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Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100. Unions, worker co-ops tackle historic wealth gap; NM political expert says 'polarization' is the logical word of the year; AL higher-ed conference to address workforce, boost student transfers.

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Former President and humanitarian Jimmy Carter dies at age 100, extended funding for 9 11 responders is cut from the federal budget, and Republicans prepare a major overhaul of the nation's voting procedures.

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From the unprecedented election season to the latest environmental news, the Yonder Report looks back at stories that topped our weekly 2024 newscasts.

EPA grants $500K to South Bronx groups for climate justice, mitigation

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Wednesday, August 7, 2024   

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the South Bronx $500,000 for climate resiliency planning, and local environmentalists say it couldn't have come at a better time.

The grant will go toward a new climate resilience and emergency preparedness project in the South Bronx.

Siddhartha Sánchez, executive director of the Bronx River Alliance, said the project will give community residents the skills to prepare for climate change and associated impacts such as flooding, blackouts and the urban heat island effect.

"The idea that this is not decided 'top-down' also applies to the organizations," Sánchez explained. "We're trying to make sure this is not 'grass tops,' as they say, but grassroots, and really getting input from the most impacted communities throughout the Bronx."

The grant will also support improvements to physical infrastructure in the form of hubs. Local climate resiliency hubs at three public sites will be equipped with solar panels, wireless charging stations, water catchment systems and more. They will serve as havens during emergency and climate-related events.

Sánchez pointed out the projects planned under the program will involve three components: community engagement, planning and advocacy. He noted the community had been planning long before the grant arrived.

"Our partner orgs have been advocating for improvements locally and statewide for some time now," Sánchez emphasized. "Including advocating with New York Renews and asking for dedicated budgets for communities such as ours."

He stressed in the past, the community feels it has been neglected by government agencies but is heartened by the possibilities the program will bring.

"I think this investment represents hope," Sánchez observed. "I think it represents a new way of engaging with federal, state and city issues and projects and proposals but also not just reactive and responsive to existing proposals but solutions."


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Jimmy Carter, seen here with Mashun D. Simon and Carter's wife Rosalynn, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his many years of international humanitarian service. (Photo courtesy of Simon)

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