Dear Friends,
One of the worst effects of the climate crisis is the increase in the amount of air pollution around the world. It is estimated that 7 to 9 million people die from air pollution every year! That is appalling. Equally appalling is that US neighborhoods with more people of color suffer worse air pollution.
In a Guardian article by Erin McCormick, graphics by Andrew Witherspoon, they identify the 10 worst metropolitan areas in the country for air pollution. Read their article entitled “Revealed: the 10 worst places to live in the US for air pollution” for their list of the top 10 worst areas. Surprisingly, the worst area in the country is not LA (ranked 2nd), or around Chicago (ranked 3rd), but Bakersfield California, which includes the Fresno area. I was blown away since we are talking about a predominantly farming community, not an industrialized City.
A very useful tool included in their article was a calculator that you can click on, enter your address, and it will display the air pollution rating in your area. Take a look.
“Check your own neighborhood’s air pollution in our interactive tool.” I strongly recommend you use this tool. We, here in the Villages in south east San Jose, California, for example, live in one of the cleanest areas in the country. Amazing.
An often glossed over or forgotten aspect of the Climate Crisis is that it effects people of color far more than all other people. Needless to say, rates of fatalities and disease are much higher in those areas. This is an injustice that needs to be addressed. Regardless of wether we live in a clean air area, or dirty air area, we need to help the less fortunate.
Legislation is being written every day to address these issues and we all need to support this type of legislation. Writing our legislators or emailing our concerns does help.
Let our voices be heard that we care and want environmental and racial justice enacted for the sake of their …
Children, Grandchildren, All Future Generations and All Life.
Bill