Dogwood Alliance, community leaders, and partners published a report. The report shows the wood pellet industry’s health impacts. The study surveyed families near five biomass plants. It highlighted the harm to their health and quality of life.
The South is the largest wood pellet manufacturer in the world. There are currently 28 pellet plants across the region. A majority of the mills are in environmental justice communities. The study surveyed residents and families around five pellet mills.
Enviva’s Northampton, NC wood pellet facility
Over 67% of residents within a half-mile of pellet mills experience daily dust. Most respondents said air pollution and dust prevent them from doing things outdoors. This was true no matter how far from the plant respondents live.
Dr. Treva Gear, Georgia Campaign Manager for Dogwood Alliance said:
“Every day communities in the South face environmental injustices from the wood pellet industry. Our states need to put people over corporate greed and protect people’s health and quality of life.”
They cause asthma, respiratory diseases, and even cancer. In four of surveyed communities, 86% of households reported a family member diagnosed with a disease. The diseases were all linked to pellet mill pollution.
Dr. Ruby Bell, a community organizer in Faison, NC said:
“Our leaders must hold wood pellet companies like Enviva accountable for polluting our environment. They operate a facility in my community. Regulators must ensure pellet plants use the best pollution controls. Dust and other pollutants harm our communities’ health.”
Packed house at the MDEQ Gloster Public Hearing
Gloster, Mississippi recently held a public hearing. Drax wants to expand their wood pellet mill there. Drax has paid fines many times for illegally polluting. The state slaps the company on the wrist and allows it to keep operating.
Dr. Krystal Martin, founder of Greater Greener Gloster, said:
“Unfortunately, the Gloster Community is now a profit-driven plantation. Public health is not a priority. State and federal leaders must hold Drax and other wood pellet plants accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Dr. Krystal Martin speaking at the MDEQ Gloster Public Hearing
The new study was conducted by:
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Are you looking for video games that center themes of connection to each other and our environment? Then look no further! We’ve got you covered. These are the best games for environmentalists. They’d make a great gift for gamers interested in environmental justice. Especially if that’s you!
Okami is an adventure game like Nintendo’s long-running “The Legend of Zelda” franchise. The series follows Amaterasu, a wolf-deity who has the power to restore and heal nature. It’s based on a Japanese folk-tale. Amaterasu heals the land, air, and sea from an evil polluting force. With its unique art style based on Japanese ukiyo-e paintings and its themes of respecting nature, Okami is worth your time.
Kena, Bridge of Spirits is an action and puzzle game inspired by Balinese folklore. Players take control of Kena, a spirit guide, who is able to talk to the spirits of nature. These spirits play a role in giving Kena powers to solve puzzles and restore the nature of her world. The game is stunning to look at, rivaling that of a Pixar movie.
If you’re looking for something with less stakes, Stardew Valley might be the game for you. Released in 2016, the game has gone on to be one of the best games of all time. A signature “cozy” game. Your character inherits their grandfather’s farm and you now have to make sure it grows. The fun of Stardew Valley is watching your farm grow as you manage resources. It also has a multi-player component where other players can help do tasks on each other’s farms to raise their levels. It’s like having your own virtual co-op!
Nintendo’s Animal Crossing franchise has been a mainstay for “cozy” gaming. Its themes of building community in natural places it high on this list. After creating your character, you become mayor of a small island. Your island neighbors rely on you to help grow and cultivate the island helping the community thrive. The game encourages players to visit other players’ islands. There they can interact with neighbors, trade flowers, crops, and other items. Animal Crossing rewards players for being thoughtful neighbors and tending to the needs of the island’s environment.
For the last 36 years, the Final Fantasy series has been a mainstay in video games. It’s often seen as a leader in gameplay and storytelling for the medium. Back in 1997, the original Final Fantasy VII wowed gamers. 25 years later the game is being remade and re-imagined. Many of the original staff are bringing its narrative to modern standards. The game follows a group of heroes fighting an evil corporation that uses the life force of the planet for energy. In the game, the planet’s energy is being depleted. You play as main character, Cloud Strife. You’re tasked to assemble a team to help stop the Shinra corporation before the planet loses all its natural resources. Without spoiling more, Final Fantasy VII Remake and both its sequel Rebirth, and the original 1997 release underscore the need for respecting our planet in its narrative and gameplay systems.
There are many more video games that center environmental justice principles. Feel free to let us know which games we should add to this list in the comments below!
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