The Triple Threat of Climate Change: Poverty, Vulnerability, and Inequity

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The clear linkage between the adverse effects of climate change, poverty, and inequity is indisputable. In the first eight months of 2024 alone, the U.S. has experienced 19 separate disasters totaling over $1-billion dollars in losses each — and the disproportionate impact of these disasters is occurring in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.???

Severe weather events disrupt economies, close schools, obstruct access to critical infrastructure, and turn everyday people into climate refugees within their own communities and hometowns. As the climate crisis is rapidly becoming the primary disruptor to daily quality of life for most everyone, it is affecting the well-being of marginalized populations significantly more.??

Equitable design solutions require equitable design processes. It's about designing with people, versus for them. As designers, our objective is to restore prosperity and reshape our society to ensure a more prosperous tomorrow. ?

Environmental stressors are concerning for many U.S. respondents, with disproportionate worries for Black and Latino respondents.?

• Marginalized communities — those lacking investment in physical infrastructure and storm protection measures — are likely to experience disasters more extremely.?

• Black and Latino respondents are more worried about the impacts of environmental stressors on their physical and mental health than white respondents.?

Black communities are disproportionately burdened with environmental and well-being risks.?

• Long-term underinvestment has left Black neighborhoods more vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change.??

• A lack of trees and green spaces has made surface temperatures considerably higher in historically redlined areas and is the most fatal of all severe weather events.?

• Black and Latino residents are less satisfied with their quality of life. Those who identify as Black (39%) and Latino (44%) are more likely to think they’ll need to move in the next five years compared to white respondents (22%).?

Perceived cost is at odds with people’s willingness to make sustainable choices.

• Cost is the biggest barrier people reference as to why they aren’t making required lifestyle changes. ?

• Only 37% of respondents believe their community is prepared for natural disasters and severe weather events. ?

When looking through the lens of climate impact and racial justice, we know that lack of investment has too often resulted in design and policy decisions that has led to inequity: serving some communities well, while disinvesting and leaving others behind. Addressing climate action in tandem with equity will acknowledge the interconnected forces required to act and to invest equitably, at scale.??

More stats and stories you need to know.?

• Explore the concrete actions that designers can take to address climate shifts with Gensler’s Resilience Preparedness Framework.?

• Learn more about the link between climate change and social justice.?

• Dive into the CDC’s exploration of intersectional climate adaptation planning.??

• In an era of artificial intelligence, The Brookings Institute shares how AI and technology must work to the benefit of climate justice. ?
• Read more on how to design for racial justice.

• See how design interventions can mitigate the effects of extreme heat in at-risk communities.?

Written by Rives Taylor, Gensler Global Design Resilience Co?Leader and Cindy Coleman, Gensler Research Institute Editorial Lead?

Join the conversation. How have you been impacted by a climate event this year? What actions would you like to see your town or city make to feel more prepared??

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