U.S. EPA, 2020). Additionally, according to the EJScreen data, the air quality index is often rated poorly, with elevated levels of particulate matter. The traffic density in Compton exacerbates these issues, leading to further health complications, such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems.

On the other hand, Westwood, a neighborhood located adjacent to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), exhibits marked differences in environmental conditions when compared to Compton. The area benefits from lower traffic volumes and better-maintained public spaces, offering cleaner air quality. The hazardous waste sites are minimal, and the demographics indicate a significantly lower minority and low-income population compared to Compton (California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, 2018). This contrast reflects a stark divide between two neighborhoods even within close proximity, highlighting the overarching theme of environmental injustice.

Environmental Indicators Comparison

Using the Environmental Justice Mapping Tool, the contrasting environmental indicators for Compton and Westwood can be starkly observed. The first indicator, the proximity to hazardous waste, shows that Compton is significantly closer to several designated hazardous waste sites, as shown in the side-by-side comparisons (EJScreen, 2022). Conversely, Westwood has minimal hazardous waste sites, giving its residents a comparative advantage concerning health risks.

Secondly, the air quality levels showcase how polluted Compton is in contrast to Westwood. The air quality index often veers into unhealthy territory in Compton, while Westwood maintains a healthier index most days, attributable partly to its green spaces and urban planning policies focused on maintaining air purity (California Air Resources Board, 2021). These differences lay the groundwork for understanding the health crises faced by residents of Compton.

Lastly, traffic proximity affects both neighborhoods differently. Traffic volume is significantly higher in Compton, leading to increased air pollutants. Data shows that higher traffic proximity correlates directly with health issues prevalent in the area, while Westwood enjoys lower traffic density, contributing to its cleaner environment (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2020). This comparative analysis illustrates varying levels of environmental accessibility for residents in these neighborhoods.

Demographic Indicators Observation

The demographic indicators provide additional context. In Compton, the minority population comprises approximately 65% of residents, whereas Westwood has a minority population of around 35% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020). The high percentage of low-income residents in Compton is another pressing concern, with about 25% of the population falling below the poverty line, in stark contrast to Westwood's lower rates (California Department of Finance, 2021). The senior population, those over 65 years old, is also considerably higher in Compton (12%) compared to Westwood (8%), further indicating the various vulnerabilities contributing to environmental challenges (AARP, 2021).

Reflection on Environmental Injustice

The disparities in environmental conditions and demographic indicators seen in Compton and Westwood facilitate reflections on environmental justice issues. The residents of Compton suffer from various health adversities linked directly to environmental burdens exacerbated by systemic inequalities. The intersection of high pollution levels and low socioeconomic status creates a community heavily burdened by environmental hazards, which has resulted in lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic illnesses among residents (Braveman & Gottlieb, 2014).

In contrast, Westwood, with its better environmental conditions and resources, not only enjoys improved health outcomes but also access to more green spaces and community support structures. This showcases a neighborhood that has effectively adopted policies focused on sustainability and environmental health, making it a model for other communities to follow (Bullard, 2020).

Conclusion

By comparing and contrasting the neighborhoods of Compton and Westwood, it becomes evident that environmental injustices manifest differently across communities, even within the same geographical regions. The overarching burden of hazardous environmental conditions in Compton highlights the urgent need for policies aimed at creating equitable environmental conditions across all neighborhoods. The findings from this analysis underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing the disparities in environmental health, as the implications go beyond the immediate neighborhoods, affecting larger societal structures.

References

  • AARP. (2021). Aging and Health in Los Angeles County.
  • Braveman, P., & Gottlieb, L. (2014). The Social Determinants of Health: It's Time to Consider the Causes of the Causes. Public Health Reports, 129(1_suppl2), 19-31.
  • Bullard, R. D. (2020). The Quest for Environmental Justice: Human Rights and the Politics of Pollution. Sierra Club Books.
  • California Air Resources Board. (2021). Annual Air Quality Monitoring Report.
  • California Department of Finance. (2021). California’s Population Estimates, 2020.
  • California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. (2018). CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Report.
  • EJScreen. (2022). Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool.
  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2020). 2020 Census Data.
  • U.S. Department of Transportation. (2020). Traffic Volume Trends Report.
  • U.S. EPA. (2020). Environmental Justice and Social Equity in the United States.

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