Environmental Justice Now

Brian Hamilton
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Student-produced podcasts exploring contemporary problems of environmental justice

  1. 2025-05-22

    Hong Kong's Housing Crisis

    In this week’s episode, Vivian and Juan discuss the housing and economic crisis of Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. The city grapples with strict construction laws, inequality, some of the worst air pollution anywhere, and the displacement of one of the area’s last rural villages. What can Hong Kong expect for their future, and how can we relate their struggles to Environmental Justice?To learn more about Hong Kong’s plans of Carbon neutrality, visit: Government Climate PlanTo learn more about land usage and distribution, visit: Land Usage Distribution Info sheetTo learn more about Choi Yuen Tsuen village, visit: South China Morning Post VillageTo learn more about the relationship between EJ and the village, visit: EJ AtlasTo learn more about the trouble with wilderness, visit: WilliamCronon.netTo learn more about air pollution in Hong Kong, visit: Government ReportsTo learn more about the impact of growing infrastructure in Hong Kong, visit: Hong Kong FPTo learn more about LegCo Building Protests, visit: South China Morning Post ProtestTo learn more about Hong Kong’s Housing Crisis, visit: Housing Crisis ReportMusic:Jazz Music (Pixabay)Effects:(Hong Kong Voice Clips)Hong Kong Voice ClipHong Kong Voice ClipHong Kong Voice ClipHong Kong Voice ClipHong Kong Voice ClipHong Kong Voice ClipHong Kong Voice ClipLegCo Storm Protesters in Hong Kong Storm LegCo BuildingCorrection: This clip is from 2020, but captures the gist of a protest outside of the LegCo building in Hong Kong. Disregard the sentence prior to the introduction of it in the episode saying that it was the protest that occurred in November of 2009, as this clip is much more recent.

  2. 2025-05-22

    The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

    Show notes: https://bklyner.com/opinion-the-bqe-is-in-a-state-of-total-crisis-and-so-are-the-local-residents-who-literally-need-a-breath-of-fresh-air/ https://www.brooklynpaper.com/highway-to-health-problems-locals-will-breathe-in-toxic-air-for-years-if-city-sends-traffic-along-promenade-to-fix-bqe-experts-warn/ https://pix11.com/news/local-news/nyc-group-demands-action-on-issues-stemming-from-brooklyn-queens-expressway/ https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/08/health/highways-children-cognition-study/index.html#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20children,their%20peers%20living%20farther%20away. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9126644/ https://www.brownstoner.com/brooklyn-life/bqe-repair-redesign-environmental-justice-coalition-rally/#:~:text=Quincy%20Phillips%2C%20with%20the%20Red,%2C%E2%80%9D%20Garden%2DLucerna%20said.

  3. 2025-05-21

    Dolphins and Disparity

    This podcast covers the environmental justice issue of tourism and ecotourism. We talk about a case study that involves a dolphin tourist attraction in St. Lucia and the harms it would cause to St. Lucia locals. The protests against it eventually led to it not being put in, but the problems of slow violence, environmental privilege, and environmentalism of the poor still apply to this topic. We also talked about another case study of a major resort in St. Lucia and how tourism as a whole can become an environmental justice problem. We used a news source directly from St. Lucia that offered commentary on the island’s continued issue with a dolphin tourist site: St. Lucia StarLinks to an external site.. This source, along with EJ AtlasLinks to an external site., Seaside SustainabilityLinks to an external site., and several other sources, allowed us to understand the depth and nuance behind why this case was an environmental justice issue and how this thinking can be applied across other tourist attractions in major tourist locations.  Bibliography Author, No. “A Commentary on the Proposed Pigeon Island Dolphin Park: Is Saint Lucia in the Shackles of Fool’s Gold? - the STAR - St Lucia.” THE STAR - St Lucia, March 4, 2017. https://stluciastar.com/commentary-proposed-pigeon-island-dolphin-park-saint-lucia-shackles-fools-gold/. EJOLT. “Christopher Columbus Landing Resort in Playuela, Puerto Rico | EJAtlas.” Environmental Justice Atlas, n.d. https://ejatlas.org/conflict/playuela-christopher-colombus-landing-resort. Elevenlabs.io. “Text to Speech & AI Voice Generator - ElevenLabs.” Accessed May 20, 2025. https://elevenlabs.io/text-to-speech. Lincoln O’Barry. “St. Lucia Proposes New Captive Dolphin Facility | Dolphin Project.” Dolphin Project, March 9, 2017. https://www.dolphinproject.com/blog/st-lucia-proposes-new-captive-dolphin-facility/. Seaside Sustainability. “Rethinking Tourism as an Environmental Justice Issue.” Seaside, April 15, 2024. https://www.seasidesustainability.org/post/rethinking-tourism-as-an-environmental-justice-issue Travel Foundation. “- Travel Foundation,” 2022. https://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/climatejustice/. “Slow Digest: Violence.” Center for 21st Century Studies, February 9, 2025. https://uwm.edu/c21/slow-digest-violence/.

  4. 2025-05-21

    Winds of Displacement

    Have you ever wanted to learn more about the dark side of green energy? Are you interested in why certain demographics and their lands are targeted over others as sites for wind farms? Have you wondered about the direct impacts that wind turbines have on the environment and the communities in which they are installed? In this documentary-style podcast, two Deerfield Academy students delve into the impacts that wind turbines have on the Quilombola population in the Caetite region of Brazil.   If you’re interested in learning more about how rural Brazilian communities have been impacted by Brazil’s push to convert to green energy, we suggest you check out this site  Lastly, we’d like to thank Brian Hamilton for helping us in the production of this podcast.  We referenced these sources for the making of our podcast: EJ Atlas: Quilombola communities affected by wind power projects in Caetité region, Brazil  Fabiano Maisonnave, André Penner, and Lucas Dumphreys for AP News: Wind power expansion meets grassroots resistance in Brazil's Northeast | AP News Conectas: How quilombola communities view the projects UNFPA: Counting every voice: Brazil's census includes quilombola communities for the first time Alicia Arquetoux for France24: Quilombolas: The Afro Brazilians serving as guardians of the forests Miguel Pinheiro for Mongabay: In Brazil’s Amazon, Quilombolas fight the erasure of their African heritage M.Sc. Alice Nataraja Garcia Santos: https://d-nb.info/1198121416/34 Giovanna Carneiro, Arnaldo Sete, and Marco Zero for Mongabay: In Brazil, rural communities are caught in the eye of the wind farm storm Wikipedia: Caetité - Wikipedia  Audio materials used for this podcast:  Sääsch Bääsch:1 Hour of full Power Sounds inside a Windturbine (call it ASMR or what ever). USE HEADPHONES! Soundridemusic - No Copyright Music:Cinematic Tension NoCopyright Background Music for Video / Tensions Run High by soundridemusic Equipe Disque:Disque Quilombola AAINJAA PRODUCCIONES:PODEROSA AAINJALA | 150 DRUMMERS 😱 AAINJALA #1 Secession Studios:Emotional Background Music - Two Souls AShamaLuevMusic:Sad and Emotional Cinematic Music | Drawing - by AShamaluevMusic Jerrod Reque -Curious Instrumental Song for Creators

  5. 2025-05-21

    Carbon Capture in Uganda

    With the help of guest Jackson Violich, in this week’s episode we examine a carbon capture site in Kachung, Uganda, owned by the ironically named company “Green Resources”. We discuss how this process, though seemingly beneficial, is much more harmful than it is good. We dive into the ethics and rationale of carbon credits along with exploring how they can be detrimental to the communities their sites are located in. In doing this, we also consider different Environmental Justice trends and themes that arise from this project.  To see more details about the issue in Kachung, check out ejatlas.com For another look at the same issue, explore upstreamjournal.com To get an overview of carbon credits, check out climateimpact.com To read a report done by the Oakland Institute, check out The Darker Side of Green For more information on Kachung in video format, look atThe Forbidden Forest For a shocking detail on the efficacy of carbon credits, read this article by theguardian.com For another report on Kachung, Uganda, check out a Lund University case study Finally, for a TedTalk on carbon credits, (and why they’re a scam), look at Jaye Connolly’sAre Carbon Credits Legit?   To listen to our Jazzy Intro and Outro music, check out Jazz Background Music, by BackgroundMusicForVideos

  6. 2025-05-21

    Fukishima

    Summary: Have you ever thought about the aftermath of a destroyed nuclear power plant? Ever wondered how they store the nuclear wastewater? Or have you ever explored the consequences of releasing nuclear wastewater into the ocean? In this episode, we dive into an issue that stretches back to a decade ago–one of earthquakes, radiation, protests, and water. We’re talking about Fukushima Daiichi, more specifically, the controversial decision to release nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean on April 13th, 2021.   We referenced these sources for the making of our podcast.  Page from the World Nuclear Association on the actual accident that caused the need to release this wastewater. Gives information on the severity of the earthquake and the tsunami that caused the nuclear accident. Also gives information on TEPCO and both of the plants Daiichi and Daini. https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-daiichi-accidentLinks to an external site.   This article is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China. It has information on the agreement reached between Japan and China on the ocean discharge of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water.  https://www.mfa.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/wjbxw/202409/t20240920_11493511.htmlLinks to an external site.    This article is from the UN environment programme. It is focused on the earthquake that hit Japan and has general facts about it.  https://www.unep.org/topics/disasters-and-conflicts/country-presence/japan/great-east-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami#:~:text=On%2011%20March%202011%2C%20a,environmental%20devastation%20and%20infrastructural%20damageLinks to an external site..  This article is from the Nuclear Energy Agency and it talks about Fukushima Daiichi and the damage that was done to the Nuclear power plant due to the earthquake. It also talks about how many lives were lost due to the earthquake and how devastating the earthquake was to the power plants and the areas surrounding it. https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_27411/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-accidentLinks to an external site.   Page in the National Public Radio about the finding out of Japan's decision to release this contaminated water into the ocean. This source also had information on how Tritium still remains in the water despite other chemicals being treated.  https://www.npr.org/2021/04/13/986695494/japan-to-dump-wastewater-from-wrecked-fukushima-nuclear-plant-into-pacific-oceanLinks to an external site.    Article from BBC on the concerns of releasing this waste water into national waters. It has some great pictures that explains the risk this decision poses on surrounding countries and communities.  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66106162Links to an external site.    This is TEPCO’s site which is the company in charge of these nuclear power plants and it's interesting to see the information that they are choosing to include.  https://www.tepco.co.jp/en/decommission/progress/watertreatment/index-e.htmlLinks to an external site.    Source is from the International Atomic Energy Agency and goes into detail on the tests that were done to samples of the contaminated water before it was released into the ocean.  https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-and-international-experts-sample-treated-water-within-fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-power-station-prior-to-its-releaseLinks to an external site.    This article goes into detail about firstly the release of the wastewater and secondly the counteraction from China of banning all Japanese seafood.  https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-set-release-fukushima-water-amid-criticism-seafood-import-bans-2023-08-23/Links to an external site.    This article is from The Organization for World Peace and it addresses the international responses to the Fukushima water release.  https://theowp.org/reports/international-responses-to-the-fukushima-water-release-science-and-politics/Links to an external site.  Audio clips used in podcast   This is part of the music we used in our podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ZVvWo76igLinks to an external site.    Audio Clip of a conference about the water release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wl3p-sWVVgLinks to an external site.    Audio Clip on the controversy and protests that surged from the Fukushima water dumping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZZg6ocRuhkLinks to an external site.    Audio Clip of a South Korean protest due to the water release.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6bUb-Ead00Links to an external site.    Audio Clip of a sushi chef who can no longer shop for a certain fish from Japan and needs to buy it from China now due to the contaminated water.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M42TVA6KkwLinks to an external site.     Documentary on Japan’s nuclear meltdown due to the earthquake.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRKScRgsUaELinks to an external site.

  7. 2025-05-21

    The Holt Family

    This podcast gnaws and grapples with the term environmental racism, illustrating real life events of The Holt's; an African American Family. Through this episode, you are taken on a journey through the highs and the lows of how their steadfast determination propelled them towards change and justice. Make sure to check out this page about this family and this topic. We hope you enjoy it!

  8. 2025-05-21

    Penokee Hills Mining

    Can abundant outcries across different demographics be enough to stop a billion dollar cooperation fueling the engine that is American capitalism? We’ll find out in this week's episode of Environmental Perspectives as Ojibwe Tribal Historian, Ella Moriarty, and Penokee Hills, WI local councilman, David Peirce, explore the grassroots battle against the proposed Gogebic Taconite pit mines along Wisconsin’s Penokee Hills and Bad River Watershed. Using each of their respective knowledge bases, they discuss responding to Indigenous treaty rights, environmentalism of the poor, protection of sovereign nations, and systemic collapsing of ecosystems. Most importantly, they break down how the spread of activism for this issue among both Bad River Ojibwe members and non-indigenous locals fueled a powerful resistance movement, ultimately halting the drill and extraction of the Gogebic Taconite pit mines.    Audio Files Used:  Transition Music:  https://freemusicarchive.org/search?adv=1&quicksearch=chill%20nature&&Links to an external site.    https://freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/sounds/624374/Links to an external site.    Sources Used:  https://ejatlas.org/conflict/iron-mining-in-the-penokee-hillsLinks to an external site.   https://www.wpr.org/economy/work-continues-close-penokee-hills-mining-siteLinks to an external site.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeh9GJzqJKMLinks to an external site.   https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/acts/1.pdfLinks to an external site.    https://progressive.org/magazine/tribe-s-stand-corporate-mining/Links to an external site.   https://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/03/03/bad-river-win-gogebic-taconite-putting-wisc-mine-hold-159434Links to an external site.   https://nelson.wisc.edu/blogs/badrivermaps/teaching-with-the-maps/Links to an external site.   https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/success-storiesLinks to an external site.   https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/opinion/sunday/the-fight-for-wisconsins-soul.html?_r=1Links to an external site.    https://woodsperson.blogspot.com/2012/02/potential-impact-of-waste-rock-and.htmlLinks to an external site.    https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/opinion/2015/03/19/gogebic-taconite-mine-never-made-sense-wisconsin/25005443/Links to an external site.    https://millelacsband.com/home/mining-impactLinks to an external site.  https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Mines/Gogebic.htmlLinks to an external site.

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About

Student-produced podcasts exploring contemporary problems of environmental justice

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Hamilton
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Brian Hamilton
  • Show Website
    Environmental Justice Now