Cleveland is called by some folks - "The Forest City", or marketed by regional leaders as "A Green City On A Blue Lake".
But let's be honest - Northeast Ohio is dealing with plenty of environmental challenges. Sewage overflows into Lake Erie are not uncommon, though becoming less frequent. Air Quality Alerts are likewise not infrequent. And our tree canopy stands at only 19%, far from deserving of that 'Forest City' moniker.
To our west for comparison, Cincinnati doubles Cleveland at 38%, while to the east, Pittsburgh's tree canopy measures 42%.
Why should we care about our tree canopy? It seems maps of tree canopy often resemble maps of poverty and when that lack of leafy coverage is mostly found in majority minority neighborhoods leading to hotter temperatures and more polluted air it becomes an environmental justice issue.
In 2019, the American Lung Association's ranked Cleveland the 9th most polluted city in the nation, for year-round particle pollution.
Our lakefront and river access has come a long way since the burning of the Cuyahoga, but equitable access to lakefront parks and amenities still plagues the region.
And 'food deserts', areas where fresh foods and produce are accessible and affordable, are prevalent across the city's more distressed neighborhoods.
In response to this - several area media organizations are collaborating to look at how environmental justice issues are affecting some Northeast Ohio residents.
Among them are Ideastream Public Media, The Land, and students from Kent State University's NewsLab on the street doing new reporting.
Today on the show we’ll discuss the new reporting project.
Later in the hour we'll hear from the two front runners to fill Ohio's 11th congressional district - Nina Turner and Shontel Brown, currently engaged in the Democratic primary race.
We'll also have a quick check-in with Global Cleveland's Joe Cimperman regarding mayoral forums focusing on immigration issues.
- Gabriel Kramer, Multiple Media Producer, Ideastream Public Media
- Nina Turner, Former State Senator & Candidate
- Shontel Brown, Cuyahoga County Councilwoman & Candidate
- Amy Eddings, Morning Edition Host, Ideastream Public Media
- Joe Cimperman, President, Global Cleveland
- Antwoine Washington, Painter
