When wildfires tear through cities or forests, the smoke often carries more than ash, it brings fear, grief, and a growing sense of helplessness about our planet’s future. But what if these emotions could also be starting points for deeper understanding and change? In a recent co-authored contribution by our project Principal Investigator Prof. …
Thirty years ago, a groundbreaking Harvard study published in the New England Journal of Medicine established a clear link between air pollution and death rates. The Habitable Air project, celebrating its anniversary, remains highly relevant as we grapple with the interconnected issues of urban inequality, political division, and environmental degradation. This pioneering study was …
Our planet is warming at an alarming pace, and the consequences are far-reaching. Recent research published in Nature Medicine by Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Tara Neville, Christian Schweizer, and Maria Neira reveals a troubling connection: climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a major threat to global health. The study underscores the perilous pace …
Climate Change: A Threat to Health, But Also an Opportunity for Action Read More »
What is habitable space? At the surface level, it’s a rather vague question that could take you in any direction. In some ways, understanding the concept of habitable space is fundamental to human existence, encompassing various aspects across time, place, and culture. For me, I often find myself returning to the works of Lewis Mumford …
Green Transition and the Creation of More Habitable Spaces Read More »
As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States released its Climate Change and Children’s Health Report, the implications reverberate not only within the country but resonate globally. Children, being a vulnerable demographic, bear a disproportionate burden of the effects of climate change, including higher rates of respiratory disease, reduced academic achievement, increased risk …
Climate Change and Children’s Health: A Call to Action for a Safer Future Read More »
In an era marked by environmental challenges and shifting landscapes, Habitable Air Senior Researcher, Courtney Desiree Morris takes us on a poignant visual odyssey. Titled “Solastalgia,” this photographic series dives deep into the heart of southwest Louisiana, a region steeped in the history of the petroleum industry. Solastalgia, a term coined by Australian environmental …
Capturing Solastalgia: A Visual Journey Through a Changing Landscape Read More »
In her article “Critical ontologies: rethinking relations to other-than-humans from the Bolivian Andes,” Mareike Winchell delves into the intricate social and historical dynamics of the village of Sarahuayto in Bolivia. The article provides a vivid narrative centred around Oscar, a key informant for the author’s fieldwork, who unveils a family history linked to the legacy …
Navigating History and Belief: Devotional Practices in the Bolivian Andes Read More »
In 2013, Sharad Chari published an insightful journal article titled “Detritus in Durban: Polluted Environs and the Biopolitics of Refusal,” which shed light on the struggles faced by residents of South Durban’s marginalised neighborhoods. As we reflect on the past, it is essential to connect this work with the present efforts of Habitable Air, a …
Connecting a Decade-Old Study to the Current Efforts of Habitable Air Read More »
In our interconnected world, certain regions have become synonymous with hazardous air pollution and industrial toxicity, transforming into what is commonly known as “industrial deathscapes.” These landscapes are marred by the looming threat to human health and well-being, raising urgent concerns about the disproportionate impacts on marginalised communities. In this blog, we will delve into …
Negotiation of personhood while battling industrial deathscapes Read More »
Urban inequality is a significant challenge that is prevalent in many parts of the world, leading to disparities in access to resources, services, education, and economic opportunities. Fenceline and frontline communities (communities located near industrial activity) are particularly vulnerable to these disparities due to their proximity to industrial activity, which exposes them to various environmental …
Researching Environmental Injustice and Climate Inaction in Durban, South Africa Read More »