A literature-based white paper that discusses the range of potential health benefits that could be gained by people of color in the three cities
as a result of proposed EPA regulations. The paper considers the impact on reduced exposures to PM2.5 and ozone pollution, and the potential for reductions in premature deaths due to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and lung cancer. There is also an examination of the potential reductions in asthma. One important component of this work is an expanded review of EPA's technical analyses of health benefits that are expected
from regulations, building on existing available data. In addition to summarizing main findings from the EPA analyses, the paper evaluates the extent to which the EPA methodology addresses health benefits from an environmental justice perspective.

Download the companion Research Brief: Three-City Survey of African Americans on EPA Regulations, Climate Change and Health

Three members of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies’ Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change will join representatives from more than 190 nations in Durban, South Africa next week for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 17th Conference of Parties (COP).

The conference is expected to be a critical juncture for international climate initiatives.  As a designated non-governmental organization with Civil Society Observer Status through the United Nations, the Joint Center will participate along with hundreds of public interest organizations and thousands of activists from around the world in advocating for a fair, ambitious and binding agreement that will reduce global emissions, build vulnerable nations' resilience to climate change and foster a low-carbon green economy globally.
 
Representing the Joint Center’s Commission will be State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-TX), the Commission’s Co-Chair, and Commission Members Carolyn L. Green, Managing Partner of EnerGreen Capital Management LLC, and Benjamin Bronfman, Strategic Advisor, Global Thermostat.

As a result of the BP oil rig explosion, millions of gallons of oil per day spewed into the Gulf of Mexico over a period of two and a half months, creating widespread economic, environmental and health consequences. Regional community advocates report that minority communities — Asian American, African American and Latino — have been disproportionately impacted. While they have been hit the hardest, communities of color are receiving fewer resources for recovery and their neighborhoods are more likely to be targeted for disposal of toxic oil.