Air Justice

The Air Justice project began in 2021 by two former UofL faculty members, ABI affiliate Dr. Megan Poole (English) and Prof. Shavonnie Carthens (Law), who joined in coalition with Eboni Neal Cochran of REACT – Rubbertown Emergency Action “to work with scholars, students, and local communities to research solutions that bring legislative change and decrease toxic emissions” (AirJusticeLou.org).

With incredible community grounding, extensive outreach, and leadership from grassroots efforts, Air Justice has supported residents in engaging more closely with processes governing air pollution, expanded community-based data collection, and collaborated with organizations across West Louisville impacted by air pollution around the industrial area known as “Rubbertown.” Founded with the recognition that environmental injustices disproportionately impact the everyday lives, lifetimes, and futures of communities marginalized by racism, classism, and other forms of inequality, Air Justice contends that “it is long past time for Louisville to begin making right these historic wrongs, and to stop overlooking the harm these facilities (in Rubbertown) are causing” (AirJusticeLou.org). 

In 2024, the Air Justice project became part of the ABI. Looking ahead, ABI will support student researchers involved in this project, collaborate closely with REACT in their on-going work, and expand our commitment to social justice scholarship by expanding our work on Environmental Justice.

Learn more about Air Justice at: AirJusticeLou.org 

The image at the top of this page is from: https://www.airjusticelou.org/en/why-it-matters