Sustainability

Using data to foster equitable and sustainable planning across communities

August 27, 2021

Global

Using data to foster equitable and sustainable planning across communities

August 27, 2021

Global
Michael Paterra

Senior manager, Policy & insights

Michael Paterra is a senior manager on the Policy & Insights team at Economist Impact. Michael leads research programs for foundations, governments, nonprofits and corporates seeking evidence-based analysis to inform policy recommendations and strategy development. He specialises in the intersection of security, health, migration and the environment. At Economist Impact he leads research on a number of benchmarking indexes, including the Global Health Security Index, a 195-country study on epidemic and pandemic preparedness. Michael previously spent time specializing in global labour market research and international labour statistics at The Conference Board. He holds a Master's degree in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree in economic and political science from the University of Delaware.

Sustainability is the collective product of how we live and interact with the environment within our own communities. Lower-income, marginalised communities and communities of colour are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards, degradation, injustice and a changing climate. They are more likely, for example, to breathe in polluted air, live near coal plants and toxic sites. 
 
Investments in sustainability should prioritise the needs of these frontline communities, yet progress towards sustainability and environmental justice goals is mixed across the US. For example, 25% of US households face a high energy burden and two million rural Americans lack access to running water and basic indoor plumbing.
 
Better data and technology can help close the equity gap in frontline communities by providing local leaders with tools to better inform local planning—including advocating for and monitoring investments in clean energy managing waste, accessing clean water and protecting local ecosystems—to bring about a more sustainable, just and resilient future.

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