The Disproportionate Effects of Climate Change

While no single person, no single establishment, and no single country is to blame for climate change, some are more at fault than others. No matter who you point fingers at, repercussions still reach a global scale. Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, pollution and global warming are not confined to boundaries. However, don't have this lead you to believe everyone on the global scale will feel the effects of climate change the same. In fact, there is evidence that suggest those who will feel the largest impacts of climate change are those who contributed the least to its causes and those who are least equipped to cope with changes.

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Climate change as an environmental justice issue.

According to a report established by the EPA, the impacts of climate change will disproportionately effect "underserved communities who are least able to prepare for, and recover from, heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts ." This is the result of factors that are persistent with those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, such as where they live, their health conditions, language barriers, income, and limited resources in their community. In the US, the demographic of these communities are largely people of color, low-income communities and immigrants  . The same report put out by the EPA found that Black and African Americans are 40% more likely to already be living places with highest projections of extreme temperature related deaths. Concurrently, Hispanic and Latino populations are 43% more likely to already be living in an area in which extreme temperatures can cause lack of available labour hours  . Heat waves can be seriously dangerous as they can cause heat related strokes, cramps and exhaustion as well as dehydration, which would only further be exacerbated by droughts and a lack of fresh water. Low income individuals are more likely to be living in housing that lacks proper insulation or air conditioning. In addition, "low-income areas in cities have been found to be five to 12 degrees hotter than higher income neighborhoods because they have fewer trees and parks, and more asphalt that retains heat  ."

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When it comes to air pollution, the United States still ranks second in highest emitting countries. Evidently, air pollution is going to be a major problem in several cities across the United States. However, disproportionate effects are still present in what appears to be a boundless problem. Black Americans are "three times more likely to die from air pollution than white people" due to the fact that they are "70 percent more likely to live in counties that are in violation of federal air pollution standards  ."

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Just the same as air pollution, people of color are more likely to live in an area where the water is polluted. But this is not a coincidence. These communities have been time and time again chosen to be the "dumping grounds" for landfills, and chemical plants. A great case study that many are familiar with is the toxic water in Flint, MI. In 2014, 56.6% of Flint's population was Black. The city of Flint decided to save money by drawing water from the polluted Flint River. Flint River had been an illegal waste dumping ground for many years and the water was failed to be treated before reaching the homes of local residents. 100,000 residents had unsafe levels of lead in their water  .

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Global disproportion effects of climate change.

Tropical countries, who are statistically poorer and have contributed less to the causes of climate change, are projected to feel the largest impacts, including extreme temperature swings. Of most concern are extreme heat waves that will dry up the soil of the tropical lands, making it even more challenging for these communities and ecosystems to adapt to changes. Warmer temperatures and dryer land can cause trees to burn, in turn, increasing temperature, creating a feedback loop. It is the countries with the lower GDP (with the exception of Australia) that will suffer the most from high climate variability  . These same countries may struggle to both prepare and recover from deforestation and moisture leaving the soil due to a lack of resources and money to invest in means of adaptation. Already, waterways globally are drying up. Local economies that rely on the preservation of their natural forrest and rivers will have to face a loss in economic opporutnities. 

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