Background-
As I wrap up my active research on the validity of placing a cause and effect relationship between growth in capitalism and environmental degradation (see Labs Six, Seven, and Eight for more information), I find that there are many local factors playing a part in diverse regions, often making it difficult to make broad, global comparisons. Thus far, it seem that a correlation lies between regions of higher income groups and higher Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ratings, as well as supposed environmental awareness overall. However, these same regions tend to produce more emissions, thus suggesting a higher awareness, and thus, overall control of produced toxins. In looking from a global scale, I compared each region in its own entity, with no influence on its surrounding regions. But what about externalities imposed on other regions? Specifically, regions of people of different race, income levels, etc? In order to find a more traceable, localized point of outsourced pollution practices, I am going to look at the presence of toxins produced from residential wood combustion in Multnomah County (the Portland area), Oregon. Furthermore, I plan to assess the presence of such toxins in concentrated areas of the county, in correlation with populations of different income and race backgrounds, to find possible trends reflecting Environmental Justice, or a lack thereof.
Environmental Justice is “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement
[emph. added] of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or
income with respect to the development, implementation and
enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies” (U.S. EPA, 2018).
Procedure-
In beginning my research of the local region and possible issues of Environmental Justice, I first gathered information on the area from various sources. Using data collected from the American Community Survey* (ACS), I was able to access accurate data on current populations regarding income and race. From here, I then accessed the Portland Air Toxics Solutions Report and Recommendations (PATS) for data on pollution levels and the highest identifiable risks to the area currently. In doing so, I retrieved data on what was categorized by such as the number one Environmental Justice issue in the Portland, Oregon area: toxins from residential wood burning. The gathered PATS and ACS data was then imported into the ArcGIS platform to create mapped visualizations (see Lab Four for more information). I selected specific variables to compare various relations from the two data sources, starting first with the toxins most commonly emitted from residential wood burning, and populations of ethnicities other than caucasian, and moving on to income groups. In order to present the data in an accessible way, I renamed the categorical data to relay in layman terms, as well as combined separated fields into a wider range of data, such asa single category for those with an income of over $100,000, as well as those making under $50,000, and compiling multiple toxins emitted from wood burning. This allowed for a conveyance of the information in a way that allowed for easy interpretation of the visualizations.
*The ACS is a collection of surveyed data on populations across the nation, hosted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Results:
The first map portrays a general understanding of the location of pollutants due to residential wood burning. Using a heat map, I compiled the top 5 toxins produced by wood burning (Butadiene, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Acetaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, and Acrolein) to locate the highest concentrations of such. From my understanding of the area, it seems as though concentrations are higher in areas of increased industrialization (Northeast Portland and Beaverton) and urbanization (Downtown Portland).
After locating the approximate pollution level distributions throughout Multnomah County in relation wood burning, the next step was to utilize the ACS data to locate populations of study. The map below displays the percentage of the population in different areas of the Portland Greater Area that is of any race other than white identifying. Thus, the darker the shaded area, the smaller the population is that identifies as white. In order to better visualize the ACS and PATS data by overlapping on one map, I used the levels of concentrations of Butadiene levels (one of the top toxins emitted from residential wood burning) in relation to these populations. From the map, a strong correlation does not stand out, but I do notice a trend in which many areas of populations with higher percentages of populations identifying as something other that white, seemed to also contain higher concentrations of Butadiene.
Again using Butadiene data from PATS, the final map displayed uses ACS data to compare pollution levels to income. The red shading displays the percentage of populations making at least $100,000 a year. Darker areas thus display an increased concentration of populations of a higher income group. Similarly to the previous map, there is not a strong correlation in Butadiene levels and income group populations. However, it seems that much of the visual data displays that areas of populations of greater income have lower levels of pollution due to Butadiene.
Analysis: In comparing my results with the previous weeks of research of the Capitalocene, I am in no way surprised. While based on a global scale, it was expected that areas of higher income often produce more, they also were shown globally to have the best environmental health. Meanwhile, it has both globally and locally been revealed that regions of populations that identify other than white, often have higher pollution levels overall, thus displaying the inequitable valuation of pollution and environmental health. This study of residential wood burning was not quite as telling, but gave me a further insight into the number of variables that can effect pollution levels. Not only should I be looking at the emitted levels, but also the clean-up abilities, that can cause influxes in numbers for studies such as these. Overall, I have found strong evidence for a need for intervention in regards to the era that we refer to as the Capitalocene.