Why Air Quality Is A Big Issue
The South Ward of Newark is negatively impacted by the diesel pollution from the Port of NY/NJ. The South Ward is the backyard of the third-largest port with 20,000 trucks trips per day and 4,500 of them stay on the local roads of the South Ward, this is an environmental health injustice. Creating “Clean Air Zones” is one solution to addressing the social determinants of health and transforming neighborhoods that have been disproportionately polluted by diesel pollution. Clean Air Zones will improve the health and well-being of residents and local business corridors by including green scapes and outdoor space for residents to enjoy.
Together We Can Help
Through this project, the South Ward Environmental Alliance will cultivate residents to be better informed, empowered, and engaged on key environmental issues that impact their health and quality of life. There is an extensive body of empirical evidence detailing the health impacts of diesel and other goods movement related to transportation emissions in overburdened EJ communities. Transportation is also the largest contributor to the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.