In the absence of federal leadership, researchers hope state, regional, local governments and policymakers will fill the gap and protect their most vulnerable residents now that they have these evidence-based maps showing which hazardous sites are likely to flood and who’s most at risk. /end

So many people are already suffering from industry’s noxious releases, said Richmond resident Luna Angulo. How are they supposed to handle even more toxic threats from rising seas when they have nowhere else to go? /11

Richmond has nearly two dozen sites at risk of flooding by century’s end, including Chevron’s Richmond refinery, chemical plants near schools and a sewage plant near an elementary school and urban farm /10 coastal.climatecentral.org/map/12/-122....

We focused on Richmond, Calif., where the 2012 catastrophic Chevron refinery fire haunts the collective memory of this working-class town, where industrial accidents regularly plague largely Black and Latino neighborhoods surrounded by polluting railroads, deepwater ports and freeways. /9

“Ideally we would have a federal government that was enabling communities to plan and respond and proactively address these risks,” said author Rachel Morello-Frosch. “But right now, these states are left to their own devices,” she said, referring to Trump’s massive cuts to federal programs. /8

Those most impacted are least able to cope with contaminated floodwaters inundating their neighborhoods. They include Hispanic residents, single parents, nonvoters, renters, people over 65, and those in poverty, without access to a vehicle or with limited English skills. /7

The vast majority of hazardous sites like to flood are concentrated in just seven states: topping the list is Louisiana, with its dense concentration of oil and gas wells, followed by Florida, New Jersey, Texas, California, New York and Massachusetts. /6 insideclimatenews.org/wp-content/u...

Oil and gas wells and TRI facilities together make up ~70% of sites likely to flood by 2100. Other facilities include sewage treatment plants; fossil fuel ports and terminals; former defense sites; and power plants. /5 insideclimatenews.org/wp-content/u...

Now researchers from the University of California, @climatecentral.org and Nanjing University have identified 5,500 toxic facilities along U.S. coasts at risk of flooding by 2100, if little is done to stem climate pollution. /4 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

It’s becoming increasingly clear that living near coastal hazardous sites raises the risk of toxic exposures to pathogen-laden sewage, chemicals, petroleum products and more as sites are inundated by extreme floods that are becoming more common with rising seas. /3

Sites that store, produce or handle hazardous materials, like refineries and chemical plants, often sit near coasts to access trade routes. Who tends to live near these polluting facilities? Low-income communities of color. Why? Racist, discriminatory policies on lending, housing, employment. /2

Thanks, Lela! And so great to see you in VT!