The Physical and Social Environments
Facts about Texas:
- Second largest state after Alaska
- Texas occupies about 7% of the total water and land area of the United States
- Geography across the state is diverse, prohibiting broad categorization of the state as a region
- Split up into North Texas, East Texas, Central Texas, South Texas, and West Texas
- Big environmental problems include poor air and water quality as a result of pollution from oil refineries and chemical plants, as well as the effects of oil spill
Facts about Houston:
- Most populous city in the Southern United States
- The ninth-largest city in the United states by area
- Temperate grassland vegetation
- Very flat, making flooding a recurring problem
- It is the largest city in the United States without zoning laws
Facts about Dallas:
- Located in North-central Texas
- Third largest city Texas
- Humid and subtropical climate
- One of the state’s top tourist destinations
- A prominent transportation hub
The Social Environment (People Care about Their Environment!)
- Texas voters want more funding for state parks
- Tons of activism across the state
- About 40 nationally recognized environment advocacy groups/organizations to get involved with
- Top Issues in Texas Legislature in 2019 placed Hurricane Harvey (insert hyperlink to our page Damage from Hurricanes) recovery funding at #5
Environmental Justice in Houston and Dallas 