As climate change threatens the planet, CT Hispanic leaders address community impacts

Hispanic leaders and environmental advocates gathered this week to address environmental issues that have historically marginalized those communities. The event was organized by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, with Acadia Center and Save the Sound.

But even as some people may relocate to places like Connecticut, the impacts of climate change are still present, according to Jayson Velazquez, a climate and energy justice policy associate at Acadia Center.

“As floods increase in coastal communities, and as our urban cities continue to get inundated with flood water, there’s a lot of loss in finances when it comes to repairing flood damage,” Velazquez said. “That’s such a big issue up here in the Hartford area.”

Hispanics are 43% more likely to live in areas with the highest projected reductions in labor hours due to extreme temperatures, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report.

To read the full article from Connecticut Public Radio, click here.