It's time for climate justice.

Between the impacts of COVID-19 and the recent extreme weather events, communities of color are suffering. We need a plan.

Americans are facing a devastating intersection of challenges – the COVID-19 pandemic, job loss, health impacts, attacks on health care, and an impending climate catastrophe.

The recent extreme weather events have taken a massive toll on communities of color. BIPOC communities are less likely to receive adequate protections against climate disasters or prompt responses in emergencies. This leads to disproportionate impacts in terms of housing, healthcare, job placement, and poverty.

One study published last year, found that Black and Hispanic communities in the U.S. are exposed to far more air pollution than they produce. Meanwhile, white Americans experience better air quality than the national average. Black Americans are also the most at-risk from sea-level rise.

We need a robust climate justice plan to tackle these intersectional challenges. In our new memo, Compact for the American Future – Climate Change, our team explores three potential ideas:

• The federal government should issue a robust assessment of how past climate disasters, from Hurricane Katrina to more recent tragedies, have disproportionately impacted communities of color. Recommendations should include how to respond to future extreme weather events and climate disasters with equitable first response and disbursement or resources.
• People of color are disproportionately impacted by toxic air and air pollution. We must tackle climate change head-on to reduce air pollution and make sure every American can breathe clean air.
• We must restore, revitalize, and modernize our water infrastructure to make sure that every American has clean water to drink from their taps at home and at school. We must ensure that our water infrastructure can stand up to future impacts from climate change.

We must commit to a bold, environmental justice agenda that puts equity at the forefront for BIPOC communities. Sign the petition now to demand climate justice.