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New report warns climate change will hit Bristol’s disadvantaged communities hardest
A new report warns that climate change will disproportionately affect Bristol’s disadvantaged communities.
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit these communities hardest as well. The Vital Signs 2021 ‘Climate and communities’ report says that the negative impact of global crises will only continue for Bristol’s communities at most disadvantage.
The report, published on Thursday, March 25 by Quartet Community Foundation, examines how the climate crisis is already affecting lives in Bristol and across the West of England.
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It uses local and national data on energy and transport, food, weather and nature and features Bristol-based projects already taking steps to improve the environment and tackle the climate crisis.
The report lays out alarming predictions, including that parts of north Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset will be below sea level by 2050, according to current projections. Bristol’s city centre and the South West’s coastal areas will be at high risk of flooding.
In addition, the five hottest years on record have all been in the last six years. In the summer of 2019 Bristol’s road temperatures reached over 50°C, very close to their softening point of 56°C.
The climate crisis will affect some groups more than others, the report says. Photo: Phil Riley
The Vital Signs 2021 ‘Climate and communities’ report outlines how the city’s most disadvantaged will be affected the most. For example, changes in the weather are almost certain but some will bear more of the burden.
Older people, young children, people with mental or physical health conditions and disabled people are particularly at risk. People on low incomes and people in rented or poor housing – disproportionately likely to be from non-white ethnic groups – are also at greater risk as they are likely to have fewer resources to help them adapt and less choice in how to respond.
Issues brought to the forefront during the coronavirus pandemic will be further exacerbated by climate change.
“It’s clear that, as with the Covid-19 crisis, it’s those of us already facing disadvantage that are going to feel the worst impacts of the climate crisis,” says Lucy Gilbert, head of policy at Quartet Community Foundation and the report’s author.
“We want to support local action now that will help mitigate the local effects of climate change. There are some fantastic local initiatives working on this already, and now is the time to support them.”
Main photo: Peter Brooks
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