UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. The latest episode “Growing Impact” podcastFeatures Lilliard RichardsonPenn State professor of public policy and department head of School of Public Policy. His research focuses primarily on the analysis and implementation of safety and health policies.
Richardson discusses his seed grant project Flooding and Hurricane Harvey: Environmental Justice. Richardson and his team aim to better understand the social impacts of flooding by studying the impact on children and racial/ethnic minorities.
Richardson stated that riverine flooding can affect the small communities that are perched on top of the rivers. This was a good economic decision in the past. It puts them at great risk today, and many of these communities have enormous environmental justice questions, because it tends be the poorest people who live in many of the most vulnerable homes.
He stated that there are many vulnerabilities in flooding and environmental justice. These include the social vulnerability and vulnerability of individuals, as well as the vulnerability of the community (e.g., the local hospital in a floodplain), and the physical vulnerability of properties.
Richardson stated that we are most interested in the policy aspects. What does it mean for communities? Are there policies in place to prevent flooding? What about individuals?
Richardson and his team are currently creating a database to update the existing data on flooding. The next steps could include working with partners such as a regional watershed association and community leaders to make the most of this data in order to improve the lives of those affected by flooding.
He stated that while they are not necessarily the ones to fix these inequities he said that the first step is to identify the inequities as well as the vulnerabilities.
“Growing Impact”The Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) hosts a podcast. It features Penn State researchers who were awarded IEE seed grants. It also discusses their foundational work as the progress their projects. The podcast is available on several platforms, including Apple, Google, AmazonAnd Spotify.
