An overlying theme in the excerpt written by Angotti is that a strong will and actions taken by the community are essential to initiate a change. There is an ironic dilemma that surrounds environmental justice and the communities that are trying to work towards a better life. If communities stay silent about the environmental injustice they face, they will just continue to suffer since the government glances over their problems. However, if the communities take action and get results, they would be displaced by gentrification and the increase in property values. Therefore, there is a need for the emphasis of environmental justice and community development. Angotti specifically speaks about the air pollution in the South Bronx, implying it is a well-known issue that should have steps taken to reduce it rather than add to it. The government consciously chooses what community that industrial planning should disadvantage. For example, a water filtration plant was moved to the North Bronx from the original plan of Westchester County. Also, in the 1990s, a medical waste incinerator was moved from Rockland and instead built in the South Bronx. Engineers said that there would be no pollutants released in the air, but a single failure would have a huge effect on the community. The community is still living with poor air quality to this day.

Organizations such as Mothers on the Move and Hunts Point Rangers, a group of teens, work to take action for environmental justice. A large problem in the area is the air pollution caused by diesel trucks. The Cross-Bronx Expressway is a large source of air pollution. This is the same issue many have with FreshDirect, since it will only add to a preexisting problem. A plan mentioned would be to redirect trucks to different routes to lessen the effect of exhaust in specific areas. Almost half of New Yorkers do not use vehicles daily, but 54% of pollution is caused by transportation. The Department of Transportation planned to just move cars at a faster speed to decrease pollution but this can be considered a static solution. This leads to chronic health issues such as asthma centralized in the area. OWN has devised a plan to reduce truck pollution and create a much more equal system. Instead another plan was to distribute waste transfer systems to other areas to share the burden of waste as well as decrease air pollution. When well thought plans are created, it shows that the organization, for example, Act Up, is serious about the issue. When people heard Act Up speak about the issue, they saw that they were educated about the subject and that gave them power. Education about the issues is key in creating a difference.

Discussion Question: What are other possible solutions South Bronx Unite can use to have their voice heard about the FreshDirect relocation?