American poor hit worst by climate change

Americans living in neighbourhoods with dirtier air and water – usually low income and ethnic minorities – will be the worst affected by climate change, a University of California report has revealed.

The effects of climate change in the US will include increased pollution, higher food and water prices, more expensive energy bills, job losses, and damage to public health – and those living in poverty will feel these effects more acutely.

“Climate change does not affect everyone equally in the United States,” said Rachel Morello-Frosch, lead author of the report and professor of public health at the University of California.

“People of colour and the poor will be hurt the most - unless elected officials and other policymakers intervene.”

One study for the report found that African Americans in Los Angeles are nearly twice as likely to die compared to other Los Angelenos during a heat wave.

With most of the Los Angeles African American population living in the city centre, they’re more susceptible to the “heat island” effect, where temperatures are magnified by concrete and asphalt, whilst at the same time they’re less likely to have air conditioning installed in their homes.

“Climate change is real. So is the climate gap,” said Manual Pastor, another of the report’s authors.

“It’s not something fictitious, made up by communities who feel underrepresented,”