On this episode of "Here and Now," Dr. Diana Williams, co-founder of the Environmental Leaders of Color, joins Sandra Bookman to discuss how her nonprofit organization has been helping low-income communities prepare for the adverse effects of climate change.
Each summer, the Environmental Leaders of Color provide a six-week program engaging students in classroom-based learning about basic clean energy and climate change topics.
At the end of the 2023 summer program, students presented an idea that would later evolve into the “Don’t Strain Your Drain” campaign.
Did you know that pouring cooking oil down your drain is hazardous? That can cause building pipes and storm drains to clog. Clogged storm drains do not effectively remove rainwater, which leads to water backing up basements and backyards. Waterlogged basements can compromise the structural integrity of buildings and allow toxic mold and mildew to grow.
Exposure to toxic mold and mildew can cause medical emergencies in people with compromised immune systems, asthma, or other respiratory diseases.
In order to combat this issue, the Environmental Leaders of Color collaborated with fire departments in Mount Vernon to provide drop-off locations for used cooking oil. Those drop-off locations are at 470 Lincoln Avenue and 50 West Third Street.
To learn more about the Environmental Leaders of Color and the other programs they provide visit their website at this link.
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