Globa Warming Consequences to the Poor: What Should be our Response

The debate is over. We've agreed that the world is at risk from global warming. Even President Bush agrees, after years of denying the problem.

Physical and social scientists tell us that it is the poor, the very young, the old, and those with disabilities who suffer, and will continue to suffer, most from the effects of global warming. Sadly the rich nations, and particularly those within them who have the most, no longer seem to care about those least of their brethren, as demonstrated by the millions of people who die every day from hunger and exposure throughout the world while the disparities between the rich and poor continue to grow. The environmental change will exacerbate those issues.

In October 2002 the Black Leadership Forum, the Southern Organizing Committee for Economic and Social Justice, the Georgia Coalition for The People's Agenda, and Clear the Air put together a report about the unequal effects of global warming on African Americans. They concluded that African Americans are particularly at risk from pollution because they live in areas where there are more pollutants.

On July 20, 2004 Congresswoman Eddie Johnson and the Congressional Black Caucus reported on the negative consequences of global warming on the African American population. They have declared the need to take action internationally and support measures to reduce air pollutants that add to global warming.

Speaking from the floor of the House during debate on H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, this year, Congressman Kucinich offered an amendment to conduct a comprehensive study of the increase in demand for FEMA's emergency response and disaster relief services that he observed is related to weather related disasters tied to global warming, particularly as expected during the next 20 years. Kucinich spoke eloquently about the problem:

"Hurricane Katrina gave us another grim warning, telling us not only what we should expect, but showing us what happens if we are not prepared.

"Katrina showed us that when disasters hit, the most vulnerable among us become even more vulnerable, because they lack the resources and the access to cope. This was made clear, as image after image of those hit the hardest were people of modest means and people of color. In fact, in the Chicago heat wave of 1995, African Americans were twice as likely to die as whites. The elderly, many of whom could not afford air conditioning, made up most of the victims."

The Kucinich amendment failed by recorded vote: 170 - 251 in Roll No. 211. H.R. 5441 remains unfinished business until the House returns in June after the Memorial Day recess.

The Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative is an effort by 28 U.S. environmental justice, climate justice, religious, policy, and advocacy groups to call for action from the Bush Administration and Congress on climate change. The EJCC Initiative's "10 Principles for Just Climate Change Policies in the United States" include:

1. Stop Cooking the Planet. Slow the release of greenhouse gases and find alternative energy sources.

2. Protect and empower vulnerable individuals and communities

3. Ensure just transition for workers and communities as we transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a renewable energy-based economy.

4. Require community participation at all levels of government.

5. Work on the problem on global scale cooperatively.

6. The U.S. must lead.

7. Stop exploration for fossil fuels.

8. Monitor domestic and international carbon markets

9. Take precautionary measures to minimize harm to the global climate.

10. Protect future generations through the sustainable use of resources.

The issues of global warming aren't just for scientists anymore. They effect us all. So it is important for individuals and communities to look carefully at these declarations to see how well we are doing what we can to stop the expansion of activities that lead to further and further erosion of the planet and global warming that can produce terrible consequences. In other words, the responsibility is ours, everywhere.