Applying a novel systems approach to address systemic environmental injustices

Abstract

The knowledge of unsustainable human and Earth system interactions is widespread, especially in light of systemic environmental injustices. Systems science has enabled complex and rigorous understandings of human and Earth system dynamics, particularly relating to pollution of Earth’s land, water, air, and organisms. Given that many of these systems are not functioning sustainably or optimally, how might this field enable both rigorous understanding of the issues and experiments aimed at alternative outcomes? Here, we put forth a novel, multiscale systems science approach with three steps: (1) understanding the systemic issues at hand, (2) identifying systemic interventions, and (3) applying experiments to study the efficacy of such interventions. We illustrate this framework through the ubiquitous and yet frequently underrecognized issue of soil lead (Pb). First, we describe the systemic interactions of humans and soil Pb at micro-, meso-, and macroscales in time and space. We then discuss interventions for mitigating soil Pb exposure at each scale. Finally, we provide examples of applied and participatory experiments to mitigate exposure at different scales currently being conducted in New York City, NY, USA. We put forth this framework to be flexibly applied to contamination issues in other regions and to other pressing environmental issues of our time.

Assessing Unequal Airborne Exposure to Lead Associated With Race in the USA

“…The fundamental issue is to prevent Pb exposure by children in the first place. Egendorf, Groffman, et al (2021) described the systemic interactions of humans and soil Pb at various scales in time and space. They discussed interventions for mitigating soil Pb exposure at each scale and provided examples of applied and participatory experiments to mitigate exposure at different scales currently being conducted in New York City, NY, USA.…”

“…They discussed interventions for mitigating soil Pb exposure at each scale and provided examples of applied and participatory experiments to mitigate exposure at different scales currently being conducted in New York City, NY, USA. (Egendorf, Groffman, et al., 2021 )” The intervention of Pb‐contaminated soils has received attention from researchers in nations around the world (Laidlaw et al., 2017 ). Mapping soil Pb is an important first step, for example, Figure 1 (Mielke et al., 2022 ).…”

“…There are a wide variety of methods available for soil Pb remediation. One method is capping the areas with the most highly contaminated soil with low Pb soil (Egendorf, Groffman, et al., 2021 , Laidlaw et al., 2017 ). Every city has naturally low‐Pb soil source in the outskirts and rural areas away from the traffic‐congested, core of the city.…”

Effectiveness of washing in reducing lead concentrations of lettuce grown in urban garden soils

“…Lead adhering to soil particles may move down a soil profile over decadal scales, or Pb concentrations may be diluted as organic matter and other amendments are added to surface layers (Mielke et al., 2019). However, the legacy of Pb in urban soils continues to pose risks to urban populations, especially young children (Egendorf, Groffman, et al., 2021).…”

Nature-Based Solutions for Cities

“…After an initial test, Mun began to work with Brooklyn College's Soil and Microbiology Lab to research whether the fungi could break down long-chained toxins found in the creek's groundwater. However, like Chin's work, Mun's efforts could not extract a significant concentration of contaminants from the site(Egendorf et al 2021). The project was successful in other ways, though, bringing together diverse communities across the city to participate in hands-on workshops and training, producing educational materials, and highlighting the potential for bioremediation strategies to remediate the creek.…”