"The Climate Gap:" Why Climate Change Disproportionately Affects the Poor and People of Color

February 16, 2010


The climate change summit in Copenhagen brought together leaders from all over the world to make the point that when polar ice caps melt and sea levels rise, everyone is affected. But a recent report suggests that climate change hits people of color and the poor much harder than others. For example, African Americans in Los Angeles are nearly twice as likely to die from a heat wave than other city residents. Associate Professor Rachel Morello-Frosch is one of the authors of "The Climate Gap" report. She spoke with Sandip Roy on New America Now radio.