• Jessica Colarossi

    Science Writer Twitter Profile

    Jessica Colarossi is a science writer for The Brink. She graduated with a BS in journalism from Emerson College in 2016, with focuses on environmental studies and publishing. While a student, she interned at ThinkProgress in Washington, D.C., where she wrote over 30 stories, most of them relating to climate change, coral reefs, and women’s health. Profile

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There are 5 comments on In Boston, COVID-19 and Climate Change Are Hitting the Same Communities the Hardest

  1. You are on to something very important, which has been neglected for decades.

    There is really an urgent need to document life conditions for various groups and in various areas in Mass. The United Nations Human Development reports, particularly the national level reports, may provide a suitable format for how this can be approached. There is in fact an American version that does look at the local level also.

    This would be something for BU to take up, perhaps with alumni, and an initial focus on elders as well as Hispanics and Blacks.

    The point would be that we could address several major policy concerns simultaneously and cost effectively and in the process elevate the reputation and profile of BU to an even higher level.

    Best. Ove Bjerregaard GRS 79 Development Economics and former UNDP senior staff member.

  2. This article is deceptive in too many ways to site them all in a comment. One particular quote: “Boston, and ideally, universally improving social and health outcomes by transitioning away from fossil fuels like natural gas and oil.”

    Natural gas has little to no role in producing PM 2.5 particulates as determined by the U.S. Energy Information Administration EIA.

    “EIA notes that natural gas “produces virtually no SO2 emissions and negligible levels of PM2.5,” which is reflected in the fact that U.S. SO2 emissions have declined 82 percent since 2005 at the same time natural gas consumption has increased 25 percent and natural gas-fired electricity generation has increased 81 percent.” The use of natural gas is actually a good thing.

    This is just one example of the author’s slanted reporting and misstatement of facts. I’m disappointed in the quality of graduates Boston University is producing. This reporter writes well but the content is lacking. And, you have also produced AOC with a degree in Economics from BU who can barely string two coherent economic statements together.

    I graduated with a BA in Economics from the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) in the ’70s. I used to be a proud alum. Not so much anymore as the liberal/socialist bent of the institution continues to grow. Ideology over facts.

    1. Hi Ed, Kat McAlpine, editor of The Brink here. Thanks for reading our story and writing us re: natural gas. I did want to point out that natural gas does contribute methane to the atmosphere, which in turn contributes to the greenhouse gas effect and global warming, and ultimately has very real health consequences especially for the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Although natural gas is arguably a much better option than burning coal, because of the reasons you outline, its relationship with increasing methane levels in the atmosphere does not make it the best long term option. I’m a big fan of National Geographic, and their recent story does a great job breaking down the pros and cons of natural gas: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/02/super-potent-methane-in-atmosphere-oil-gas-drilling-ice-cores/

  3. It is a fair critique to point out that ThinkProgress is a far-left publication stressing environmental fatalism and anti-Trump ideology. Prof Cleveland’s views reflect his interest and training in Geography – mapping, urban design, water. His comments here reflected a disproportionate adverse impact of carbon on minorities. Social equity then would be to equalize that impact. His comments did not mention climate change specifically. As a BU alum, I appreciate hearing all views. This is the failure, Jessica, there is no balance or other view. Resist the urge to use Bostonian as an extension of “ThinkProgress” propagandist ideologies. This is Bostonian.

    1. Hi Peter, thanks for reading our story on The Brink. I wanted to make sure that you saw Prof. Cleveland’s quote, near the top of story: “Populations that are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus are largely the same as those at risk of more significant climate change impacts, including actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that could further perpetuate inequities.”

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