President Trump refuses to publicly state whether he understands climate change is real, but his withdrawal from the Paris agreement and his pro-coal stance speak volumes.
Last winter, he visited Florida nearly every weekend cocooned at his Mar-a-Lago resort. He needs to come visit other parts of the Sunshine State to see how pollution, sea level rise and severe storms are changing the state.
As a lifelong resident of Florida, I’ve witnessed the environmental impacts that have plagued us for decades, such as irresponsible dumping of toxic wastes, and the new challenges we now face, such as flooding and sinkholes. During last year’s hurricane season, my family and neighbors had to scramble under dangerous conditions to secure sandbags. As torrential rain lashed Miami-Dade, everyone worried if their efforts would be enough to prevent water from entering homes. Our sandbags held up, but other homeowners weren’t so lucky. For those families that live paycheck to paycheck, it can be a major disruption.
Environmental and climate justice issues are as much a problem of the present as they are of the future. Brownfields — properties where expansion, reuse, or redevelopment may be hampered by real or perceived environmental conditions — are disproportionately represented by low-income communities and people of color. Sea level rise threatens to gobble one-third of Florida’s land, and creates increased risk of displacement. Southern states, especially Florida, will be hit hard by unmitigated climate change, which will further widen the gap between the rich and poor.
Warming temperatures also add unnecessary stress on Florida’s agriculture and sustenance fishing. An increase in food insecurity would be disastrous for the two million Floridians who already face a shortage of local, fresh, and healthy fare in Florida’s food deserts. In cities like Miami, where the median household spends more than half of its income on housing and transportation, extreme temperatures place greater energy burdens with higher costs.
These challenges compound the everyday struggles of low-income communities and people of color.
Unfortunately, Florida is as much the perpetrator of climate change as it is the victim of its impacts. It is the third highest emitter of carbon dioxide emissions in the nation, and, despite being called the Sunshine State, it ranks 13th in the country for cumulative solar capacity installed.
Worried by the ongoing federal assault on environmental protections, the Florida State Conference of the NAACP has committed to act on climate. We’ve laid out a plan to ensure safe, clean, healthy, and resilient communities in the face of environmental danger and injustice. Education will play a big role, as many vulnerable communities remain unaware of how climate change affects their daily lives. The State Conference recently released a report on the state of environmental and climate justice in Florida, and a framework for just solutions.
We recommend state-level policies such as decommissioning Florida’s coal power plants and including a solar carve-out in the state’s renewable portfolio standard to promote community solar projects. At the local level, we see opportunities for mayors and grassroots organizations to empower people by ensuring that green job training and opportunities are created in low-income communities, communities of color and for formerly incarcerated individuals. We also advocate for measures to clean up our waterways and alleviate mercury hot spots to ensure clean drinking water for all.
It’s been very encouraging to see cities and states claim the mantle of climate action. Floridian mayors, from cities including Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and Apalachicola, as well as business and academic institutions have committed to lead, as part of the national We Are Still In initiative.
The Florida State Conference of the NAACP is excited to support their endeavors and help forge a path toward a just and equitable future.
Adora Obi Nweze is president of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP.
