Redlining’s Impact on Environmental Justice

This program aired December 4th, 2020 @ 12 PM EST.

What is the relationship between historical race-based housing segregation and the current climate crisis? Join The Center for a conversation with Cate Mingoya, Director of Capacity Building at Groundwork USA, Dr. Robert K. Nelson, Director of the Digital Scholarship Lab at the University of Richmond, and Dr. Vivek Shandas, Founder and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research Lab, examining the implications of the climate crisis, current grassroots mitigation efforts, and sustainability strategies for the environment.

Moderator:
Charles Lee - Senior Policy Advisor for Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Mr. Lee is the Senior Policy Advisor for Environmental Justice at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is widely recognized as a true pioneer in the arena of environmental justice. He was the principal author of the landmark report, Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States. He helped to spearhead the emergence of a national environmental justice movement and federal action including the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice, and the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC).

Panelists:
Dr. Vivek Shandas – Professor of Climate Adaptation, Portland State University

Dr. Vivek Shandas is a Professor of Climate Adaptation and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research (SUPR) Lab at Portland State University. Professor Shandas supports communities in improving their adaptation from climate stressors, including extreme events such as urban heat, air quality, and storms. Dr. Shandas serves as Chair of the City of Portland's Urban Forestry Commission and serves on several local and national advisory boards.

Cate Mingoya - Director of Capacity Building, Groundwork USA

Cate Mingoya is the Director of Capacity Building at Groundwork USA where she provides equitable development technical assistance for those looking to transform contaminated land into community assets. Cate also leads Groundwork USA’s Climate Safe Neighborhoods partnership, a nine-city grassroots community organizing project to reduce heat and flooding risk in neighborhoods with histories of race-based housing discrimination.

Dr. Robert K. Nelson - Director of the Digital Scholarship Lab, University of Richmond

Robert K. Nelson is the Director of the Digital Scholarship Lab and Head of Digital Engagement in Boatwright Library. He is the editor of American Panorama: An Atlas of United States History, which includes “Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America.” Nelson teaches course related to antislavery and slavery in the United States and about the digital humanities.

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