Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar speaks during a meeting Tuesday. [City of Chicago livestream]

While several people were critical of a study that examined how different areas of the city are affected by environmental, health and social factors because of how the study uses census tracts to determine which areas face the heaviest burdens, city officials and alderpeople said the analysis is just the first step in ensuring environmental justice for all Chicagoans.   

Officials stressed the importance of working with community organizations and individuals who are disproportionately affected by pollution and other social issues and allowing them to help find solutions.