"Who Bears the Cost?": North Denver Environmental Justice Report & ArcGIS StoryMap

Voiceover

Presenter(s)

Ruth Mekonnen

Abstract or Description

Achieving progress towards environmental justice relies on broad-based action and policy change. Colorado’s North Denver communities have led the fight for these changes, calling attention to the disproportionate burden of environmental health impacts their communities have faced for decades and demanding accountability. The primary goal of “Who Bears the Cost?: The North Denver Environmental Justice Report & ArcGIS StoryMap”, a collaboration between GreenLatinos, Colorado School of Public Health (CSPH), and other partners, was to obtain comprehensive data on the services and infrastructure that exist in the heavily-industrialized areas of Commerce City, Globeville, and Elyria-Swansea, as well as the environmental exposures that disproportionately impact the health and wellbeing of residents living nearby. This research summarizes key findings in the following areas: Land Use & Violations, Power Generation & Transportation Energy Production, Goods Production, Roads & Rail, and Waste Management.

These interconnected sectors exist in a relatively small geographic area and expose North Denver residents to significant environmental burdens, while the benefits of these sectors largely flow to surrounding Colorado communities. The report also highlights information gaps that prevent community members from knowing the true magnitude of impacts, particularly because, too often, information about sources of environmental pollution and impacts on community health is not collected, is collected in disjointed and siloed ways, and/or is held by private entities or research organizations but is not shared in a usable and transparent way with impacted community members. The findings of the report are presented through an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap, a visual “walk-through” that aligns with our vision to promote community advocacy and data justice through open, accessible, and collaborative environmental health data that is relevant and usable to both communities and policy-makers. Thus, we can bring public awareness and continue to promote policies that hold polluters accountable, which will, ultimately, protect the health of all communities.