Wilmington Imagery - Ben Kiler

 

For my first image, I wanted to look for a visual element that emphasizes how active the ports directly affecting Wilmington are. The second busiest container port in the US, the Port of Long Beach (adjacent from the Port of LA, the largest in the country) is filled with hundreds of shipping trucks, containers, and massive cargo ships that burn low grade fuel due to lax environmental regulations. Located a few miles from Wilmington, these ports serve as one of the most significant contributing factors in health and air quality issues in the neighborhood.

 I think it's really important to highlight how close these sources of pollution are to Wilmington. Unlike other common cases in America in which adverse health effects occur through indirect sources such as far off winds or water contamination, these daunting oil refineries are mere blocks away from residential districts. No amount of refurbishing or infrastructure repair can prevent the entry of potentially harmful atmospheric pollutants into homes.

Another example of how the residents of Wilmington are affected by the presence of these oil refineries is the overlooked aspect of visual pollution. Not only are these monolithic refineries a short walk away from the homes of families, including young children and those with chronic lung conditions, but they disturb the visual beauty of California. Known across the globe for its beautiful views and typically fantastic weather, both of these parts of California life are stripped from the residents of Wilmington whose homes suffer from these towering obstructions.


Comments

  1. Daniel HulbertMarch 2, 2021 at 4:22 PM

    Hello Ben! Your images fit your project very well and are also quite interesting. The First image of the port is impressive in that it clearly shows the size and scope of the industry that operates there. This image makes me believe that this port is the second largest and also leads me to believe its environmental impact can be felt by the neighboring population. Your other two images also serve this goal very well in that they both show the proximity and pollution that this port has brought to the city of Wilmington. Great images and Good luck on the Project!

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