https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49 The topic I will be focusing on for this project is the sugar field burning in Pahokee, Florida. Pahokee is home to a low economic and heavily African American community. Also, located in Florida sugar cane is grown throughout the state. For many generations, Florida sugar cane farmers have been burning their sugar cane in order to reduce transportation costs. As a result of this, the air surrounding these sugar cane farms turn black and make it hard for these communities to breathe. Individuals and families who live around these areas will call it “black snow” as when winter arrives their snow turns to black. For my topic I will focus on the air pollution that burning these sugar cane farms create. I will also focus on the inequality that is represented as many of the communities who live there are low income, and black. These relate to topics discussed in class like environmental justice. Another topic that we have discussed in class that relates to my project proposal is slow violence. Slow violence is violence that is gradual and doesn’t show signs right away. Smoke can have long term consequences on individuals through the air such as multiple health issues. Many families don’t see the effects of the smoke right away but as years go by are starting to notice the effects. Also, those parents' children are becoming greatly affected as their bodies are still developing and having such pollution come into contact with them at an early age isn’t healthy. en-us 2023-05-02 17:41:30 UTC 2026-03-07 17:59:53 UTC hello@padlet.com mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578565787 In this article, Robert Mitchell discusses the laws that are being put into place in favor for the injustice. Further in the article he talks about a new bill being passed by the Florida Legislature. A bill labelled "Right to Farm" took away the rights of citizens to seek legal action from the burning as they added "particle emissions" to the list of protected farming practices. A repeal is in action to remove "particle emissions" so that those citizens are able to take legal action for the damage that has been done to them. There are some efforts being done to fix the pain they have caused to these individuals. I think this is a good start but it shouldn't stop there. ]]> 2023-05-04 16:48:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578565787 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578587571 One campaign that has been putting in efforts to stop the sugar field burning is the Stop the Burn Campaign. The campaign is for environmental justice where they replace locations where sugar fields were burned with burn-free green harvesting. Green harvesting is different to regular harvesting as instead of the sugar cane releasing smoke when burned they use those leaves and top to create more sources of income for the growers. Those apart of the campaign are ones who have been directly affected by the sugar field burning. It started in 2015 and the end goal is to stop sugar field burning overall.]]> 2023-05-04 17:07:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578587571 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578609731 Pahokee, Florida is known to be a predominantly African American, poor, rural town. In this town is where Florida sugar cane farmers set fire to their fields before the harvest so that they spend less when transporting their products. In result the fires produce a heavy smoke that surrounds the communities. It also will leaves burnt flakes of the product throughout their town. Many of the community members call this "black snow" as it looks like black snow is falling from the sky. Although this may be beneficial towards these farmers it leaves drastic impacts on those individuals living around the area. They are many health consequences that are a result of this burning.]]> 2023-05-04 17:25:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578609731 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578624874 This video shows what those citizens mean by "black snow". Flakes of the sugar cane that was burned falls from the sky which is where the name "black snow" comes from. Those farmers who contribute to this smoke are contributing to the slow violence with it. When they are burning these sugar canes they are only thinking about themselves and how they can produce more money. The affects of the smoke aren't sudden, it will have long lasting effects on them. Some of those health consequences include cancer, and lung problems. Children are starting to feel the effects at such an early age too.]]> 2023-05-04 17:37:40 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578624874 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578685605 The image above shows where the sugar cane burnings are taking place. The black spotted areas are where the sugar cane fields are as well as the burnings. Those are also just the burns for just that day. This photo goes to show how much of their area is being affected. There are many overlaps to these burnings which creates the big smoke affect. Individuals living in this area are affected by large amounts of smoke. These sugar field burnings may be in more isolated areas but this area is mainly poor and African-American based. These aren't rich, white areas where they can easily move or afford treatment to take care of themselves.]]> 2023-05-04 18:25:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578685605 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578695249 While citizens in Pahokee, Florida have to suffer through the "black snow" from the sugar cane burning they are now also facing affects from Covid-19. From just the smoke that is released from the burning many people have become hospitalized for several respiratory issues. The smoke leaves behind various lung problems, and those with asthma have even more trouble with it. Now with Covid-19 being added it makes these problems even worse. Those affected with Covid and exposed to the smoke have a higher chance of death than those who don't have Covid. Covid-19 is another disease that is damaging to the lungs so combined with the smoke has no good outcome.]]> 2023-05-04 18:33:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578695249 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578714612 There are many health consequences associated with the sugar cane burning. In this article researchers at FSU studied the real health affects from this. The first thing they found was that those residents living next to the field were 10 times more likely to die than those from outside areas. They also discovered that sugarcane fires resulted in 5,100 metric tons of the 2.5 micron particles annually. They found that these numbers are quite concerning as cars release 6,100 metric tons. Those particles affect individuals lungs and it goes to show how much affect that these sugar cane burnings have on these communities. There are several ways around this smoke but they still continue to burn down the fields knowing these health impacts.]]> 2023-05-04 18:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578714612 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578740025 Throughout this video we see 12 year old Kaniyah Patterson discuss the affects of the "black snow" on herself. Kaniyah already suffers with asthma and further explains how when the "black stuff" comes it makes it very difficult to breathe. She then talks about how it stuffs her nose up as well as stains her clothes. She even makes remarks on how its becoming difficult to hang out with friends and have a social life due to trying to avoid being outside. Not only is sugar cane field burning affecting individuals physically but socially as well. Many citizens avoid from going outside because of how hard it is to breathe. Someone at 12 years old shouldn't have to be dealing with this and should have the freedom to hang out with their friends outside. ]]> 2023-05-04 19:12:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578740025 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578752208 The image above is one of the posters associated with the Stop the Burn Campaign. This poster is presented all over other campaigns as well to promote individuals to go green and stop burning sugar field farms. The use of colors throughout the image show the two sides to it, one side of the burning where it's dark/gloomy where the go green side promotes a healthier lifestyle. I think this image is a good representation of what their society can look like if these sugar cane burnings were to stop. Using this image across the nation can help others who aren't affected by the problem to pitch in so hopefully changes can be made.]]> 2023-05-04 19:24:54 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578752208 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578766614 The video above shows a protest that occurred in 2019. While watching the video you can notice how those representing are predominantly black. One saying that he mentions in the video that stuck with me is where one of the commissioner discusses how her number one priority is to keep Florida safe and healthy. He goes onto say how actions speak so much louder than words. Many officials are claiming to wanting to put in efforts to help these communities but nothing is being done. These protests are a good way to encourage others to get involved and to fully express what is happening to them. Those directly getting affected by the smoke are the best people to speak out as they are the only ones who understand what is happening.]]> 2023-05-04 19:41:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578766614 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578789946 In Boca Raton, Florida, a law firm filed a lawsuit for the polluted smoke and "black snow" whenever the sugarcane fields are burned pre-harvesting. It compiled a lot of neighboring towns, Pahokee being one of them. Judge Smith dismissed the original lawsuit of smoke causing harm to residents but left it open for those stalks being burned produces pollutants. It also goes into detail about the inequality occurring as those towns are all non-white communities. The lawsuit also includes Covid-19 and how mortality rates will increase. Hopefully, we will see results with this lawsuit. The CDC does recommend a temporary ban on opening burning to reduce smoke exposure for those with Covid-19. That is just a recommendation though, no real action is being taken place.]]> 2023-05-04 20:11:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578789946 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578797835 In this article, they point out how many of these government officials have failed they're community has a whole. It goes into detail how those individuals deserve better after having to suffer through toxic and racist practices of sugar field burning. They explain how state officials also failed them by ignoring everything that is happening to them. They also speak on the propaganda being displayed and how that attacks them. By officials showing lying posters of how they aren't being affected is a straight shot at those communities. It's sad to see as there are real people suffering and some individuals seem to think it's a joke because they're not being affected.]]> 2023-05-04 20:19:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578797835 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578806890 Many activists have found a solution to the burning problem which is green harvesting. Green harvesting is where the sugarcane is harvested without burning it, and a residue remains on the soils surface. By not burning these farms, there would be an increase in soil carbon, and conserve soil water. Also, no burning will take place so no smoke will be released into communities. There may be some delayed growth on the sugar cane but I think farmers should be able to deal with that in order to save peoples lives. This to me is a win-win situation as farmers are still able to produce their crops while those living in surrounding areas don't have to deal with the long term consequences. ]]> 2023-05-04 20:31:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578806890 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578819210 Throughout this article, reporter Sandy Tolan interviews several people on their experience with the smoke. Philips is one to speak out on how they are experiencing pure racism. He explains how many kids have been moving here to be put straight onto asthma machines and when speaking out about it they're shot down. It's clear mainly black communities are being affected by this smoke and there isn't anything being done about it after speaking out plenty of times. Some have even lost their job for speaking out like Walkes. He spoke out about the injustice and environmental issues, where powerful people complained resulting in him getting fired.]]> 2023-05-04 20:47:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578819210 mckaylakardas https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578827903 The photo above shows both the percentages of what races are located in Pahokee as well as their income level. You can clearly see that it is mainly black residents in the community, along with Hispanics, with little to no white residents. These sugar cane farm burnings are clearly targeting those minority communities. You can also see from this image the income that comes through. Pahokee is one of the lowest with just above 25k. Not only are they targeting minorities but the poor as well. They have to struggle with their income and probably don't have the funds to provide the correct health treatment or even a way out like moving.]]> 2023-05-04 21:00:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mckaylakardas/v9daouxqpdd7gz49/wish/2578827903