Date
2025
Abstract
Climate change is a global problem that affects everyone, but not proportionately. Lower income communities face greater physical and economic impacts, and policies often fail to consider their needs. These communities struggle to adapt and recover from disasters due to limited resources, and they lack access to resilient housing. Major corporations like Exxon and Shell profit while their workers are underpaid for dangerous labor. Historically, regions like rural Appalachia have seen exploitation through industries like coal. People of Color (POC) communities experience environmental racism, suffering greater environmental harm due to systemic neglect. Increasing commodity costs can hurt lower income individuals, forcing them to choose between basic needs. Taxing companies often passes costs down to consumers, worsening inequality. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Justice seeks to protect vulnerable communities through policy. This Note will examine how climate change and legislation have disproportionately harmed low-income and POC communities, and will explore solutions that could address environmental injustice effectively.
Recommended Citation
Skala, Nicole
(2025)
"How Climate Change and Environmental Policies Affect Impoverished Communities,"
Journal of Race, Gender, and Ethnicity: Vol. 13:
Iss.
2, Article 9.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.tourolaw.edu/jrge/vol13/iss2/9
