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In the interview with Emily Roehl, artist Steve Rowell describes his style in contrast to the more "didactic" approach of land use and documentary photography. Instead, he has come to combine his visual works with sound installations that are meant to unsettle. These sounds are often generated based on air pollution data that he has collected (Roehl and Rowell, 2022, p. 137). Rowell further describes how changes in the development of aerial video and photography technology have shaped his work. In the past, Rowell would rent expensive camera equipment and attach them to a helicopter to generate fly-over images (Roehl and Rowell, 2022, p. 140). Though commercial drones have become available, Rowell says that he soon got dissatisfied with the "slick" images they produce. When using drones, Rowell relies on an angle that faces down or is close-up, creating feelings of uncanniness. These unusual perspectives are combined with split imagery and mirroring to achieve a specific effect: “There’s a value in giving the viewer/listener a chance to distrust the work in the same way there’s value in giving them room to question the work. The landscapes I feature are all altered. What landscape isn’t now? That’s the point.” (Roehl and Rowell, 2022, p. 140).

Steve Rowell is an educator and research artist, currently working on “long-term projects that use image, sound, and archival practice to interrogate the relationship between humans, industry, and the environment” (Roehl and Rowell, 2022, p. 136). Rowell has worked extensively with the Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI) in Los Angeles, including a comissioned project for which he photographed every petrochemical plant in Texas (ibid, p. 137). In subsequent projects, he has focused on tracing pipelines going from the Alberta Tar Sands to petrochemical communities in Long Beach, California and Port Arthur, Texas. Another recent project focuses on the industrial ecology of Houston's Buffalo Bayou. 

1. What are PODER’s primary goals and objectives regarding environmental justice and social sustainability? 

2. Could you describe the organization’s stance on current political and social issues?

By working closely with the communities it seeks to support, PODER advances justice and good governance by emphasizing the voices of stakeholders in the affected neighborhoods. Doing so is challenging the systemic inequalities and promoting environmental and social sustainability; these practices are significant because they would benefit all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, or income level.

In the media, PODER is generally recognized as one of the leading environmental justice organizations advocating for social and environmental justice in the Bay Area. It has been praised for its work in promoting environmental justice and initiatives that support affordable housing. Still, it has also faced criticism from some groups who disagree with its political positions and tactics.

PODER functions within the environmental justice sector, advocating for equitable and sustainable solutions to ecological problems in low-income communities of color in the San Francisco Mission District. 

1. PODER collaborates with other community-based organizations and other parties that can advance its goals. Their list of collaborative organizations includes and is not limited to; the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, the Bayview Hunters Point Mothers and Fathers Committee, and the San Francisco Rising Alliance. 

Changes in government policies and regulations can impact the organization's ability to achieve its goals, requiring innovative and creative solutions to continue developing new opportunities for organizing and advocacy. Shifting public opinion and media coverage can also affect how the public and policymakers perceive the organization.

1.  Given the nature of PODER's work, environmental racism, injustice, and compounding effects of intersectionality are challenges present within this organization and relate to their modes of advocacy. Keeping the community engaged and participating in efforts is challenging because stakeholders often require volunteer time and effort to participate in different activities and advocacy efforts. This in itself is an issue all organizations can struggle with.  

1. Among the organizations I have looked at thus far, PODER offers programming and mentorship opportunities specifically to mobilize the youth; this is not something they claim to be as unique and singular to their organization, but when compared to the others, this proactive attempt to drive interest and importance of environmental issues to youth is a great strategy to implement for future ecological justice activists, advocates, and champions.