In the American South, systemic disinvestment has left Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities disproportionately vulnerable to environmental hazards and climate disasters. From Brunswick, Georgia—where Black neighborhoods are surrounded by toxic Superfund sites—to rural areas plagued by poor health outcomes, the consequences of environmental injustice are severe and growing.
Brunswick residents have been exposed to hazardous chemicals for decades, with levels of toxins like toxaphene and PCBs far exceeding the national average. These pollutants, coupled with recurring disasters like a 2023 chemical plant explosion, paint a stark picture of communities left behind. Meanwhile, inadequate healthcare access and limited resources further entrench the cycle of inequity.
The Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) is rethinking what’s possible, equipping communities to fight for environmental cleanup, advocate for equitable policies, and prepare for a future defined by resilience. With values-based organizing rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, PSE brings together residents, healthcare providers, and policymakers to confront the crisis head-on. Their work is already reshaping cities and saving millions in energy costs, proving that when equity leads, transformation follows.