The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank devoted to "issues of particular concern to African Americans and other peoples of color," recently launched the Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change (CEAC). "There is a fierce urgency regarding climate change effects on the African American community," according to the CEAC's President and co-chair of the Commission, Ralph B. Everett.
At the commission launch event, the results of a new survey revealed a striking belief in the seriousness of the problem of climate change in the African American community and a " a strong consensus (81 percent) among African Americans that the federal government should take strong action." Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said "Across the country, African Americans are recognizing the urgency of encompassing environmental issues in our global fight for parity and comprehensive energy legislation." See also US Blacks Face Harsher Climate Change Impact from Reuters.
Members of the commission come from a broad range of organizations including the Environmental Justice & Climate Change Initiative, the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the Sierra Club, and the American Public Health Association.
I've written about the importance of the involvement of religious communities, most recently here. One of the largest and most important church coalitions in the US, the National Council of Churches, a broadly ecumenical group, with some of the most important Black churches as members (African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), operates the Eco-Justice Program. They have an active initiative on climate change. You can receive their new report, "Climate and Church: How Global Climate Change Will Impact Core Church Ministries," by registering here. The UCC is an integral member of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, a critical and a powerful voice.
Here's the UCC's video.
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