Hazard NJ

This podcast does a few things exceptionally well: (1) The narrator’s use of anecdotes paints a vivid picture of what these Superfund sites look like. I’m specifically thinking of Episode 1—that story about that man who nearly fell in the polluted lake bc it had eaten through the hull of the boat was crazy! (2) The pacing is just right. (3) Interviews are very thoughtful and the perspectives expressed are nuanced. The storyline is centered around community members and their stories. I like that community members are portrayed as people with a sense of agency who are capable of effecting policy changes. In that way, I’m also learning a lot about climate activism and grassroots organizing. It’s really eye-opening to hear the stories of people who have not only suffered the consequences of exposure to toxic pollutants, but have also had years of experience as foot soldiers in local environmental justice movements. Unlike nearly every other YouTube video I’ve seen or news article I’ve read about this topic, this podcast is centered around narratives of resistance to the status quo, as told by individual community members. Hazard NJ distinguishes itself because it avoids the all-too-common platitude of portraying the community members as helpless victims. The emphasis on community resistance is the undercurrent of hope that makes the podcast digestible and not one-dimensionally depressing (like a lot of other climate media). (4) The podcast takes a pragmatic approach to climate/environmental issues: Identify the potential risks, and does a good jo” not just regurgitating the solutions, but critically analyzing them. It is clear that the EPA’s “solutions” are grossly inadequate for the scale of toxic dumping that took place in NJ. and It attempts to answer questions about portray community members as helpless victims and fails to center around resistanc; (b) A lot of climate/environment journalism just portrays residents as helpless victims and (unlike a lot of climate journalis avoids the avoids portraying the residents as helpless victims (despite the gross injustices that have been donecommunity members, they are avoids falling into the ultra-depressing, corporation-bashing

This podcast adds necessary context to ongoing issues around climate change and severe weather. It’s New Jersey specific, but relevant to all of us regardless of where we are. Great job!

I thought the podcast was beautifully delivered, with an investigative depth and seriousness of reporting, but also a relatable and unpretentious delivery. I’m now quite interested in learning more about superfund sites in New Jersey and how they are being affected by climate change and the passage of time.

I didn’t know much about New Jersey and I had never heard of the Superfund program until my daughter, the host of “Hazard NJ,” started this podcast. I recommend everyone listen to “Hazard NJ.”