Across the globe, concerns are being raised that the environment is suffering damage and that urgent interventions are needed. Human activities have been blamed for much of the damage. However, there are other factors at play. New York is among the areas in the US whose environmental quality has been cause for concern. As the state area becomes more densely populated, it is expected that the environment will suffer further damage. What is unfortunate is that there are some communities that are bearing a disproportionate brunt of the environmental damage problem.
Data shows that the distribution of environmental damage in New York is not uniform. There are some areas where the problem is more prevalent and is causing unimaginable devastation. For example, in a report on the state of air quality across the US, the American Lung Association identified Staten Island to be the most polluted borough in New York City (Griffin, 2018). This data indicates that while environmental damage is a problem afflicting the whole of the city, there are some areas which have seen the worst effects of this problem. It is worth noting that air quality is not the only indicator that has been used to determine the environmental quality of a particular area in the city. The prevalence of certain ailments is yet another indicator. The New York Department of Health conducted a study which led it to determine that Long Island City reported among the highest prevalence rates for respiratory diseases (Parry, 2019). These diseases are often the result of or are exacerbated by poor air quality. The Bronx is another borough whose environmental quality has led to concerns and anxiety. In her text, Maantay (2007) reports that the Bronx serves as the epicenter of air pollution in New York City. She adds that this area has some of the city’s highest prevalence rates of asthma. It is evident that the environmental damage problem affects some areas more than others and that urgent interventions should be developed and implemented.
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There have been efforts to understand the root causes of the disparities in environmental quality in New York. Race and class are among the factors that have been blamed for this disparity. Gray, Shadbegian and Wolverton (2010) authored a report in which they outline the role that poverty and race plays in determining environmental quality. They state that poor people and those from minority communities often live in neighborhoods that are ravaged by environmental decline and damage. This finding is not surprising. In the US, race and class are known to define nearly all elements of an individual’s life. The poor and minorities lack the political power to push for policies to protect their environments. Furthermore, they often lack the financial resources needed to move to neighborhoods whose environment is of high quality. The findings that Gray and his colleagues made do not seem to be reflected in the situation in New York. For example, above, Staten Island has been identified as among the most polluted boroughs. Given what is known about the role that race and class plays, one would expect that the borough is dominated by minorities. This is not the case. Over 75% of the borough’s residents are white.
For New York to effectively solve the environmental quality problem that it faces, it should begin by identifying the parties to blame for the problem. Industries operating in the city are the major culprits. Through their processes, they release toxic compounds into the environment. For example, there are plants which emit greenhouse gases that have led to a drastic decline in the city’s air quality (“Pollution in NYC”, n.d). The city’s residents are also to blame. Some of their lifestyles have contributed to the environmental problems. For example, the residents use and discard plastic water bottles that find their way into the environment (“Pollution in NYC”, n.d). There is little evidence that big money has played a significant role in the city’s problems. However, given that big businesses are known to lobby politicians to pass business-friendly legislation at the cost of the environment, it is reasonable to suppose that big money has had an impact.
The glaring environmental quality disparities cannot be left unaddressed. Fortunately, the authorities in the various areas in New York are already implementing a number of promising solutions. For example, in 2007, New York City announced a sustainability plan designed to enhance air quality and address disparities. As part of the plan, the city authorities committed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance air quality (ODPHP, 2016). Furthermore, the authorities have introduced a law which limits the amount of sulfur content in fossil fuels used by buildings in the city. There are other solutions that the city could implement. They include offering protection to vulnerable communities through such initiatives as prohibiting polluting businesses from setting up operations within the areas inhabited by the communities.
In closing, environmental pollution remains one of the gravest challenges that the US faces today. This challenge is especially problematic for New York which has one of the highest population densities in the country. Within the city, there are glaring disparities in the quality of the environment. Such areas as Staten Islands have endured years of poor air quality that has given rise to a range of health problems. There is little indication that the disparities are the result of race or class. To determine the particular cause of the disparities, further research is needed.
References
Gray, W. B., Shadbegian, R. J., & Wolverton, A. (2010). Environmental justice: do poor and minority populations face more hazards? National Center for Environmental Economics. Retrieved July 9, 2019 from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-12/documents/environmental_justice_do_poor_and_minority_populations_face_more_hazards.pdf
Griffin, A. (2018). Staten Island’s air quality unhealthiest in the city, report says. Silive. Retrieved July 9, 2019 from https://expo.silive.com/erry-2018/04/d0d420e1d96163/staten_island_has_worst_air_po.html
Maantay, J. (2007). Asthma and air pollution in the Bronx: Methodological and data considerations in using GIS for environmental justice and health research. Health & Place, 13, 32-56.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). (2016). New York air quality programs reduce harmful air pollutants. Healthy People. Retrieved July 11, 2019 from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/healthy-people-in-action/story/new-york-city-air-quality-programs-reduce-harmful-air-pollutants
Parry, B. (2019). City’s air is getting cleaner, but Sunnyside and Woodside are experiencing more pollution, report finds. QNS. Retrieved July 9, 2019 from https://qns.com/story/2019/05/01/new-study-shows-sunnyside-woodside-have-highest-level-of-air-pollutants-in-borough/
Pollution in NYC. (n.d). ST Gate. Retrieved July 11, 2019 from https://homeguides.sfgate.com/pollution-nyc-79338.html
