Harm City: On a ‘Toxic Tour’ of Curtis Bay, academics and activists see a hidden part of the city
Harm City: On a 'Toxic Tour' of Curtis Bay, academics and activists ... The Baltimore Banner
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Harm City: Exploring Environmental Justice and Climate Adaptation in Baltimore’s Neighborhoods
Introduction
This report focuses on the environmental justice and climate adaptation issues in Baltimore’s neighborhoods, with a particular emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The tour led by Nicole Fabricant, a professor of anthropology at Towson University, aims to shed light on the marginalized community of Curtis Bay and its struggles with environmental health inequities.
The Toxic Tour of Curtis Bay
Fabricant, along with activists and academics from the United Kingdom and Brazil, organized a “toxic tour” of Curtis Bay. This predominantly Black neighborhood is surrounded by industry and heavily impacted by traffic. The tour aims to highlight the racialized geography of the city and the cumulative impacts of toxic facilities on the community.
Environmental Injustices in South Baltimore
Fabricant, who previously focused her research on socioeconomic themes in Latin America, has shifted her attention to South Baltimore. She identifies the area as a hotbed of environmental health inequities, reminiscent of the issues that sparked America’s environmental justice movement in the late 1980s.
Challenges Faced by Curtis Bay
The tour begins at the Curtis Bay Recreation Center, which is under threat of closure. Fabricant and community groups have been advocating for its preservation, arguing that its closure would further degrade the quality of life in the neighborhood. However, city officials have promised to build a new recreation center nearby, sparking controversy among residents.
Industrial Hazards and Community Concerns
The tour highlights various industrial hazards in Curtis Bay, including a coal-export operation and a recent explosion at a coal pier. Residents express concerns about the lack of accountability from both the city and federal government in addressing these hazards. The Maryland Department of the Environment is criticized for its inadequate regulation and monitoring of environmental pollution.
Citizen Science and Accountability
The tour emphasizes the importance of citizen science in holding the government accountable for environmental injustices. Matthew Aubourg, a student at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, discusses his air pollution data collection project and its potential to empower the community in demanding change.
Successes and Challenges in Environmental Activism
The tour highlights the successes of community activism in Curtis Bay, such as the prevention of a trash-to-energy incinerator project. However, challenges remain, including ongoing subsidies for trash incinerators and the failure of legislation to remove them from the state’s renewable energy portfolio.
Building a Sustainable Future
The tour concludes at the Filbert Street Garden, a symbol of community resilience and ecological sustainability. The garden serves as an agroecological utopia amidst the industrial encroachment. Marvin Hayes, the garden’s caretaker, envisions spreading composting practices throughout Baltimore as a way to counter the harmful effects of incineration.
Conclusion
The toxic tour of Curtis Bay sheds light on the environmental justice issues faced by marginalized communities in Baltimore. It underscores the importance of citizen science, community activism, and sustainable practices in addressing these challenges and achieving the SDGs.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs Addressed:
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
Specific Targets:
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
Indicators:
- Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation, and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure.
- Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
- Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
Analysis:
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
– SDG 1: No Poverty – addressing socioeconomic themes and marginalized communities.
– SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – focusing on environmental health inequities and the impact on residents’ well-being.
– SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – discussing the need for clean air and the impacts of toxic facilities on air quality.
– SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – highlighting the environmental injustices faced by communities and the need for land rights and clean air.
– SDG 13: Climate Action – discussing the impact of industrial activities on air pollution and the need for environmental accountability.
– SDG 15: Life on Land – addressing the impact of industrial activities and pollution on land and ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:
– SDG 1.4: Ensuring equal rights to economic resources and access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
– SDG 3.9: Reducing deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
– SDG 7.2: Increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
– SDG 11.6: Reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management.
– SDG 13.1: Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
– SDG 15.1: Ensuring the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation, and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure.
– Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
– Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
– Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).
– Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
– Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets related to land rights, air pollution, renewable energy, environmental impact of cities, climate resilience, and conservation of ecosystems.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. | Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation, and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. |
