I. Climate Change
"The root causes and upstream drivers of climate change and health inequities are often the same: Our energy, transportation, land use, housing, planning, food and agriculture, and socioeconomic systems are at once key contributors to climate pollution and key shapers of community living conditions. The powerful institutions largely responsible for constructing these systems influence and are influenced by social inequities such as class and race".
"Two critical components of climate vulnerability are pre-existing health status and living conditions "
"low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of climate change." (apha.org)
When we are exposed to educational inequality, we are also exposed to homes, neighborhoods, and areas that are most affected by climate change. We do not have the necessary resources to face these problems. We have to remember that the better education we have, the more likely we will have better jobs, more income, and better resources to adapt.
Climate Vulnerability
"Climate vulnerability is the degree to which people or communities are at risk of experiencing the negative impacts of climate change.14 It is often tightly coupled with health and social inequities. Key components in climate vulnerability include exposure, sensitivity to threats, and capacity to adapt and respond.15”
Heavy rains and floods affect transportation and schools and learning centers' infrastructure, making it difficult to continue with constant education in the community.
This means that it is challenging for minorities and low-income people to adapt or cope with climate change's adversities.
Differential access to resources, which means that low-income individuals, households, and communities are less likely to:
- Afford air conditioning to reduce heat risk or to cope with rising food prices related to climate impacts on agriculture;
-Have insurance or financial resources to rebuild or relocate after an extreme weather event;
- Enjoy the resources required to build infrastructure that promotes climate resilience and adaptation.
Climate Resilience
Climate resilience is “the capacity of a community to anticipate, plan for and mitigate the risks— and seize the opportunities—associated with environmental and social change” brought about by climate change.
How can we create a more resilient community ???
-Include community members in decision-making processes regarding LHD programs and investments.
- Collaborate with CBOs and community members and leaders to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for public information and dissemination and use an array of channels to ensure information reaches all members of the community. (apha.org)
- Recognize and acknowledge the inherent power dynamics between community members and government employees, people of color and White people, and people with different educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. Provide space and processes, such as agreed on ground rules for meetings and opportunities for one-on-one conversations, to address those dynamics. .(apha.org)
- Supports investment in physical infrastructures and services that meet the needs of all residents.
- Takes action to build individual and collective capacity to respond proactively to and influence social, economic, and environmental change.
II. Climate Change and Health Equity
Climate change affects the rainy season and causes flooding in many communities
a. How will climate change in that climate domain (e.g., air quality or drought) affect your community? Be specific in terms of the vulnerabilities it will exacerbate and outcomes it will worsen. Provide research and data from credible sources where possible to support your argument.
When there are floods, heavy rains, and hurricanes, it causes problems in access to education, damages infrastructure, roads, and homes. This causes schools to be closed, the school day is delayed, and many students cannot attend their regular classes due to the lack of transportation or health problems.
The local health department can help to:
-Collaborate with community-based organizations to inform vulnerable communities about climate impact projections for storm surge, precipitation, and flooding and engage community residents in flood resilience and preparedness. (apha.org)
-Make sure evacuation strategies address the needs of all members of the community, including those without access to automobiles, non-English speakers, and people with disabilities. .(apha.org)
-Create an alliance between the health department and the board of education to collect data and serve the most vulnerable students.
-Send a communication to the high-risk students in the area warning them of the existing risks due to floods and dangerous roads.
IV. Action recommendations
There are many things we can do to face these adversities for example:
-Improve the city sewer system.
-Educate the population to reduce CO2 emissions.
-Pressure the government to take measures to take climate change action.
-Improve the infrastructure of educational centers.
-Improve internet systems for students to access classes online even if they do not have access to transportation due to extreme weather.
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