Take some time to enjoy deep breathing in your home, a local park, or somewhere a few minutes outside of town. Inhale through your nose and exhale out of your mouth. Appreciate the ability to have access to clean air which brings life and energy throughout your body. Now spend a few moments reflecting on the air toxins abstract piece. How would you feel if you knew the air you were breathing contained toxins that could negatively affect your health? Does this motivate you to do anything to help your community? Express your feelings artistically - whether through photography, poetry/words, song, or painting. Feel free to share your response with us. Responses may resonate with local government to create cleaner air policies for all who live in Roanoke.
Exhibit Air is an abstract interpretation of data gathered from multiple sources including a tool via the Environmental Protection Agency. Neighborhoods most affected by poor air quality and higher concentrations of air toxins are depicted in bolder and deeper colors. This research also brought up environmental justice issues when adding a demographics layer to the interactive map.
I used the following environmental justice screening and mapping tools to create Exhibit: Air, synthesizing the information in an abstract watercolor painting of Roanoke City. The tools provide a diverse range of information if you want to explore more. You are welcome to use these tools when creating your own reflection of “Exhibit: Air”
EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool – search your address and/or hometown and click which topic interests you to learn more about in your area. I used this tool to learn more about pollution with respect to air quality and toxins throughout Roanoke City. You can add layers as well, viewing demographics and socioeconomic data to better understand if certain populations are more effected than others. This gives a nod to potential environmental justice issues and can be used to start conversations on how to address any problems we may find.
Council on Environmental Quality's Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool – I also used this map when creating exhibit: Air to see a little more closer-up areas impacted by air pollution, comparing this close-up neighborhood map with the EPA Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool.
