Planet Philadelphia has partnered in some projects through the the Franklin Institute's Climate Urban Systems Partnership or CUSP. This page is in the works, but it will feature some of these very interesting sound projects.
Socially Just Climate Futures in Philadelphia
This series reflects on Philadelphia’s climate adaptation process and its implications for equity and social justice. Sustainability planning often focuses on the need for equity across generations, yet inequities exist within the current generation, as evidenced by Philadelphia’s high rates of poverty, unemployment, and crime. Adapting to climate change may reinforce existing inequities and create new ones. This series uncovers the ways in which climate change differentially impacts individuals and communities and highlights the importance of transitioning Philadelphia to a just and equitable climate-ready city. Each episode addresses a different aspect of climate change, including how to adapt to a hotter and wetter climate using green infrastructure; addressing existing inequities, such as food insecurity, that could be exacerbated by a changing climate; and examining Philadelphia’s treatment of Puerto Rican evacuees following Hurricane Maria.
This series was produced by 17 undergraduate students at Temple University enrolled in the “Geography of Hazards” course offered by the Geography and Urban Studies Department in Spring 2018. Dr. Hamil Pearsall, a professor in the Geography and Urban Studies Department at Temple, supervised the project. The students worked in groups of four to five to create each of the four episodes, and each group partnered with a local organization or agency in Philadelphia: Philadelphia Horticultural Society, Temple University Office of Sustainability, Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Kay Wood, from Planet Philadelphia, an environmental radio show on G-town radio in Philadelphia at 92.9FM WGGTLP, and Richard Johnson, CUSP Project Manager at the Franklin Institute, provided guidance on science communication. Tim Chaten shared his expertise with podcast production.
This project was funded by the Climate and Urban Systems Partnership mini-grant competition, run by the Franklin Institute. We are grateful for this support to provide Temple University students with a unique opportunity to learn about local climate impacts and climate communication through conversations and connections with organizations and residents in Philadelphia and to share their podcasts with the greater Philadelphia community via Planet Philadelphia. Any questions about the project can be directed to Dr. Hamil Pearsall (hamil.pearsall [at] temple.edu)
Please see below for the list of episodes, names of students who created the episode, and the project partners who provided support and mentorship.
1. Tending Trees, Creating Community 00:01:30 This episode seeks to understand why university students aren’t aware or involved in citywide tree planting efforts and discusses some potential ways to improve student involvements. Students: Connor Caruso, Imer Huertas, Jessica Quinones, Kelly Shields Partner: Mindy Maslin, Project Manager, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Tree Tenders Program
2. Puddle Troubles00:11:30 This episode explores why many Philadelphians aren’t aware of one critical environmental issue that will be exacerbated by climate change: stormwater runoff. This episode also discusses how green infrastructure can mitigate this issue and the role of programs like the Rain Check program in expanding opportunities for Philadelphia residents to install green infrastructure on their properties. Students: Andrew Barron, Maddy Miller, Caroline Muehlbronner, Alesha Rinker, Max Urban Partner: Zachary Popkin, Program Manager, Philadelphia Water Department’s Rain Check Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
3. The obstacles faced by Puerto Rican evacuees following Hurricane Maria 00:20:59 This podcast shares some of the key challenges that Puerto Rican evacuees who came to Philadelphia after Hurricane Maria have faced in obtaining critical resource and services during their relocation. Students: Jillian Eller, Alyssa O'Dea, Mario Rocchi, Eric Sphar Partner: Chad Thomas, Communications Outreach Coordinator, from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness
4. Sustainability on Temple's campus and within the Philadelphia Community 00:34:48 This podcast addresses food insecurity in North Philadelphia and the potential of urban gardens to provide fresh produce and food sovereignty in the local community. Students: Rachel Hreben, Lauren Moore, Emilee Matey, Natalie Wulff Partner: Kathleen Grady, Director of the Temple University Office of Sustainability
Additional credits: Andrew Barron created the introductory music for the series.