Industry and Pollution

Pollution's Impact

With the growth of cities and factories in the Industrial Revolution, a huge toll was taken on the natural environment.

Rapid urbanization led to highly populated and dirty cities, with factories spewing coal powered pollutants into the air.

Improper practices led to pollution not only in the air, but even in the waterways, which disproportionately effects Black and Brown communities to this day.

Aerial photos of Industrial pollution

Bob Dylan's message for the Earth

Marvin Gaye's Lament

Broken by Xiuhtezcatl - a current day activist and rapper

Birds Watching

Water crisis in Flint, Michigan A modern impact of industrialization

EPA Pollution Study

Environmental Impact of Industrial Revolution

"Birds Watching" by Jenny Kendler

A 40 foot sculpture installed in Chicago depicting eyes of birds on the endangered species list. A byproduct of industrialization and the climate crisis, is the loss of biodiversity across the planet. It is our responsibility to protect other species we share this planet with.

Man thinks 'cause he rules the earth, he can do with it as he please And if things don't change soon, he will Oh, man has invented his doom. First step was touching the moon.

Did you know...

In April 2014, one hundred thousand residents of Flint, Michigan were exposed to hazardous levels of lead poisoning due to neglected pipes and water systems. Residents are still feeling the pain and consequences today, as seen in this Harvard Public Health article. (Click the trash can)

"Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east""Radiation under ground and in the sky Animals and birds who live nearby are dying" Marvin Gaye laments the destruction of the Earth at human hands in this song.

People of color and Pollution...

Over time, through all kinds of pollutant emissions, people of color and pollution have been pushed together. Black, brown, and indigenous people are disproportionately exposed to a pollutant called fine particulate matter due to living closer to sources of pollution. This can have negative impacts on lung and heart health, especially to more vulnerable people such as older or those with disabilities.

The troubles of Pollution..

• New technolgies and fast production also brought heavy pollution.
• Improper disposal of sewage, waste, and debris seeped into waterways, causing disease and loss of wildlife.
• Coal became a necessity for heating, steam engines, and other modern technologies, but greatly contributed to pollution around the world.

“How will you look your child in the eyes and tell them Their future wasn’t worth fighting for, could’ve done more but didn’t listen Didn’t wake up, didn’t speak up, didn’t fight back when there was still time.”