Navigating the Aftermath: Environmental Justice After Hurricane Irene

The sun had barely risen on the day Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc when the serenity of the Plaza Apartments in downtown New Brunswick was mercilessly shattered by the hurricane. The once tranquil atmosphere was replaced by the power and fury of a raging storm, a stark reminder of the urgent environmental crisis we face. With its destructive path, the hurricane left behind a trail of devastation, despair, and a haunting question that reverberates through the air: are we really prepared to meet the growing challenge of climate change?

For the residents of Plaza Square, a large portion of whom are Rutgers students, the hurricane represented much more than a natural disaster. The hurricane awakened people to a profound realization of the reality of our fragile existence. The aftermath of the hurricane was bleak and depressing: apartments flooded, cherished possessions irreparably damaged, and an overwhelming sense of vulnerability even after the waters receded. Amidst the chaos and rubble, however, a larger story begins to unravel–a story that goes to the heart of environmental ethics and the pursuit of justice.

The immediate impact of the hurricane was devastating, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Once-vibrant apartments, inhabited by a diverse community including a large number of international students, were flooded. Ricky Luo, a sophomore at Rutgers University, was one of those affected and found himself completely taken aback by the sudden and overwhelming force of nature. Recalling the experience, he likened it to living in the center of a vast ocean and feeling helpless.

We now wonder how the condominium side is handling the aftermath. For example, private cars were scrapped because of the flooding, but owners were told by the condo house that they needed to contact their own insurance company to deal with the situation, even though the damage to the vehicles was partly due to the condo not notifying them in a timely manner. Many of the tenants were very disappointed with the apartment and said they would not renew their leases.

The management team stated, "We as a management company were not warned either and the NBPD themselves told us that they were not even anticipating water levels that height and to rise as quickly as they did," said Angelica Frucci, former Plaza Square Community Manager. Six months after the flood, Renaissance Management officially purchased the property and replaced the entire management team.

As the community grappled with the aftermath of the disaster, deeper questions about environmental justice began to surface. The disaster was a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by international students who were far from the familiarity of their homes and lacked knowledge of emergency protocols. Their plight raised a critical question that demanded attention: How do you survive a crisis in a foreign country with limited support and resources?

In the aftermath of the disaster, Rutgers University recognized that some groups were disproportionately affected by the environmental hazards and immediately implemented plans to better equip its diverse student body to cope with future emergencies. They organized workshops focused on disaster preparedness, offered support services in multiple languages, and fostered a sense of student solidarity through community-building activities.

But that's not all. Rutgers embarked on an ambitious journey of environmental transformation. They developed a comprehensive environmental action plan with the goal of reducing their carbon footprint and promoting sustainability. Through this plan, Rutgers expressed its motivation to respond to the environmental crisis and proactively address climate change. But if we want to see commitment or remediation for the looming East Coast rainfall and flooding and the people in the communities affected by it, we'll probably have to look elsewhere or wait until the institution's commitment expires.

As we reflect on what happened at the Plaza Square Apartments, we can't help but think that the fight against climate change is about more than reducing emissions and conserving resources. It's about building a world where equitable environmental rights issues are actively explored, and where communities and businesses and people on both sides of the aisle spontaneously work for each other's benefit.