How community-engaged sustainability work in Philadelphia supports students’ capacities for local civic action connected with global goals?

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Chris(tina) Rosan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Geography and Urban Studies

Temple University

christina.rosan@temple.edu

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Community-Engaged Research Approach

1. Working with community groups to develop tools, data, and solutions
2. Asking questions and listening
3. Developing new ways of seeing problems and solutions as intersectional (seeing the “struggle space”)
4. Helping students learn how to grapple with tangible problems they can handle
5. Seeing the “solution space”
6. Using research for advocacy
7. Repeat!

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PAST

PRESENT

FUTURE ?

Learning to ask questions…

How did we get here?

Where are we now?

Where are we going?

Redlining, Tree Canopy, and Urban Heat Islands

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Some parts of the City are 22 degrees hotter!

Map from City of Philadelphia Beat the Heat Plan

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Neighborhood Typologies Matter

Source: Google Streetview

Struggle Space

Urban Heat and 2021 Gun Violence

Maps by Alicia Eglin

Ida Flooding in August 2020

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2021 Hurricane Ida

Flooding Hazards: Combined Sewage Overflows

Source: https://water.phila.gov/maps/csocast/

How Can we use research to Co-Create Urgency for Action/Advocacy?

Air Quality

ACT on AIR: Accessible Community Technology on Air

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How can we present context for this air quality data such that it….

• Identifies clear action steps?
• Helps us to better understand issues of environmental justice and equity?
• Informs Cumulative Health Assessments?
• Connect to NSF PREACT Planning Grant?

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Student Class Projects

Philadelphia’s Sustainability Challenge:

From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy?

Fall 2016- Environmental Studies Senior Research Seminar

Dangers of Oil Trains (Noelle)

Where are they going?

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• Transporting crude oil from drill sites to the east and west coasts, where it can potentially be shipped overseas to more lucrative markets.

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• Oil trains are not subject to the same strict routing requirements placed on other hazardous materials; these trains are permitted to pass directly through cities carrying explosive crude oil.

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Why are they dangerous?

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• DOT-111 tank cars have been in service in North America for several decades and were designed to carry liquids such as corn syrup

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• Tank cars are prone to puncture and spill contents when derailed

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• Accidents with tank cars while carrying highly volatile and toxic liquids such as crude oil, they have a high tendency to spill oil and explode.

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What are the potential impacts?

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• In the case of an oil train derailment, there is a .05 mile evacuation zone

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• As for the case of an oil train fire, there is a 1 mile impact zone

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• These zones show the risks that the crude oil trains put on homes, schools, parks, historical sites, air quality and water quality at risk.

http://earthjustice.org/features/map-crude-by-rail#

Dangers of Oil Trains Continued (Jess)

• Diesel particulate matter from diesel exhaust and fugitive emissions from passing and idling trains is associated with:
• Impaired pulmonary development in adolescents
• Increased cardiopulmonary mortality and all-cause mortality
• Measurable pulmonary inflammation
• Increased severity and frequency of asthma attacks, ER visits, and hospital admissions in children;
• Increased rates of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in adults
• Increased risk of cancer.
• Noise pollution exposure from train traffic causes:
• Cardiovascular disease (including increased blood pressure, arrhythmia, stroke, and ischemic heart disease)
• Cognitive impairment in children
• Sleep disturbance and resultant fatigue
• Exacerbation of mental health disorders such as depression, stress and anxiety, and psychosis.

¹ http://pennenvironment.org/sites/environment/files/reports/OilTrainPAReport_r1.pdf

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Oil Train Routes and Environmental Justice (Jess)

• In Philadelphia, a disproportionate number of people living in environmental justice communities reside inside oil train routes and are potentially deleteriously affected by the threat of an accident, diminished air quality and noise pollution. ^1,2

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¹ http://pennenvironment.org/sites/environment/files/reports/OilTrainPAReport_r1.pdf

² http://www.phila.gov/health/pdfs/CHAreport_52114_final.pdf

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RenewTu

How Temple University Can Become an Energy Leader

A Zero Waste Vision For Temple University:

Taking Off-Campus Responsibilities LITTER-ally

Fall 2018- Urban Environment Class

Temple Trash

The State of Off-Campus Housing

Combined construction and residential waste

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Open trash bags, Set outside prior to pick up date

Loose trash set out next to cans

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College/Major specific Environmental Gen. Ed at Temple University

ENST Senior Research Seminar Fall 2021

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Proposal

We, the graduating environmental studies seniors of 2021, suggest Temple add a required course that offers students a chance to learn through experience and study how to live sustainably in the environments in which they reside and work. We offer a working title for the course as “Sustainable Mindfulness” showing the importance of critical, intersectional thinking in regards to sustainable communities, lifestyles, and work environments. Temple has a responsibility for educating its students on ecological mindfulness regarding the surrounding community in which they live.

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Why is a sustainability Gen. Ed. Necessary?

• Environmental sustainability is important to understand because it affects everyone and can be applied to almost every facet of life.
• The goal of creating a more environmentally responsible culture can only be achieved with more people knowing about it.
• Reducing waste and utilizing more sustainable resources can be applied to everyday life.
• Knowing your own impact on the environment hopefully leads to more sustainable living practices
• Encourage more sustainable consumption habits

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SOLAR SCHOOLS

TOOLKIT

Pennsylvania High Schools Going Solar

Environmental Studies Senior Research Seminar- Spring 2023

Why Install Solar?

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Air pollution and urban heat islands are two issues solar helps address.

Help students face a changing world by teaching them about renewable energy.

Money saved on powering your school could be redirected to benefit students and teachers.

When you make a positive change, people notice.

Climate Change

Enriched Learning

Energy Costs

Public Image

It’s cheaper than ever to install solar if you act NOW.

Sending students home during power outages can be a thing of the past.

Federal Subsidies

Resilience

Why Install Solar?

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Help the community by supporting solar installers.

Save money in the long run by making a small investment now.

Be the example for other schools during the energy transition.

Green Jobs Creation

Early Advantage

Leadership

More space = More solar.

Harness the knowledge at your institution.

Solar at Universities

Act Now, and Save !

ACT on Air: Accessible Community Technology on Air

Environmental Studies Senior Research Final Project

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Fall 2022

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Why do we need community air monitoring?

A more informed public is a public more equipped to defend and advocate for itself…

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‘Neighborhood Bill of Rights’:

Intersection between the city’s infrastructure development and neighborhood permanence is key to community stability.

• Without having to worry about needs such as food security, crime, affordable housing, and education, residents will be more available to face climate vulnerabilities at home.

FAQs: What is the PurpleAir Monitor and how can I be a part of community science in Philadelphia?

I’ve never seen the PurpleAir Monitor… what is it?

→ The PurpleAir Monitor is an air pollution sensor that uses built-in Wi-fi integration to let you check the air quality of a location from anywhere in the world - including your own home - via the PurpleAir Map.

• What to Expect… Each costs approximately $250, is about the size of a softball, and can measure particulate matter up to 2.5 micrometers.
• Easy Installation… All you need is an outlet and wifi.

Op-ed

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Stakeholder Roles: “UniverCities” as Climate Solutions Accelerator

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Enabler

Enabler + Actor

Actor

Research - basic & translational

Anchor institution

Education

Advocacy

Admin/ finance

Operations

Commitments/ di & investments

Decarbonization Solutions

Curriculum/ courses

Student activism/ policy positions

Subject matter expertise

Convening/ facilitation/ planning

Category

Functions

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Community-Engaged Research Approach

• Working with community groups to develop tools, data, and solutions
• Asking questions and listening
• Developing new ways of seeing problems and solutions as intersectional (seeing the “struggle space”)
• Helping students learn how to grapple with tangible problems they can handle
• Seeing the “solution space”
• Using research for advocacy
• Repeat!

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