Global Warming Disproportionately Affects African-Americans, Says Report
According to a new study, the adverse effects of global warming in the U.S. fall disproportionately on black communities. Commissioned by the policy arm of the Congressional Black Caucus and conducted by research firm Redefining Progress, the study claims that blacks are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality and more likely to suffer from extreme heat waves and the spread of infectious diseases. The ill effects are also economic: Blacks are 50 percent less likely than non-blacks to have health insurance, and are more vulnerable to the economic instability that results from drought and other severe weather events. This, despite the fact that blacks, per capita, contribute fewer greenhouse gases than the average American and are thus less responsible for the whole mess. In brighter news, the study claims that efforts to mitigate global warming will disproportionately benefit blacks.
