Environment and Climate Change
As the threat of climate change continues to grow, its environmental consequences have exacerbated existing health disparities. New public health challenges, persistent air and water quality issues, and increased frequency of extreme weather events disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color, who typically have less access to social, political, and economic power. A 2021 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that Black and African American individuals are 40% more likely than non-Black individuals to currently live in areas with the highest projected increases in mortality rates due to climate-driven changes in extreme temperatures. TRCC highlights policies that address these drastic inequities through climate mitigation and public health strategies to ensure a healthy, equitable and climate-resilient future for all Americans.
Resources and Information
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In May, TRCC shared a letter with the Department of Health and Human Services, expressing support for the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and providing policy recommendations for addressing the health impacts of the ongoing climate crisis. The letter is available here
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American Public Health Association (APHA) report: “Climate Change, Health, and Equity: A Guide For Local Health Departments”
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APHA resource page: “Climate Change, Health and Equity”
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report: “Climate Change And Social Vulnerability In The United States: A Focus on Six Impacts”
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research page: “Climate Effects on Health”
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National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences research page: “Climate and Human Health Impacts”
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Climate Health and Equity Coalition letter: “Recommendations on Climate Change, Health and Equity for the Department of Health and Human Services”
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Health Affairs article: “Health Risks Due To Climate Change: Inequity In Causes And Consequences”
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation research page: “The Intersection of Health, Equity and Climate Change”
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Ruth Ann Norton, President & CEO, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative testifies in front of Senate Committee on Banking to address climate change. Click here to view her testimony.
Contact
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Legislation in this space is still being reviewed by TRCC staff for inclusion in the ELM​
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For recommendations or feedback, please contact Tom Dorney at tdorney@rootcausecoalition.org or Hannah Miller at hmiller@rootcausecoalition.org