On June 21, 2019, the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex exploded. In this feature article, readers learn how student researchers with the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities (PPEH) partnered with community leaders who live near the site of the refinery to imagine a “future beyond refining.” The article centers the experience of community members who detail the physical, emotional, and mental effects of living in the shadow of the refinery, while also shining a spotlight on the work of Penn students and faculty to collect oral histories and create a digital tour and mapping project of the neighborhood that captures and amplifies the wishes of neighborhood residents. The article places this community partnership in the context of PPEH's larger mission to connect the study of climate change with the lived experiences of people in urban environments, and the need to prioritize climate justice. The design of the article and watercolor-style illustrations highlight the environmental impact of the refinery and climate change.
From the Judges
The illustration is wonderful, and it succeeds beautifully in its effort to convey darkness and optimism at once. The metallic ink adds a luminosity that comes through even in the pdf. There was a lot of type to handle on this cover, and it was done with a really deft touch. The soft blue in the secondary lines and subtle box on “Confronting the Pandemic” were perfect touches.
