Community-Driven Science for Policy Solutions

Type: Learning Panel

Time: 10:20 – 11:50

Location: Mint (Marriott Marquis)

Science has long had a role in informing the development of new policies and regulations, as well as the implementation or enforcement of existing ones. However, focus is too often given to informing federal policy, leaving science underrepresented in local policy decisions affecting communities. In this session, hear from and engage with a panel of scientists and community leaders who will discuss their experiences working to address community challenges through solutions at the intersection of science and policy, including lessons learned and different pathways for scientists to make a difference in their own community. All levels of interest and experience are invited to attend.

Bridging Faith and Science Communities to Help Address Global Climate Change

Type: Plenary

Time: 12:30

Location: Washington Convention Center, Hall E

Global climate change is frequently acknowledged as one of the most pressing issues of our time, with significant potential adverse impact across all sectors of our global ecosystem. Faith communities are increasingly involved in action on climate change, bringing spiritual and religious motivations to our collective understanding of stewardship and care for our planet. Yet, there remains limited acknowledgement and proactive meaningful engagement between science communities and faith communities. This is an opportunity for change towards more inclusive science practices.

AGU24 Sessions, Posters, and Talks about Thriving Earth Exchange Projects

 .

Project participants such as Community Science Fellows, Volunteer Scientists and Community Leads also share about their work with Thriving Earth Exchange at AGU’s annual meeting. Check out some of the posters, sessions, and talks about their work below.

Everyday

Community GIS and Public Service Appraisal as Instruments to Restore Water Infrastructure in Camp Hill, Alabama.

Type: Online Poster

Time: 08:00 – 17:30 Everyday of the Conference 

Location: iPoster Gallery

Community GIS (CGIS) methods allow community members to identify public infrastructure, assess their value, and transform them into georeferenced data. Thus, policy actors and scholars have used them to vehicle their policy needs to governmental institutions. Since they facilitate resident engagement with official policymaking bodies, CGIS techniques appear especially fit to explore policy issues in under-served communities. In the mid to late 1900s, Jim Crow and redlining policies stunted infrastructural investment across African-American communities in the segregated U.S. South. Presently, Black and Brown residents have been found to still experience infrastructural exclusion across the region. Camp Hill is an incorporated rural community in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. Of its circa 1,000 residents, 87% identify as African American. Outdated infrastructure, insufficient investment, and inadequate repairs make it challenging for Camp Hill’s residents to manage their drinking water and sewage systems, which local managers can only access via a collection of paper maps. Per city officials, the maps are often outdated and difficult to read due to varying scales and levels of detail. The current AGU Thriving Earth Exchange community science project aims to create a geodatabase of Camp Hill's water and sewage systems by digitizing paper maps, having city officials and other appropriate personnel record key infrastructure and failure locations through ArcGIS Survey123 and field data collection. The database will include information such as the location, age, use, and material of the piping. After establishing this new database, existing demographic data will be overlaid to better understand the connection between Camp Hill's infrastructure maps and areas with inadequate maintenance. Upon completion of this project, Camp Hill will be provided an updated infrastructure geodatabase and advice on how to implement and maintain the maps to improve resilience.

Tuesday, 10 December

Distribution of Five Propane-Air Peak Shaving Facilities in the Houston Metro Area by CenterPoint Energy Violates Basic Principles of Environmental Justice

Type: Poster

Time: 08:30 – 12:20

Location: Hall B-C (Poster Hall) (Convention Center)

Ensuring just and equitable treatment, free from racial discrimination when it comes to planning, monitoring, and redressing issues that might lead to industrial accidents or related human-induced disasters, is the objective of our group. This case study was initiated by a Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellow and Community Co-Leaders after CenterPoint Energy placed five propane-air peak shaving facilities (PAPSFs) in the Houston-area. Here we share project outcomes with the AGU community.

Each PAPSF stores and gasifies up to 600,000-gallon equivalents of liquified propane and was often sited within 500 feet of residential housing. We are specifically interested in identifying discriminatory siting. To understand the siting phenomenon, we used Robert Bullard’s Environmental Justice Framework to explore CenterPoint’s actions regarding environmental degradation; threat elimination, burden of proof; targeted actions and resources; and discrimination. We used four publicly available environmental justice screening tools from the EPA, CDC, and Justice 40 to determine whether burdens, disadvantages, or indices were indicated.

We show that all five U.S. Census tracts housing each of the PAPSFs ought to further investigate estimated burdens in the following categories: climate change; air pollution; potentially hazardous and toxic sites; built environment; energy; health; housing; legacy pollution; transportation infrastructure; water and wastewater pollution; workforce development; and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, all five facilities are in census tracts that are (a) majority Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino and/or (b) majority low-income and/or (c) have one or more disadvantaged designations. None of the five locations were protected from environmental degradation once construction began. We have yet to find public records that demonstrate how CenterPoint is redressing the risk burdens of these PAPSFs.

We argue that the company opted for a business-over-bodies approach to siting rather than a public health approach. Recommendations for the residents of the City of Houston and Texas will be discussed based on the outcomes of this study.

Scientific Fact Sheets as a Tool for Communities to Learn about Complex Public Health Issues: A Propane-Air Facility Process Safety Factsheet and Results from a Thriving Earth Exchange Project Study

Type: Poster

Time: 08:30 – 12:20

Location: Hall B-C (Poster Hall) (Convention Center)

CenterPoint Energy completed the installation of five propane-air peak shaving facilities (PAPSF) each carrying up to 600,000-gallon equivalents of LPG sited within 500 feet of residents in Houston, TX. Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX) Community co-leaders approached the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC) in Fall 2023 and requested safety information about a PAPSF recently installed in their neighborhood (Southwest Crossing Community, SWC).

No meaningful risk analysis for the community could be conducted due to the absence of site-specific data from CenterPoint Energy. Hence, the authors decided to generate a factsheet including policy interventions and recommendations. The community submitted questions to the first three authors, and the latter three authors conducted a literature review to formulate answers. SWC asked about:

1. Propane: what is propane and how does it compare to other fuels; why is propane called a “clean energy source” when it still produces carbon dioxide; how is propane stored in small and large quantities; how is propane liquified; and how is that liquid vaporized

2. Safety: what are state-of-the art safety protocols for PAPSFs like those in Houston; how are citizens typically included in the development of safety protocols

3. Risk Analysis: what approaches are taken to calculating the onsite and offsite risks associated with PAPSFs like those in Houston

4. Risk Reduction & Elimination: what basic safety precautions are often recommended from a process safety standpoint to reduce and/or eliminate the risk of injury or death onsite or offsite at PAPSFs like those in Houston

5. Human Factors & Safety Climate: how frequently is the “human factor” at the heart of disasters involving hazardous materials especially at high risk industrial operations and why

6. How are communities involved in decision-making related to the five areas listed above

7. What are MKOPSC's recommendations to communities based on the findings from the literature review.

We will outline our factsheet research process, complete findings about process safety for PAPSFs like those in Houston, and recommendations for communities. The TEX Community Co-Leaders will present how SWC plans to use the factsheet for decision-making and action. Ideally, this presentation helps other communities who are encountering similar challenges.

Community-Based Ambient Air Monitoring to Study Air Quality Impacts of Permitted Pollutants in the Ohio Valley

Type: Scientific Session Talk

Time: 10:35 – 10:50

Location: Independence A-C (Marriott Marquis)

In a region of the Ohio Valley with a heavy industrial legacy, a group of community advocates became concerned when a second large ethane cracker plant was proposed to be built by PTT Global just an hours' drive south of the Shell ethane cracker plant that was being built. When residents and community-based scientists realized that large emitters are permitted in isolation without consideration of the existing pollutant load in an airshed, they requested assistance from the Thriving Earth Exchange to understand what the additional exposures would mean for public health in the valley. This project resulted in a deeper understanding of the limitations of the government-operated air monitoring network to produce comprehensive conclusions about cumulative impacts from multiple industrial sources in residential areas. Community leads and AGU Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX) scientists also concluded that NAAQS standards would not provide adequate protection because criteria pollutants were not the only hazardous pollutants that should be measured to understand the impact from unconventional oil and gas development on the region's air quality.

The project resulted in a peer-reviewed paper to share the community-based results and gave the group the confidence to apply for a large US EPA grant for community ambient air monitoring for VOCs and small particulate matter. The community group was awarded the EPA grant and are starting to place highly accurate VOC monitoring and sampling equipment in environmental justice areas. We share the results of this ongoing participatory science initiative to provide a better understanding of existing air pollutant loads and pollution source identification. We also discuss the challenges of gathering pertinent data in a region with rapid gas and petrochemical industry expansion, involving more people in the protection of their air quality, complying with the administrative requirements of a large federal EPA grant, and developing relationships that will lead to a more robust air quality protection program in the region for improved public health outcomes in the Ohio Valley.

Assessing industrial pollution and health impacts in Pascagoula, Mississippi to assist in buyout efforts: sharing experiences from an AGU Thriving Earth Exchange project

Type: Scientific Session Talk

Time: 14:35 – 14:45

Location: Independence D (Marriott Marquis)

Over the past decade, the Cherokee Forest neighborhood in Pascagoula, Mississippi has experienced a dramatic rise in air, water, and noise pollution from the shipbuilding, petroleum, and chemical industries of the Bayou Casotte Industrial Complex. Abandoned lots and overgrown cul-de-sacs are also a stark reminder of devastating floods from past hurricane storm surge. Residents are united in their desire for a buyout in order to retreat to safer and heathier places to live. Volunteer scientists from AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange have been working with Cherokee Concerned Citizens to help collect and synthesize data, make data findings accessible for advocacy, and identify missing information to address in future studies. Together they have conducted low-cost air pollution and health monitoring as well as examined case studies of recent pollution episodes, confirming that odors, dust, and health impacts experienced by the community coincide with transport from industrial sites.

This community science partnership involves virtual and in-person meetings and workshops; co-collection and analysis of air pollution, odor, and health data; the development of summary reports and advocacy materials; and submission of proposals to fund and sustain the research. While it remains a formidable challenge for small fenceline neighborhoods to confront state agencies and industrial giants, community science is allowing residents to develop confidence in their observations and experiences, more accurately track and report pollution episodes, and acquire the evidence needed to advocate for government support. Working with scientific data also enhances collective power and strengthens social connections, bringing the residents closer together and developing long-term relationships with scientific experts. From the scientists’ perspective, community science confirms the value, urgency, and priority of our research.

Developing a Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Strategy for Palmer Township: A Community-Driven Approach to Managing Riverine Flooding and Stormwater Hazards

Type: Scientific Session Talk

Time: 14:45 – 14:55

Location: Independence D (Marriott Marquis)

Palmer Township in Lehigh Valley, PA, faces significant challenges due to stormwater management deficiencies and riverine flooding, particularly exacerbated by increasingly intense monsoon-related storms. This project aims to develop a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy through collaboration between community members, scientific experts, and local stakeholders. By integrating community-sourced data with advanced datasets, including modeled climate projections, weather data, soil assessments, UAV/drone surveys, and real-time flood monitoring, we seek to enhance local decision-making and disaster response.

The project will leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and IoT sensors to create detailed maps and monitor infrastructure vulnerabilities. The involvement of Palmer Township's Emergency Response Division and collaboration with organizations such as the Nature Nurture Center, Bushkill Stream Conservancy, and Palmer Township Stormwater Authority are crucial to our approach. By developing resilient design standards and engaging in community education, we aim to implement sustainable flood mitigation measures.

The ultimate goal is to create a resilient community better prepared for future climatic events by providing actionable plans and educating residents on effective stormwater management practices. This iterative project will adapt to the unique needs of Palmer Township, ensuring continuous improvement and community engagement.

A Holistic, Community-Based Research Approach for Communities to Learn about Complex & Local Scientific Issues: Findings & Takeaways from a Collaboration with AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange

Type: Scientific Session Talk

Time: 15:05 – 15:15

Location: Independence D (Marriott Marquis)

The Southwest Crossing Community Initiative (SWCCI) in Houston, TX has become increasingly concerned about the installation of five peak shaving facilities, carrying up to 600,000-gallon equivalents of liquified propane gas, in close proximity to their homes, businesses, schools, and churches. SWCCI collaborated with AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange to seek out research organizations that could complement their understanding of dangers associated with methane gas pipelines and methane gas in homes with information about safety and public health impacts of large amounts of liquified propane stored by CenterPoint.

PSE Healthy Energy’s Community Consulting Center (The Center) was approached by SWCCI members to help access scientifically sound, unbiased information about peak shaving facilities installed in their neighborhoods. Through The Center’s approach of working hand-in-hand with community-based organizations to examine the impacts of energy systems and climate change on public health, equity, and the environment, we compiled a factsheet that identified science-based solutions tailored to SWCCI. We provided digestible information on the purposes and functionality of peak shaving facilities, the functionality of propane-peak shavers in the Houston area, historical safety & public health risks at CenterPoint facilities, as well as policy interventions and recommendations.

In addition to our findings, we will share how research institutions can collaborate with and support vulnerable communities by providing community-focused science. We will discuss how non-traditional research approaches can contribute to meaningful impacts for both communities and research institutions. We will identify potential roadblocks to collaboration, as well as science-based and community-focused solutions to these challenges. Additionally, SWCCI members will share how they are using our factsheet for community education, decision-making, and action.

A Journey of Collaborative Environmental Storytelling in Mexico

Type: Scientific Session Talk

Time: 15:25 – 15:35

Location: Independence D (Marriott Marquis)

This presentation explores the journey of a group of Earth scientists from Mexico who transitioned into experts in science communication and discovered common ground with land defenders across the country, who had different perspectives on living with, from, and as nature. Our journey began with virtual meetings, podcast and video creation, followed by a biocultural documentary series funded by the federal government. This project enabled us to meet in person, document their struggles, and utilize narrative techniques to showcase the interplay between science and community efforts.

Through our collaboration with the Thriving Earth Exchange Program of the AGU and National Geographic Society, we developed TierraCamp, an environmental summer school on communication. This program combined the fundamentals of climate and environmental impacts with mass media and in-person communication techniques, resulting in a collaborative curriculum. This talk reflects on the evolution of our community of storytellers, the lessons learned, and our future directions in fostering effective community-science partnerships.

Friday, 13 December 2024

Evaluating Lead Poisoning Risk in Mississippi through an Environmental Justice Lens

Type: Poster

Time: 08:30 – 12:20

Location: Hall B-C (Poster Hall) (Convention Center)

Lead poisoning in children remains a critical public health issue, with no established safe threshold for blood lead levels (BLLs). Despite a general decline in rates, African American and Black children continue to face disproportionately high BLLs. This underscores the need for environmental justice initiatives to address these disparities.
Previous lead risk indices, such as EJScreen and Vox screen, etc have primarily focused on socio-economic and demographic variables, often neglecting key environmental factors like proximity to industrial areas, Superfund sites, and high-traffic corridors. Additionally, Mississippi's lead surveillance data have not been utilized for ground-truthing in past studies, which is essential for accurate risk assessment.

Our study addresses these gaps by incorporating socio-economic and environmental variables into the lead risk assessment. We employed global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses—Moran's I and Getis-Ord's Gi*—to identify patterns and clusters of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). Using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models, we examined the relationships between elevated BLLs and risk factors such as screening rates, housing age, income, education, racial demographics, and proximity to industrial areas and high-traffic corridors. The analysis revealed significant correlations and highlighted high-risk counties around the Delta region (northwest), Jackson, and other areas.

This project, a part of the funded AGU Thriving Earth Exchange initiative, aims to identify future soil-sampling sites and neighborhoods at high risk for childhood lead poisoning. Prioritizing these sites for prevention initiatives is crucial to mitigating risks and enhancing public health outcomes.