Poor, urban and minority residents are most at risk for health
problems linked to climate change, according to a new California
Department of Public Health analysis of Los Angeles and Fresno
counties. The department examined social and environmental
factors ranging from the rising sea level to public
transportation access and found that African Americans and
Latinos living in these counties are more likely to be exposed
to health and safety risks related to poor air quality, heat
waves, flooding and wildfires stemming from climate change.
“Clearly, climate change risks are not equal across the state or
within individual counties,” according to the report [PDF].
“Identifying communities at greatest risk is a necessary step in
efficiently employing limited resources to protect public
health.” In Los Angeles County, neighborhoods near Santa Monica
and Long Beach were among those deemed most vulnerable, "largely
from risks due to sea level rise, but also partially
attributable to poor public transit, wildfire ris