Ruben Berrios lives in Mott Haven, a low-income neighborhood in New York’s South #Bronx, where temperatures are significantly higher than nearby, wealthier areas. The heat is deadly, killing an average of 350 New Yorkers annually. Berrios, 66, recalls losing two friends during a recent heat wave. Heat disproportionately affects people of color and low-income residents, with Black New Yorkers dying from heat stress at double the rate of white residents. Historical discriminatory practices like redlining have contributed to this disparity by restricting resources and green spaces in minority neighborhoods.
In cities nationwide, heat-related deaths reflect socioeconomic and racial divides. For example, during a 1995 Chicago heat wave, most victims were poor, elderly, and Black. In Maricopa County, Arizona, Black people constituted 11 percent of heat-related fatalities last year, despite being just 6.8 percent of the population. Environmental justice advocates link these inequalities to decades-old policies that deny resources to minority communities, resulting in fewer parks and trees and increased heat vulnerability.
Today, the South Bronx is crisscrossed by power plants and highways, causing noise and air pollution. Residents face high rates of health issues like asthma and heart disease, exacerbating heat vulnerability. Environmental racism is evident, as these neighborhoods lack green spaces, making them hotter. Solutions include planting more trees and creating green spaces, as these areas often have 33 percent less tree canopy than predominantly white neighborhoods.
New York City is taking steps to combat heat, such as opening cooling centers and distributing “cool kits.” However, some residents, like those in Brownsville and East Harlem, face additional risks like crime when trying to cool off. Residents of heat-vulnerable areas employ resourceful methods to stay cool, like using wet towels and unscrewing fire hydrants. Experts warn that extreme heat is becoming the norm, stressing the need for continued efforts to mitigate its effects.
Link: NBCNews
Comments