Climate change affects everyone in the world, but not in the same way or equally. Black American communities are fighting a war of two battles: a long history of social inequality in the world and environmental racism. Simple environmental weather events like extreme heat waves in redlined neighborhoods and polluted air, which leads to more asthma cases, show how these communities have been disadvantaged for generations. By simply looking between rising temperatures, poor infrastructure, and limited healthcare access, it’s clear that climate change is making these injustices worse.
What is Environmental Racism? What is the Historical Background of Environmental Racism?
Environmental racism comes from racism that had already existed within the black community. Low-income individuals, mainly Blacks, have been disproportionately exposed to ecological disadvantages. During the great depression, the US faced a major housing crisis because there was an “inability of working people to attain renewal of…mortgages” (Glaab and Brown 299). Therefore, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal package proposed projects to stabilize the economy. However, this was not effective as this process segregated marginalized communities from government housing projects leaving white counterparts with new suburban developments (Gross). This segregation then became the practice called “redlining” which reinforces unjust practices among minorities in the country.
During the post-Great Depression age (1930s) the United States Federal Government created maps of cities and urban areas that were color-coded in an attempt to indicate the risk level for investments. This practice was an attempt to target minority communities and indicate them as red to prevent any investments towards these communities at all. White families and communities benefited from this and received more investments at the expense of Blacks living a poor lifestyle. Neighborhoods marked as red, which were high risk, are 64% minority today. The historical lack of funding and investments results in poor infrastructure that increases the effects of environmental hazards such as the urban island effect.
Modern Day Struggles
In recent years, the impact of environmental racism and climate change against Black American communities has become more clear. For example, cities like Detroit, where Black American communities make up a large part of the population, continue to struggle with extreme pollution levels. Detroit ranks as the 13th worst city in the nation for air pollution, with over 150 industrial facilities emitting toxins at 257 times the EPA's recommended levels (Vaughn). A 2022 study found that formerly redlined neighborhoods in 108 cities experienced higher temperatures, with some areas seeing an increase of nearly 13 degrees compared to other neighborhoods (Hoffman).
The effect of climate change on Black American communities is becoming more evident and severe. Another instance is the heatwaves that have occurred in the United States that have disproportionately affected Black communities. In big cities like Baltimore, Washington D.C, Detroit, and Chicago, all cities where redlining occurred can be 13 degrees hotter than suburban cities (Anderson). These directly tie into the Urban Heat Island effect due to a lack of green spaces and heat-absorbing concrete and asphalt.
The economic impacts are just as concerning among Black communities. Black workers face an 18% faster decline in job productivity and a higher rate of job loss due to extreme heat compared to white workers (McKinsey Institute). This is a tough statistic and a harsh reality because it makes it hard for these communities to close the inequality gap and stay economically proficient. Imagine trying to work in hot temperatures without proper air conditioning or breaks; this demonstrates the historical and societal disadvantage within the community–burnout and loss of job. The chart below shows that the income gap in the United States among races is continuing to widen–climate change will only serve as a catalyst for stagnation.
Another problem in which climate change is a catalyst for stagnation is health. The health impacts of climate change on these communities are hard to ignore. Black Americans are three times more likely to die from asthma attacks compared to white counterparts due to poor air quality in their community. This is simply not just a matter of luck, this is due to long-term neglect and dereliction of duty from our government: environmental racism. Instead of addressing the causes or introducing legislation to fix these problems, the system seems to keep them in the same dangerous place. This neglect puts people’s health and well-being at a serious risk, turning climate change into a worldwide epidemic.
Why is This Important?
We must remember that there are disproportionate effects of climate change on Black communities–it is a matter of fairness and justice for all. Climate change is simply not just an environmental issue but it is an issue that is deeply rooted within our society. When certain communities are hit harder by environmental issues like polluted air, extreme heat, and poor infrastructure,it shows a pattern of discrimination and systemic impacts. If we fight against this, we are taking a stand against historical and ongoing systematic racism. Solving these issues can benefit all people. Improving environmental conditions in marginalized communities doesn’t just help those specific communities; it can lead to a healthier, more equitable society overall. For instance, investing in green energy and clean air solutions can improve public health and economic stability. When we address the issue of the broken foundation at the bottom, we are paving the way for a stronger pathway for all–stronger together, resilient together.
Steps to Make a Difference
Many people ponder on the question: “Is climate change solvable?”. The answer is yes, but what is the answer and what can we do about it? First, we must educate ourselves and our community about the specific ways climate change impacts marginalized communities. We all were taught the idea of “knowledge is power” and the more people understand the links between environmental issues and social justice, the more effective the messaging behind a talking point becomes. We must make people aware of policies that are pro-society. For example, we need to advocate as a society for stronger regulations on air pollution, push for more equal government investments in green infrastructure, and support community-based projects that can circumvent local conditions. We must push for practices that don’t disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, and it is essential to pass legislation to ensure there is equitable access to resources and protection for those who are most affected by climate change.
We must understand that these issues aren’t simply just about our environment; they’re really about racial and social justice too. We can’t simply end climate change without addressing the socio-inequalities that put Black communities at a higher risk. Many advocates and scientists will agree on this. Climate change simply isn’t just a talking point - it is a real-life struggle for many Americans. Many people simply think climate change is a generic problem and affects all people equally. With research, we would strongly disagree because it is evident that black people have struggled against the margins. This is simply like trying to fix a broken system without recognizing that some people are struggling more because of that brokenness. To make a difference in our community, we must look at both the social and environmental sides of this.
Looking at the events that are happening in our society, it is obvious that ending climate change isn’t just about cutting down carbon emissions or switching to a green energy system. It is about standing up against socio-economic inequalities that have made minority communities more at risk than others on the topic of climate change. We need to hold our government accountable and big corporations for the mass damage to our environment. This means fighting for policies that aren’t just reducing carbon footprint but making sure there's nobody left behind--especially those hit the hardest. We must ensure that those who are left behind get the protection and support that they need. We need to make sure everyone is aware of the broken foundation to fix the broken house afterward.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, it is clear that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue–it is also a social justice issue. We can see it affects marginalized communities, especially Black Americans, this shows that we can’t ignore the links between environmental damage and socio-economic barriers. It has been proven when rising temperatures hit, it's the redlined neighborhoods with little to no green space that suffer the most, and when pollution levels are at all-time high, it's these same communities that see more asthma rates and other health problems. These are real people facing real problems, and if we don’t take action now, things are only going to get worse.
However, there’s hope for our future as a nation. We must educate ourselves and support the right policies. We must hold both people and organizations in power accountable. By doing this we can turn things around in our society. For example, we must get involved in our community even if it's simply doing local cleanups or supporting green infrastructure projects; these both can make major differences. If we push for stricter air quality regulations or even donate to small organizations in our community that are dedicated to fighting air pollution, that’s also a way to help. It is up to our generation, our community, and our people to make sure that everyone, no matter what they look like, has a fair shot at a healthy, safe future. Let's not wait until it's too late - our actions today can build a better tomorrow for everyone.
Resouces
Gross, Terry. “A ‘Forgotten History’ of How the U.S. Government Segregated America.” NPR, NPR, 3 May 2017, www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526655831/a-forgotten-history-of-how-the-u-s-government-segregated-america.
Vaughn, Jerome. “Report: Detroit Area Ranked among Worst Cities in the Nation for Annual Pollution.” WDET 101.9 FM, 25 Apr. 2024, wdet.org/2024/04/24/detroit-area-ranked-among-worst-cities-in-the-nation-for-annual-pollution-report-shows/.
Hoffman, Jeremy S., et al. “The Effects of Historical Housing Policies on Resident Exposure to Intra-Urban Heat: A Study of 108 US Urban Areas.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 13 Jan. 2020, www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/8/1/12.
Anderson, Meg. “Racist Housing Practices from the 1930s Linked to Hotter Neighborhoods Today.” NPR, NPR, 14 Jan. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/01/14/795961381/racist-housing-practices-from-the-1930s-linked-to-hotter-neighborhoods-today.
Bruick, Zach, et al. “Impacts of Climate Change on Black Populations in the United States.” McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 30 Nov. 2023, www.mckinsey.com/bem/our-insights/impacts-of-climate-change-on-black-populations-in-the-united-states.
McCarthy, Niall. “Racial Wealth Inequality in the U.S. Is Rampant [Infographic].” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 16 Dec. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/09/14/racial-wealth-inequality-in-the-u-s-is-rampant-infographic/.