https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/nres_rpt/30
Date of Award
9-2022
Degree Name
MS in Environmental Sciences and Management
Department
Natural Resources Management
College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Anastasia Telesetsky
Advisor Department
Natural Resources Management
Advisor College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Academics, regulators, and the public currently use geospatial analysis tools to identify locations that may be candidates for further environmental justice review in the continental United States (U.S.). However, current environmental justice geospatial analysis tools overlook a small but significant portion of the U.S. - the U.S. Pacific Islands. This study analyzes environmental justice within the U.S. Territory of Guam using existing geospatial analysis methods and publicly available environmental, climate, and socio-economic data. This research aims to: (1) spatially map relevant demographic, environmental, and climate data and (2) determine the correlation, if any, between the exposure to environmental hazards, climate vulnerabilities and the socio-economic status of populations. This study concludes that significant positive and negative correlation exists between environmental hazard indicators, socio-economic status indicators, and climate indicators. Scientists, regulators, and the public can utilize the methodology and conclusions of this work to drive future spatial analysis of environmental justice in the U.S. Pacific Islands.