Climate change puts poor minorities at risk

An examination of Los Angeles and Fresno counties concluded poor, urban and minority residents of California will be most at risk for health problems related to climate change.

The California Department of Public Health‘s recent report looked at potential environmental factors associated with climate change, like rising sea levels and public transportation access; it found that black and Latino populations will be more affected by heat waves, poor air quality, flooding and wildfires linked to climate change, according to California Watch. The report noted that neighborhoods near Santa Monica and Long Beach were at significant risk mostly due to the possibility of sea-level rise, but also had poor public transit, wildfire risk and a large number of elderly citizens living alone. The report also considered a portion of western Fresno County near Mendota to be at particular risk.