Cumulative environmental impacts and social vulnerability in the San Joaquin Valley, California

Researchers in environment justice (EJ) are concerned with the differential distribution of environment hazards and benefits based on race or class. Quantifying the spatial distribution of cumulative impacts from multiple environmental hazards and social vulnerability of communities based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics would provide valuable knowledge for EJ advocacy work, policy discussion and the academic community. In this context, our paper developed and mapped (1) a cumulative environmental hazard index (CEHI) and (2) a social vulnerability index (SVI) in the San Joaquin Valley, CA. A correlation analysis was conducted between the two indexes. Results showed that (1) CEHI and SVI are significantly correlated indicating that areas that are more socially vulnerable are impacted by more environmental hazards. (2) Areas close to the highways tend to be more socially vulnerable and impacted by more environmental hazards.