Category: All Eyes on the Gulf

News

All Eyes on the Gulf

Capitalism is the disaster

December 22, 2023 by Alexis Young

The term ‘disaster capitalism,’ was popularly and formally examined by climate justice professor, author and journalist Naomi Klein, her definition of the phenomenon can be described as an “extreme [form of] capitalism that advocated [for the] privatization and deregulation in the wake of war or natural catastrophe.” The book Klein published on her analysis of […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Oil and Gas, Plastic Pollution

Court of Public Pollution: Diane Wilson v. Formosa Plastics

November 10, 2023 by Alexis Young

“I had the bank president come down to the fish house – and I had never talked to that man a day in my life – and he came down in a three piece suit and he said he wanted to know,” Diane Wilson recalled. “He said, ‘Diane, are you starting a vigilante group to […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

Systems of oppression beget systems of oppression

September 02, 2023 by Alexis Young

In Calcasieu Parish, a little over three hours away from New Orleans, sits the city of Sulphur, Louisiana. The over 85-mile stretch of oil and gas and petrochemical (plastic production)plants along the Mississippi River includes the Calcasieu and Cameron parishes surrounding Lake Charles. Founder of The Vessel Project of Louisiana and Gulf Fossil Finance Coordinator […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

You have to hit ‘em where it hurts

July 15, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

Growing up, Shamyra Lavigne thought she lived in a paradise. Her home in St. James Parish, Louisiana was nestled between the Mississippi River and lush sugar cane fields. Her days were spent playing outdoors surrounded by tall grass, butterflies, and birds. When reflecting back on those times, Shamyra describes it as a life of privilege. […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

They just abandoned us.

July 13, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

The EPA recently halted a civil rights investigation that might have addressed some of the major environmental racism concerns of predominantly Black communities in Louisiana's “Cancer Alley”. In 2022, Earthjustice and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a complaint with the EPA on behalf of Sierra Club AND Concerned Citizens of St. […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Climate, Oil and Gas

“Manifesting a great life for myself.”

July 05, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

As the world shifts away from its reliance on the fossil fuel industry, a number of green industries, including clean energy, and green infrastructure are experiencing major growth. Some predictions even suggest jobs in green infrastructure could add millions of jobs to the U.S. economy. An organization in Louisiana is hoping to equip the next […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Climate, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

In the afterlife of slavery

July 01, 2023 by People over Plastic Staff with files from Alexis Young | Photo and videography by Jay Marcano

Dr. Joy Banner is all too familiar with the uphill battle facing Black communities in Louisiana’s River Parishes. As Co-founder of the Descendants Project, an organization committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in the Louisiana river parishes she focuses her work on the intersecting histories of enslavement, settler colonialism, […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

In Focus: Deer Park, Texas residents continue to fear for their health and safety

June 01, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

It might feel as though the community of Deer Park, Texas is a world away from the discussion table in Paris where international delegates are meeting this week to negotiate a Global Plastics Treaty. But for residents in this largely Latino and Hispanic community, any decisions coming out of those talks are certain to have […]READ MORE

Petrochemicals, All Eyes on the Gulf, Indigenous, Plastic Pollution

“We are the sacrifice zones”

June 01, 2023 by People over Plastic staff with files from Alexis Young

For residents living in the suburb of Deer Park, Texas, the chemical fire which broke out at the Shell Chemical Plant on May 5th was far from an isolated incident. The community, located just over 20 miles from Houston, is made up of mostly single-family homes lined with gardens and prides itself on being a […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Oil and Gas

Analysis: What Deer Park Teaches Us About The Petrochemical Industry

May 19, 2023 by Mary Black and Jay Marcano

Today marks the two-week anniversary of the massive fire at Shell's Deer Park Chemicals Plant in Texas. A lawsuit seeking more than $1 million in damages has been filed against Shell by a worker who was injured because of the blaze. Among other claims, the lawsuit states Shell was grossly negligent and failed to properly […]READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf, Petrochemicals, Plastic Pollution

All Eyes On The Gulf: A Series That Brings You Into The Heart Of Frontline Communities

May 12, 2023 by People over Plastic

People over Plastic is dedicating a special series of stories to America’s Gulf South. This is a region where some of the nation’s most pressing environmental injustices play out every day. The Gulf Coast in particular is a crucial petrochemical hub consisting of at least 55 major chemical plants. This is also where one-fifth of […]READ MORE

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Podcasts

All Eyes on the Gulf

WHOSE MOVEMENT IS THIS?

December 14, 2023 by People over Plastic

In our season finale, we shine a spotlight on the vital leadership of Black women in the realm of environmental justice.READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf

FAITH IN THE FIGHT

November 30, 2023 by People over Plastic

On today’s show, we delve into the profound role that faith plays for Black and Indigenous environmental activists in their relentless pursuit of both climate justice and racial justice. Drawing inspiration from Matthew 17:20-21, which reminds us that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, we explore how these activists have harnessed their faith to drive change.READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf

ROOTED IN RESISTANCE

November 17, 2023 by People over Plastic

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Denae King and Michael McKenzie, champions in the fight for climate justice. With Dr. King's expertise in environmental toxicology and McKenzie's educational and extensive research background, they take us on a personal journey from their early work to their current community-based environmental initiatives in Houston and beyond.READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf

FALSE SOLUTIONS

November 03, 2023 by People over Plastic

featuring climate justice activists Dr. Joy Banner, Yvette Arellano, and grassroots change-makers Bekah Hinojosa and Destiney Barnes READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf

SHADY BUSINESS

October 20, 2023 by People over Plastic

In the world of business, decisions can range from risky to downright shady. The line between the two blurs, especially in industries like oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastic production. Land acquisition and permits for pollution resulting from the gruesome history of racial segregation and government-sponsored redlining often raise ethical questions.READ MORE

All Eyes on the Gulf

Trailer: Season Four: All Eyes On The Gulf

October 05, 2023 by People over Plastic

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