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RP3Presentation.pptxThe Effects of Climate change on Low-Income Communities
Meaza Kidane
December 9, 2019
IGED 210-12 Online Discovery Writing
University of the District of Columbia
Introduction
Man-made climate change has thrown mankind headfirst into a true crisis that touches every part of the globe.
Gradually shifting weather patterns, rising sea levels, wildfires, and more extreme weather events are affecting human life in many ways.
Although climate change affects every human being one way or the other, it has not affected the world equally. In fact, it hits poor and low-income communities the hardest.
Geographic locations
Most of the world’s poor population live in the tropics, and as the climate warms, soil in areas near the equator will dry up reducing its ability to dampen temperature swings.
Weather dependency
Out of the world’s total population, 2.5 billion people are smallholder farmers, herders and fisheries who depend on the climate and natural resources for food and income.
Inability to adapt and mitigate
Poor countries and communities often have fragile infrastructure, have little access to health care and other services making them more vulnerable and unable to adapt or cope with climate change.
How does climate change affect low-income communities worst than others?
Urban Low-income communities and climate change
In urban areas, the poor live near pollution sites, and in neighborhoods with greater exposure to the impacts of climate change.
They also live in housing developments without sufficient insulation or air conditioning.
rural low-income communities and climate change
Rural areas often have agriculture-dependent economies, so the livelihoods of low-income residents are more vulnerable to changing environmental conditions..
Many rural households also suffer from energy poverty meaning they are not able to adequately heat or provide other required energy services in their homes at an affordable cost.
In the U.S.:
Climate change will hit low-income communities the hardest, says the Fourth National Climate Assessment report recently published by the U.S. government.
The report further predicts that low-income communities who have lower capacity to adapt and cope with extreme weather and climate-related events and are expected to experience greater impacts.
“Climate change is not a distant threat. It’s a driver of fragility and conflict, and it’s leading to a hungrier and more vulnerable world.” Schwartz, E. (2019, November 15).
In General:
Low-income communities are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as price changes and natural hazards. They also have less access to necessary support in order to adapt and cope with climate change.
Scientists estimate the probable increase in global average temperature will be at least 3°C by the end of the 21st century. That would mean three times as many hurricanes, wildfires and heat waves.
That also means low-income communities will suffer worst than they already have from the impacts of climate change, if we don’t act quickly to fix the crisis.
The science on global warming is settled. There isn’t another side, and there isn’t another moment. Future risks from climate change depend primarily on decisions made today. Let’s act today!
Works Cited
By the data team (2018/05/09.). Climate change will affect developing countries more than rich ones.https: //www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2018/05/09/climate-change-will-affect-developing-countries-more-than-rich-ones.
Shonagh, S. (2019, September 15). Editorial: Wealthy countries are responsible for climate change, but it's the poor who will suffer most. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-climate-change-global-warming-part-2-story.html.
Thank you!
