Struggling to Breathe in 48217, Michigan's Most Toxic ZIP Code
Provided by: Detroit Metro Times|Published on: April 27, 2021
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Civics, Health
Authors: Steve Neaving
Region: North America, USA - Midwest, United States, Michigan
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article addresses issues of environmental racism in Detroit, Michigan, by explaining the negative health impacts of the toxic chemicals released by factories in the area.
- The environmental justice movement is highlighted as an important approach to alleviating environmental racism and creating healthier communities.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The article provides historic insight into the changes that have taken place in the community over time, which has led to the issues they are facing today.
- The article illustrates environmental racism and the need for environmental justice.
Additional Prerequisites
- Per the scientist notes, it will be helpful to discuss the difference between facts and opinions with students.
- Providing students with some background on environmental racism and environmental justice can also help students better understand the article.
Differentiation
- The article includes links to additional studies and information. Teachers can assign groups of students to explore one of the resources and report back key information to the class.
- The article can be read independently, in small groups, or aloud as a whole group to best meet the needs of your students.
- Social studies, civics, or history classes can further explore the many different government organizations and policies mentioned in the article to learn their history and assess their effectiveness.
- In science classes, students can research how the chemicals discussed in the article impact the environment and climate.
- In language arts classes, students can distinguish which claims are well supported by evidence and which are not, and discuss bias in the article.
Resource has too many competing conflicts of interest. For instance, the statement by Justin Onwenu "politicians have been kicking environmental justice down the road for too long" seems biased and subjective since it is not supported with facts. Also in the content is "a company controlled by the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, buying petroleum waste and selling it on the international market" may be correct too, but it's a subjective and biased report since they are not supported with scientific facts. Resource is recommended, but educators should take notice while teaching students. Date: 05/11/2021
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
