Climate change and the Black community

Climate change and the Black community….. let’s discuss

     Due to historical issues like redlining and environmental racism, where the Black community are disproportionately affected by factories, farms,  other aspects of the industrial revolution, forced to live in flood zones, the topic of climate should be discussed heavily by our community currently and in the years going forward. 

     I know this topic can sometimes be taboo in this country. Any mention of climate change and suddenly the topic becomes conspiracy theories and other misunderstandings of the realities. I can’t help but find this purposeful. As we turn a blind eye to the subject because of this taboo, we may not actually see the danger before us, an easy convenience for a country that has tried for centuries to get rid of it’s ‘Black problem’. 

     Preparedness is key. Many of us cannot afford to relocate. And honestly, relocation may not be the best choice as we do not know exactly how the weather changes will pan out. See the NC flooding for example. People in that region felt safe from hurricanes due to their location hundreds of miles from the coast. However, as hurricanes become more powerful, these areas may get hit more often and their lack of preparedness cost lives. People in coastal areas, more used to hurricanes, often have more things in place to survive incoming storms.  

         This is of course not just an issue within the U.S. On a recent trip to Ghana, the topic of climate change constantly came up. The people there are seeing the effects firsthand as there are many farming communities and villages that have had to adjust to these changes, The rainy season is lasting longer, droughts, flooding, all have effects on how well your crops produce. Thankfully, everyone there seems to be on one accord and have not gone into the conspiracy aspect of this topic. 

So, let’s talk about ways to prepare, things you can keep on hand to help you no matter what the situation, whether you stay or go. Some easy things to keep on hand are filtered water, rice, beans, water purification tablets can be purchased for less than $10. Having a ‘go bag’ with items such as important documents, a change of clothes, flashlight, maps if you still have them as you may not have access to internet or cell service. It’s not a bad idea to work through various action plans with your family, especially if you have children, so that they know names, numbers, locations of where they can go to be safe. At the end of the day focus on food, water, shelter (if possible), keeping warm or staying cool, and a place to go if everything goes the worst way possible. 

     As a community, we need to come together on this. Planning, preparing is much easier when you’re not alone. Knowing you can count on neighbors can be crucial.