EPA releases report showing disproportionate impacts of climate change in the contiguous United States

Key Takeaways

On September 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a significant and detailed report on the impacts of climate change among different demographic groups in the contiguous United States. The report, titled Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States: A Focus on Six Impact Sectors, examines the extent to which “socially vulnerable” populations within the United States are disproportionately subject to the most significant impacts of climate change. The report serves a critical role in guiding the federal response strategies to existing impacts of climate change in America’s unserved and underserved communities while informing environmental justice initiatives about the detriment of projected future impacts on these same communities.

The impacts quantified in the EPA’s report include extreme temperatures, poor air quality, flooding threats to property, and disruptions to weather-exposed workers. Among many significant findings, the report found that Black and African American individuals are projected to face higher climate change impacts in all six impact sectors studied compared to all other demographic groups considered in the study. Additionally, Hispanics and Latinos are 43% more likely than any other demographic group to reside in locations projected to experience the highest labor reduction hours due to extreme temperatures.

The Biden administration is working to streamline environmental justice initiatives and effectively mitigate the disproportionate impacts climate change has and is projected to have on America’s most socially vulnerable populations.

Counties continue to support the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income during the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. During implementing these policies, the public should enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to maintain a healthy environment in which they live, learn, and work. Counties are uniquely positioned to serve as stewards for environmental justice and equity through the implementation of best practice policies that not only combat climate change at large, but ensure vulnerable populations are not subject to disproportionate harm. NACo supports federal research funding to scientifically evaluate cumulative environmental and health risks to all people, regardless of race or economic status, who live close to facilities that emit pollutants and provide the results to local elected officials.