Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability, and Equity

The assessment team evaluated climate change impacts to eight key sectors in New York State, with vulnerability and equity considerations woven into their findings. This page synthesizes some of that information, drawing from all sectors. More information on climate change, vulnerability, and equity can be found in the full sector chapters.

Indigenous Peoples also experience disproportionate impacts from climate change. Learn more about the climate risks Indigenous Peoples face and how their communities are adapting.

Many people and groups vulnerable to climate change live in areas where the infrastructure is limited, older, poorly maintained, or more exposed to climate hazards, putting these communities more at risk. Legacies of discriminatory policies, lack of investment, and displacement have contributed to these inequities. Location and infrastructure inequities that amplify climate change impacts include:

Aging or poorly maintained buildings and building components. Discriminatory housing policies have caused marginalized populations to live and work in older or poorly maintained buildings that are more vulnerable to damage from climate hazards. Structural damage—for example, from high winds, heavy snow, or flooding—can make buildings unsafe for residents and require costly repairs. Public housing complexes may experience backlogs of funding for repairs and upgrades, making them more vulnerable to extreme storms (refer to the Superstorm Sandy and Red Hook case study for an example of these disproportionate risks). As extreme events like hurricanes and tropical storms become more intense and heavy precipitation happens more often in New York State, people living in these buildings face heightened risks.

Public housing residents and occupants of poorly maintained buildings also face more risks from rising temperatures and increasing heat waves because of limited access to air conditioning. In under-resourced communities, schools and other buildings where communities gather may also lack ventilation and air conditioning, posing health risks for occupants. Individuals who are incarcerated are also at more at risk from extreme heat due to a lack of air conditioning in facility buildings. Exposure to heat can be even higher in older correctional facilities because of poor building ventilation and overcrowded conditions.

Public transit systems are also not always accessible for people with disabilities, which can limit their ability to access shelters, cooling centers, or critical services during events such as heat waves, storms, and floods. In addition, because lower-income communities generate less tax revenue, local governments and transportation agencies serving these populations face challenges maintaining infrastructure. As a result, this infrastructure may be in worse condition and more vulnerable to climate change.

Energy system inequities. Some communities may have energy infrastructure that is in poorer condition or more vulnerable to energy disruptions. For example, low-income households and communities of color are more vulnerable to power outages than their neighbors during the warm months of the year. With temperatures rising and heat waves increasing in New York, these households are especially at risk. Summer power outages can leave residents exposed to hot temperatures indoors, along with other impacts such as food spoilage. Research has also found rural and Black communities’ power is often slower to be restored after an extreme weather event.

In addition, fossil fuel–based energy facilities are commonly located in low-income neighborhoods along the coast, increasing these neighborhoods’ risk of exposure to pollutants in floodwaters from extreme storms. As heavy rainfall increases, hurricanes and tropical storms become more intense, and storm surges become more severe, these communities face increasing risks.

Heat islands. Some communities face higher risks from rising temperatures due to their built environment. Areas with a lot of buildings and pavement and fewer green spaces become “heat islands” that retain and intensify heat. Studies in New York City and Yonkers have found less tree cover and higher temperatures in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, specifically in locations that were historically redlined or denied investment. Harlem and South Bronx, for example, are hotter than high-income areas of New York City. (Refer to the Housing Policy, Climate Change, and Health case study to learn more about temperature differences in formerly redlined areas.) As temperatures rise in New York State, underserved communities face more exposure to extreme urban heat.

Location. Low-income communities are often located in areas with more environmental risks—such as flood zones—where land is less expensive. This pattern leaves these groups more exposed to the impacts of climate change. Low-income communities and communities of color are also more likely to be located near industrial or contaminated sites, increasing their exposure to air and water pollution that may become worse with climate change. During climate-related events such as storms or floods, for example, storm surges and floodwaters can carry pollutants into these communities.

Some outdoor workers face additional challenges that limit their ability to cope with exposure to climate hazards. For example, about half of all farmworkers in New York State are undocumented. Undocumented farmworkers may lack health insurance, leaving them less able to cope with climate-related health concerns. They may also live in housing that is unable to withstand extreme weather and have limited access to government recovery resources, adding to their risk. They may also avoid seeking help because they lack legal protections and may fear deportation and lost wages. Climate hazards from changing temperatures and precipitation patterns amplify existing challenges and further threaten the health and safety of these workers.

In addition, while many people can work remotely, a large portion of New York State’s workforce must commute each day. These roles include health care workers, first responders, construction workers, grocery store clerks, postal and delivery workers, bus drivers, and more. Climate hazards such as heat waves, storms, and floods can pose safety risks to some of these workers as they commute. Hazards that prevent commuting or working can result in lost income, with hourly and low-income workers experiencing more economic hardship from lost wages.

People and communities with fewer resources face more challenges preparing for, coping with, and recovering from climate hazards. In some cases, having less access to resources is due to legacies of discrimination that have prevented communities from obtaining support or building wealth. Groups that may be more vulnerable to climate change due to barriers accessing resources include:

Low-income households. Having fewer financial resources can pose many challenges in a changing climate. For example, low-income households who spend a larger proportion of their income on energy may not be able to afford air conditioning, increasing their risk from extreme heat as temperatures rise. Low-income individuals and families may struggle to evacuate in an extreme event due to transportation and lodging costs. They also tend to have a harder time recovering or rebuilding afterward, especially if they do not have flood or property insurance. As heavy rainfall is projected to increase statewide and coastal storms are expected to intensify, these households face substantial risks.

Communities of color. Legacies of discriminatory policies, displacement, and being denied investment and wealth-building opportunities have caused communities of color to lack access to resources that help build resilience. For example, people of color disproportionately face challenges affording air conditioning and accessing health care, putting them more at risk from increasing heat waves and rising temperatures. Schools in communities of color often have fewer resources to adapt, making it difficult to afford the costs of installing and using air conditioning. Hotter school days pose indoor air quality concerns in schools without air conditioning, which can have large impacts on learning for students of color. In many cases, communities that have been discriminated against also lack resources such as flood insurance to help recover from extreme events.

Immigrant communities. Immigrants may experience discrimination that makes it harder to access certain resources, increasing their risk from climate hazards. In particular, undocumented immigrants and immigrants with limited English proficiency face challenges securing stable housing and employment. For example, housing discrimination may increase the likelihood that immigrants live in housing that is exposed to floods or is otherwise unsafe (refer to the Hurricane Ida Vulnerabilities in New York City case study as an example of these risks). These households are especially vulnerable to increasing heavy precipitation and storm intensity. New immigrants also tend to lack health insurance and access to government resources, such as emergency assistance. Those with limited English proficiency could struggle to access, understand, or navigate resources such as disaster warnings, educational information, and social services.

Rural communities. Rural communities often have fewer schools and community centers, transportation options, and hospitals—with some rural counties having no hospitals at all. They are therefore more vulnerable when these facilities and services are affected by extreme events, such as floods and storms. Rural communities also tend to have smaller tax bases, which constrains their financial ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme events and other climate hazards. Many rural communities’ economies depend in large part on natural resource–based industries, such as agriculture, forestry, and outdoor recreation. Increasing climate impacts on the ecosystems and workers that support these industries can further strain already-vulnerable communities.

Many health conditions can increase a person’s vulnerability to climate change. For example, respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, and high blood pressure can increase people’s risk of heat illness, making them more vulnerable as temperatures rise. Some populations have higher rates of these conditions due to existing inequities and discriminatory systems and policies. Various factors of community stress, pollution exposure, and resource access can create stress and lead to greater health disparities. Low-income communities and communities of color, for example, have higher rates of asthma. Studies have also found that people of color face a higher risk of being hospitalized from heat-related illness.

Many unhoused individuals also have health conditions, such as cardiovascular or heart disease, that increase their risk, especially when combined with their higher exposure to outdoor conditions. People with compromised immune systems may be more susceptible to water-related illnesses or vector-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, that could become more common in a warming climate.

In addition, people with disabilities are especially at risk from climate change impacts, and their needs have not always been accounted for in planning. For example, not all transportation options are accessible for people with disabilities, leaving them with fewer options when transportation is disrupted. Even in accessible buildings, power outages can hinder access to elevators, stranding people with disabilities that limit their mobility. In addition to posing physical health risks, heat waves, storms, and floods can also disrupt health care, damage facilities, and displace caregivers. Accessing care can already be challenging for people with disabilities, and increasing climate risks can worsen these existing challenges.

A variety of strategies can help incorporate equity and justice in climate adaptation and decision-making. Some of these strategies include:

• Involving local communities in all phases of adaptation planning. Community-based organizations are often best equipped to identify their local needs, key climate risks, and vulnerable population groups and occupations. Engaging the community can help ensure resilience projects serve vulnerable groups more effectively, and community involvement can also help minimize unintended harms. For example, because some climate resilience projects—such as green infrastructure that uses plants and natural features—can increase property values and cost of living in a neighborhood, engaging the local community can help prevent the effort from displacing vulnerable residents. Involving communities in decision-making also ensures they have a voice in data collection and communication efforts are accessible to them. New York State’s Extreme Heat Action Plan is an example of statewide efforts to involve communities in climate change planning.
• Raising awareness of climate change impacts and encouraging engagement through education and outreach programs. Climate education can provide people with the knowledge and skills to recognize and solve climate-related challenges. This can include programs in the classroom, as well as education programs that take place outside of formal learning environments and reach New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds. Ensuring that these programs are accessible for low-income households, communities of color, and immigrant communities is crucial and may require partnerships between local governments and community-based nonprofits.
• Supporting worker health. Efforts to modify working hours and address heat risks in outdoor and indoor working environments can help protect worker health as temperatures rise. Actions that are customized to the needs of the workplace and workers are most effective. Various coping measures can help outdoor workers deal with heat stress, including using fans and other cooling devices; taking breaks to hydrate and cool down; shifting working hours to avoid heat; and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment such as hats, thin clothing, and sunblock.
• Improving indoor air quality and access to cooling. Installing air conditioning is a common strategy for reducing indoor heat exposure and preventing heat-related illness, but it can also increase energy costs. Improving a building’s insulation and installing energy-efficient windows are just some examples of strategies to help reduce heat absorption, indoor air temperature, and energy use. Establishing more—and improving—public cooling centers can also benefit communities that face disproportionate risks from heat but do not have equal access to air conditioning or other cooling strategies.
• Working to address systemic injustices as a co-benefit of adaptation. Adaptation strategies can have benefits that also address long-standing systemic inequality. For example, urban farming could help produce nutritious food locally in historically underserved communities that may already have less access to healthy food. As the state transitions to more renewable energy, energy injustices can be addressed through programs aimed at diversifying the workforce, providing help for weatherization, improving energy efficiency, and providing access to renewable energy. Developing new climate-resilient roadways can provide opportunities to improve mobility for underserved communities who have been harmed by previous highway placements.
• Training programs that connect people with emerging job opportunities in the field of climate resilience. This may include partnering with community-based organizations to ensure frontline communities—such as communities of color, low-income individuals, and immigrants—can participate in these programs. For example, to increase awareness of and access to the fast-growing clean energy job sector, NYSERDA is coordinating with industry experts, labor organizations, training programs, academic institutions, and other state agencies to ensure that both new and existing workers will be prepared to participate in expanding clean energy industries, such as offshore wind.

Learn more about climate change impacts, vulnerability, and equity in other assessment materials, such as: