The Environmental Justice Lab

The EPA has been gutted. Scientists are being sent home. NOAA is being dismantled. And in the middle of all this deregulation, our elected officials keep voting against what we actually want. So what do we do about it?On this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab, I sit down with Sadie Holzmeyer, National Organizing Director of the Digital Democracy Project — a nonpartisan nonprofit building a voter-driven system of government from the ground up.Sadie tells us how she went from a random Google search to living out of an RV, crisscrossing the country to build a movement that lets you — the registered voter — weigh in directly on the bills that shape your life, your community, and your environment. Using certified mobile voting technology, the Digital Democracy Project puts real legislation in front of real voters, with plain-language summaries, community-sourced pros and cons, organizational stances, and even an AI-powered VoteBot to help you cut through the legal jargon. The results? Public, transparent, and district-level — so your legislator can’t claim they didn’t know what you wanted.We talk about why this matters for environmental justice, how candidates running for office are vowing to use the platform to dictate their voting patterns, and why any politician who refuses to support this kind of direct voter input might just be telling you they’re anti-democratic.From federal bills to state legislation, from Florida to all 50 states by 2027 — and maybe even beyond U.S. borders — the Digital Democracy Project is proving that democracy doesn’t have to be a spectator sport.Finally, the call to action: Download the app, get verified, and start weighing in at digitaldemocracyproject.org. And if you’re in one of the 43 states that doesn’t yet have a state organizing director — maybe that’s you. Think about it.Resources: The Digital Democracy Project WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support.Don’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

What does it mean to fight for environmental justice when the very language of justice is under attack?In this first episode (of a 2-part series), I talk with environmental scientist, small business owner, and consultant Kibri Hutchison Everett about the fight for environmental justice. We trace her journey from growing up in Rock Hill, South Carolina (my hometown), to working in federal environmental data analysis, and ultimately to founding her own company to support communities on the frontlines of pollution and disinvestment.We talk about her work with the HBCU Environmental Justice Technical Collaborative, and Kibri speaks candidly about the realities of working with marginalized communities, and calling environmental racism what it is, even when federal agencies and political leaders try to erase the term. Together, we unpack how industries target poor Black, Brown, and rural communities, how changes in White House can roll back decades of progress overnight, and why grassroots organizing and data sovereignty remain critical tools for resistance.This is not just a policy discussion; it’s a call to action. Tune in to learn how environmental justice plays out on the ground and why vulnerable communities are still forced to fight for clean air, clean water, and basic dignity.Resources: HBCU Environmental Justice Technical CollaborativeArticle: Environmental Justice in an Era of Federal RollbacksHBCU EJ Screening ToolJustice40 Awards TrackerConnect with Kibri EverettLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kibri-hutchison-everett-646b051b3/Instagram: @the.enviro.vegan@key.environmental.consultingWebsites: www.keyenvi.comwww.palmettofutures.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/support.Don’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

In this episode of The Environmental Justice Lab, Dr. Lesley Joseph sits down with public health expert Dr. Diana Hernández of Columbia University and sociologist Dr. Jennifer Laird of Lehman College to talk about their new book, Powerless: The People's Struggle for Energy.More than 1 in 4 U.S. households struggle to afford their utility bills, with many facing shutoffs, debt, and the constant stress of choosing between heating and food, or cooling and rent. Powerless brings this hidden crisis into the light, exposing how energy insecurity is not just a personal hardship but a systemic failure rooted in race, class, housing, and policy.In this episode, Drs. Hernández and Laird reveal:⚡ Why low-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately energy insecure🏠 How housing conditions, debt, and disconnection policies deepen inequality💡 And how we can rethink policy and infrastructure to create a more just energy future🎧 Tune in now to learn how these two brilliant minds are helping rewire how we think about energy, poverty, and power in America.Resources: Powerless - The People's Struggle for EnergyConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

In this episode of The Environmental Justice Lab, our host, Dr. Lesley Joseph, responds to a deeply troubling development: the resignation of Dr. Kimberly Terrell from the Environmental Law Clinic at Tulane University. A respected environmental scientist, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Terrell left her position as the Director for Community Engagement, citing political and donor-driven censorship, after years of research exposing the disproportionate health dangers experienced by the residents of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley. Dr. Joseph unpacks what this moment means for academic freedom, community-centered research, and the future of environmental justice in the U.S. He draws a clear line between truth-telling and power, asking hard questions about whether universities are still safe havens for critical inquiry, or simply extensions of corporate and political interests. Why are researchers being silenced for revealing the truth about pollution, cancer, and environmental injustice? What happens when scientific evidence threatens the bottom line? And how should the environmental justice research community respond?This episode is both a tribute to Dr. Terrell’s courage and a rallying cry for researchers, activists, and citizens alike to keep fighting. Because justice demands it. Resources: Tulane scientist resigns citing university censorship of pollution and racial disparity research - AP NewsResearch from Dr. Terrell and the Environmental Law Clinic:Air pollution is linked to higher cancer rates among black or impoverished communities in Louisiana - Environmental Research JournalToxic air pollution and concentrated social deprivation are associated with low birthweight and preterm Birth in Louisiana - Environmental Research JournalPervasive racial and ethnic disparities in the U.S. petrochemical workforceConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

In this episode, we confront a powerful but often overlooked reality: environmental injustice doesn’t just harm our bodies - it harms our minds and breaks our spirits.As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode sheds light on the hidden emotional toll of living in neglected, polluted, and disaster-prone communities. From climate anxiety to post-traumatic stress, Dr. Joseph explains how the fear, powerlessness, and injustice faced by frontline communities leads to real, lasting psychological harm. Drawing from research and real-world examples, including Flint, Michigan and global conflict zones, Dr. Joseph explores how trauma, uncertainty, and systemic neglect affect mental wellness just as much as contaminated water or polluted air. And the message is clear: these impacts are not random. They are patterned. They are unjust. And they must be addressed.This episode is both a call for recognition and a call to action. If we truly care about justice, we must care for the mental health of those most affected. Whether you’re an advocate, policymaker, healthcare provider, or someone seeking to understand more, this episode will expand your perspective and your compassion.🎧 Tune in now to discover why mental health must be part of every environmental justice conversation.Resources: The Mental Distress of Environmental Injustice - Urban Health CouncilThe Emotional Distress of Living in an Environmental Justice Community - International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-beingConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

In this personal episode, we recognize Black Maternal Health Week with a reflection on the systemic failures that Black women face during pregnancy and childbirth. Together, we explore the heartbreaking reality that Black women - regardless of income or education - consistently experience the worst maternal health outcomes in the U.S. Why are they not being heard? Why are their concerns dismissed, even by healthcare professionals? And what does it say about the society we live in?As we draw connections between environmental racism, healthcare inequities, and the lived experiences of Black mothers, we go beyond the statistics, and get personal about our family experiences, toxic beauty standards, and the critical importance of clean, safe environments and culturally competent medical care. As you listen, we hope that you will walk away not only informed, but inspired to act. Whether it’s advocating for Black physicians, confronting harmful stereotypes, or demanding safer neighborhoods, this is both a call to consciousness and a call to action.🎧 Tune in for an urgent conversation and learn how you can stand in solidarity with Black mothers, this week and every week.Resources: Black Women Maternal Health - Fact Sheet"With Black doctors, Black people live longer" - STAT NewsHow Serena Williams saved her own life - ELLE MagazineConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com

In this episode, we dive deep into the urgent water crises affecting communities worldwide. Although the United Nations’ theme for World Water Day 2025 highlights glacier preservation, we are shifting the conversation to the pressing issue of water access in war zones, underprivileged communities, and regions suffering from environmental neglect.From Gaza to Flint, Sudan to Ukraine, billions are struggling to secure clean, safe water. We discuss how water scarcity is not just a resource issue but a matter of human rights and environmental justice. We also explore the devastating impact of climate change, conflict, and inequality on global water supplies, emphasizing how access to water determines survival, health, and social equity.Why are some communities forced to buy bottled water while others enjoy clean tap water? How has water become a weapon in modern conflicts? And could future wars be fought over this essential resource? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the politics of water, the disparities in global access, and what we can do to push for change.Because water isn’t a privilege. It’s a right.Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community:Instagram: @envjusticelabYouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen! Support our work by joining the Supporters Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com