Research and Policy
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice develops and manages innovative research and policy studies that build knowledge and inform policies for achieving environmental, climate and economic justice in the Louisiana Mississippi River Chemical Corridor and the Gulf Coast Region.
Monique Harden
Windy Beck
Simone English
Rachel Capuchina-Pickens
Olivia Lopez
The Center studies local, state, federal and international policies to create opportunities for communities to have a voice in improving their environment, health and lives.
The DSCEJ has partnered with CBOs who have organized and inspired community members to take action for environmental and climate justice while engaging governmental agencies and forming key partnerships to reach policy change on critical issues.
The Center has a long history of valuable research that has produced the following:
- The first maps showing the correlation between toxic pollution and race in the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor;
- Environmental impact assessments of proposed industrial projects on nearby communities of color and poor communities; and
- Data showing racial disparities in environmental health and climate vulnerabilities.
The Center works collaboratively with communities for environmental, climate and economic policies that support the following:
- The first maps showing the correlation between toxic pollution and race in the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor;
- Environmental impact assessments of proposed industrial projects on nearby communities of color and poor communities; and
- Data showing racial disparities in environmental health and climate vulnerabilities.
Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS)
ACTS established its own air monitoring network in the historic Black neighborhood of Pleasantville in Houston, Texas and, subsequently, expanded the network to install additional monitors on city-owned properties. ACTS conducted research that exposed the health and environmental risks of two proposed industrial projects, which compelled the City Council to reject these projects.
Clean Healthy Educated Safe and Sustainable (CHESS)
CHESS established the Africatown Safe Zone in Mobile, Alabama, a new amendment to local land use laws which creates an area of protection for residents of the historic community by restricting industrial encroachment.
Education Economics Environment Climate and Health Organization (EEECHO)
EEECHO halted approval by the Mississippi Permit Board for a proposed military ammunitions storage facility on a contaminated site in the community of North Gulfport by conducting in-depth research that exposed undisclosed hazards and enlisting the support of HBCU faculty mentors who conducted environmental assessments and provided expert testimony.
Unity in the Family Ministry (UFM)
UFM researched and presented data on air pollution and flood impacts that convinced the Escambia County Board of Commissioners to establish the Environmental Justice Community Advisory Board and deny permits for disposal sites in Wedgewood, Olive Heights, and Rolling Hills communities in Pensacola, FL.