Over the past decade, the shrimping industry in the Gulf of Mexico has faced significant challenges, with shrimpers facing low catches and stagnant wages. This issue is exacerbated by climate change, which has led to rising sea levels and changing ocean temperatures, making it more difficult for shrimp to survive.
In the western United States, wildland firefighters are struggling with low wages and poor working conditions. As climate change fuels more frequent and intense wildfires, these firefighters are facing increased risks to their health and safety. Many are also struggling to make ends meet, with most earning under $40,000 a year.
In Africatown, Alabama, residents have long faced environmental racism. The community is home to a number of polluting industries, which have caused high rates of cancer and other health problems. Residents are also fighting to preserve their historic community, which is threatened by industrial expansion.
On Sapelo Island, Georgia, the descendants of enslaved Africans are facing the loss of their land and homes. Rising property taxes and other economic pressures are forcing many families to sell their land, threatening the community’s unique culture and history.
In Mobile, Alabama, the graves of Black heroes are being neglected and forgotten. This is a reminder of the systemic racism that has long plagued the Black community in the United States.
These stories highlight the interconnected nature of climate change, environmental racism, and economic inequality. These challenges are facing communities across the United States, and they will require collective action to address.