On February 16, Dickinson College will host a virtual Air Pollution In Pennsylvania - Community Panel discussion starting at 7:00 p.m. on their public YouTube livestream.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports air pollution levels in some parts of Pennsylvania are among the nation’s highest, with the United Health Association ranking the Commonwealth’s air quality as 48th in the nation.

According to new research, these elevated levels of air pollution are linked to higher COVID-19 death rates. This panel will reflect on localized air pollution considerations and potential opportunities for engagement.

The panelists include: 

-- Thomas Y. Au, president of the Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania and former assistant chief counsel at the Department of Environmental Protection.

-- Naida Elena Montes, a Ph.D. student in Temple University's Geography & Urban Studies program. She previously worked for the Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha in community economic development in Philadelphia.

-- Germaine Gooden-Patterson, a community health worker for Women for a Healthy Environment.

-- Krishnan Ramamurthy, DEP Deputy Secretary for the Office of Waste Air, Radiation and Remediation.

Heather Bedi, assistant professor of environmental studies at Dickinson College, is moderating the panel.

Bedi’s research examines how civil society and socio-environmental movements experience and adapt to natural resource and landscape modifications related to energy processes, climate change, industrialization and agricultural transitions.

Bedi also examines energy injustice through the lens of shale gas extraction (fracking) in the United States. She serves on the DEP’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board and the Cumberland County Food System Alliance leadership team.

The event is sponsored by the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues and co-sponsored by the Center for Civic Learning & Action and the Department of Environmental Studies.

For more information, visit the Dickinson College Air Pollution In Pennsylvania - Community Panel webpage.   Click Here to watch online.

NewsClips:

Don Hopey: Business Group’s Report Claims Pittsburgh Region’s Air Is Getting Cleaner, Faster

Cap-Star: As Allegheny County Finally Meets Clean Air Standards, Environmentalists Concerned Victory Could Be Short Lived

Center For Biological Diversity Files Lawsuit Against EPA For Approving PA’s Plan To Limit Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations

CBF: 14 Health, Environmental Groups File Lawsuit Against Ozone Standards In Federal Court

The Guardian: Fossil Fuels Caused 8.7 Million Deaths Globally In 2018, Research Finds

[Posted: February 11, 2021]

2/15/2021