With a global pandemic, economic recession, and an increase in protests for
equality and racial justice happening simultaneously, it seems that climate change
has been put on the backburner. However, this issue is still an environmental crisis
and must be treated as such. Over the past few decades, climate change has
resulted in more intense and frequent extreme weather events, flooding and sea
level rise, changing precipitation patterns, and temperature extremes that impact
sectors ranging from agriculture to buildings and infrastructure to even the
healthcare system.
Water scarcity can result in drought and famine; floods contaminate fresh water
supplies and heighten the risk of water borne diseases; extreme heat raises levels
of pollutants that exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. As depicted
in the graphic, climate change not only affects human health in a myriad of ways,
but also impairs the ability of healthcare professionals to meet patient needs. For
instance, in 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria killed 200 Americans and
left millions struggling to access hospitals, medical care, potable water, and power. Such disasters adversely impact healthcare infrastructure, transportation, and
communications systems, potentially leading to shortages of essential
pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
In order to combat these climate change impacts and make medical care more
accessible, the healthcare system must take strides to lower their carbon footprint.
The sector produces 10% of the U.S’s total greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to
the 200,000 premature deaths associated with air pollution each year. Hospitals
are among the most energy intensive buildings in the country, and by becoming
more energy efficient and resiliently built, health professionals will be further
contributing to better health for people and the planet.
The people that are hardest hit by the climate crisis, however, are minority
communities. According to a study conducted by members of the Yale program on
climate change communication, Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans were
found to be more concerned about climate change than whites, who were more
likely to be doubtful or dismissive about the issue. It’s not hard to see why
minority communities would take the climate crisis seriously: a 2017 report by
the NAACP and the Clean Air Task Force determined that they are 75% more likely
than other Americans to live near oil and gas refineries, making them more
susceptible to industrial hazards and exposed to other health concerns like air
pollution. On top of that, they are also more likely to live in areas that have higher
incidences of diseases or are vulnerable to climate impacts such as flooding. In
2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the most devastated areas were
disproportionately non-white; African Americans and other minority groups
made up 50% of those whose neighborhoods were flooded despite making up less
than half of the metropolitan population. These statistics give evidence for the
climate injustice and higher than average health risks that minority groups face,
communities of people who already have to fight harder and longer to be heard
by policy makers and the public.
There is no doubting that environmental racism and climate injustice against
minority groups such as Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans must be
recognized. Their voices can no longer be ignored or marginalized. It is
increasingly becoming clear that climate change is not just an environmental
crisis, but also a human rights issue. All people, regardless of race or class, have the
right to equal protection against climate change, and equal access to clean air and
drinkable water.
Sources:
https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/old-site-downloads/download-
524-The-Impact-of-Climate-Change-on-Minorities-and-Indigenous-Peoples.pdf
https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/race-and-climate-change/
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2018/be-high-performing-us-health-system-will-need-adapt-climate-change
https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/default.htm
http://news.mit.edu/2013/study-air-pollution-causes-200000-early-deaths-ea
ch-year-in-the-us-0829
http://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CATF_Pub_FumesAcrossTheFe
nceLine.pdf
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
https://www.greenamerica.org/climate-justice-all/people-color-are-front-lines-climate-crisis