The Storm Before the Calm: Stormwater Capture as a Means of Addressing Racism and Environmental Justice in LA

WaterUCI Speaking of Water Webinar
DATE
Wed, 03/29/2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
LOCATION
Online
DETAILS

America’s legacy of racist land use and housing policies affect how much impervious surface is in one’s neighborhood. This not only affects amounts of stormwater runoff generated, but also levels of greenery, temperature, and flooding. Megan Kung, economist with the Los Angeles Water Quality Control Board and Racial Equality team member with the State Water Resources Control Board, discusses research that empirically examines the effect of race on neighborhood impervious surfaces in LA County. Results imply that the county follows national patterns of environmental racism, but that there is also great potential to help address historically racist planning policies while meeting stormwater goals through the thoughtful placement of green infrastructure.

Share