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Breathing Coal | Years of Living Dangerously


2m read
·Nov 11, 2024

What is this community like? 70% are Latino and African-American. It's a working-class community. How hard is it to get people in a town like this motivated to take on something this big? There are amazing people that I have met here that maybe have not ever been a part of a campaign in their lives, have never spoken publicly, have never knocked on doors, and they're doing it. It's almost like everyday people have to learn how to be activists. Absolutely.

AMERICA FERRERA: (VOICEOVER) Christine says that while a big part of the Beyond Coal strategy is to encourage locals to lead the charge, talking only about climate change isn't enough. In this community, the potential health impacts are more of a concern. And Christine says I'll understand why if I meet Dulce Ortiz, who lives and works downtown just a stone's throw from the coal plant.

Wow. Oh wow. That's right outside your window, huh?

Yes, it is.

What's that like?

It's frustrating and inspiring, but mostly frustrating.

AMERICA FERRERA: (VOICEOVER) Dulce tells me she's worried about the health impact the pollution from the plant might have on her 14-year-old son, Ivan, and her mother Sonya who also lives in town.

So what are some of the personal impacts that the coal plant has had on you guys?

You've developed similar issues.

Yes.

Is this something that is more widespread in the community, or is this just your family?

No, it's in the community. It's bad. Of course, we can't say that asthma is caused by the coal plant. But the pollution that's being put out into the air creates the asthma attacks.

AMERICA FERRERA: (VOICEOVER) Dulce explains that such attacks are common in Waukegan. One study found that one in three schoolchildren had asthma or asthma-like symptoms—a rate far higher than in the rest of the state. But before meeting Christine, Dulce didn't even realize what the plant outside her window was.

You didn't know there was a coal plant?

No, I don't know! I told Christine, what can I do? What do you want me to do? Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.

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