Hurricane Katrina Revealed Many Social and Environmental Problems that already existed in New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina reveals how issues that affect people’s lives are brought to our attention after natural disasters. These problems include the impact of damage to the environment, race and class. When the natural landscape is replaced with an artificial one, communities become more vulnerable to events like hurricanes. Racial and class divisions also affect where people choose to live. This plays a role during natural disasters, because certain communities are more affected than others- and in their own ways.York's Knowledge Mobilization Unit provides services and funding for faculty, graduate students, and community organizations seeking to maximize the impact of academic research and expertise on public policy, social programming, and professional practice. It is supported by SSHRC and CIHR grants, and by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation. kmbunit@yorku.ca www.researchimpact.c