Toxic Past, Heated Future: Resilience at the Portland Harbor

We often think of the Willamette River as a scenic backdrop for recreation, but for many, it is a site of "slow violence".

On this episode of Locus Focus, Dr. Vivek Shandas of Portland State University explores how the harbor’s industrial legacy—a "toxic graveyard" of World War II ships and heavy industry—is now colliding with the modern threat of climate change and extreme heat. We talk about how industrial corridors like Swan Island and the Portland Harbor are "heat islands," reaching temperatures up to 15° - 20°F hotter than surrounding residential zones, and the health and environment justice issues that urgently need to be addressed.