Full Citation
Title: Climate Justice and California's Methane Superemitters: Environmental Equity Assessment of Community Proximity and Exposure Intensity
Citation Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2021
ISBN:
ISSN:
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04328
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: Methane superemitters emit non-methane copollu-tants that are harmful to human health. Yet, no prior studies have assessed disparities in exposure to methane superemitters with respect to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and civic engagement. To do so, we obtained the location, category (e.g., landfill, refinery), and emission rate of California methane superemitters from Next Generation Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS-NG) flights conducted between 2016 and 2018. We identified block groups within 2 km of superemitters (exposed) and 5−10 km away (unexposed) using dasymetric mapping and assigned level of exposure among block groups within 2 km (measured via number of superemitter categories and total methane emissions). Analyses included 483 superemitters. The majority were dairy/manure (n = 213) and oil/gas production sites (n = 127). Results from fully adjusted logistic mixed models indicate environmental injustice in methane superemitter locations. For example, for every 10% increase in non-Hispanic Black residents, the odds of exposure increased by 10% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.17). We observed similar disparities for Hispanics and Native Americans but not with indicators of socioeconomic status. Among block groups located within 2 km, increasing proportions of non-White populations and lower voter turnout were associated with higher superemitter emission intensity. Previously unrecognized racial/ethnic disparities in exposure to California methane superemitters should be considered in policies to tackle methane emissions.
Url: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c04328
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Casey, Joan A; Cushing, Lara; Depsky, Nicholas; Morello-Frosch, Rachel
Periodical (Full): Environmental Science and Technology
Issue:
Volume: 55
Pages: 14746-14757
Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS
Topics: Natural Resource Management, Race and Ethnicity
Countries: