Civil Rights Leaders: Heat Can Have Disproportionate Impacts (We Need Climate Justice)

wamu.org ^ | June 9, 2011 | Jessica Gould

[PROCON]

As the heat wave continues, some civil rights leaders say high temperatures pose a particular threat to poor, minority communities. On days like these, the heat affects everyone. But, Hilary Shelton says, it doesn't affect everyone equally. Shelton is director of the Washington Bureau of the NAACP.

"In one community, it means you keep your air conditioner on longer. It puts a strain on your family budget, but you get through it. In another community, it means poor, elderly people are dying in their apartments," he says.

[left that other site]

Yers...A/C is quite lovely at times. hahaha

[left that other site]

But, although I like A/C, I do not expect the gubmint to pay for it! LOL

[eclecticEel]

Yes, let’s create a new tax on carbon dioxide, shut down our nuclear facilities, and strangle the domestic coal industry. All these measures will help greatly.

[sillsfan]

Thanks!
I feel better now.
FReepers are the best.

[Chode]

prolly...

[octex]

Yep! Grew up in Texas in the ‘40s-’50s. Summers, neighbors would join us in the side yard on the East side of the house. Lawn chairs, blankets to lay on, ice chests, etc. No one would try to go to the houses to sleep until well after 10 pm when the heat inside was lessened.

Had one exhaust fan in a North window that sucked air through the house from a half-opened South window. Later, Dad installed a “swamp pump” in a living room window and it really made hot days and evenings more bearable inside, although the moisture promoted mildew. ...Never had a/c at that 800 sf. house built in 1943. We all survived without the city giving us anything!!!

[Notasoccermom]

We had one oscillating fan that had no protection from children’s fingers getting stuck in it. No one ever lost a finger. We were told to not touch it and we kept a healthy distance. While we were too young to understand the parents stayed in the room and watched us instead of sticking us or them in front of a TV or computer. Watching the fan oscillate had the double value of entertaining us as we watched it go round and round and tried to figure out how it worked.