Climate Inequities: Health, Migration, and Infrastructure in the Face of Disasters

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

Natural disasters are projected to increase in both frequency and severity as a result of climate change. However, disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected by these environmental shocks, largely due to limited access to the financial and institutional resources needed for effective mitigation and adaptation. Likewise, this unequal exposure is often compounded by pre-existing disparities in social infrastructure, public policy implementation, and geographic vulnerability, further reinforcing environmental and social inequities. Moreover, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the heterogeneous impacts of natural disasters across disadvantaged groups, as well as the role that current infrastructures and public policies play in exacerbating the conditions for these groups during extreme climate events. Ultimately, this panel aims to address these gaps by examining the relationships between extreme weather events and minority communities' wellbeing and mitigation strategies. Additionally, it aims to provide researchers and policymakers with a better understanding of what disproportionate burdens look like and to shed light on current mitigation strategies and the implications for overburdened communities.  

Scholars on this panel—representing a range of disciplines and professional levels--will address the following questions:  

-How do power disruptions—caused by severe climate events and aging electric grid infrastructure —impact emergency medical service (EMS) incidents?  
-What are the sociodemographic disparities in displacements due to natural disasters? What are the mental health implications of displaced populations?  
-What are the unintended racial migration patterns of flood insurance availability in high flood risk areas?  
-What are the impacts of tree canopy coverage and temperature on physical and mental health outcomes among dually enrolled senior populations? 

To answer these questions, the panelists employ a diverse range of methodologies and theoretical approaches from economics, health and policy. This panel’s findings will highlight the importance of forging collaborations across researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to understand the equity implications of extreme climate events and to develop resilient and equitable policies that reduce the environmental burdens on vulnerable populations.  

Policy Area

• Natural Resource, Energy, and Environmental Policy

Chair

• John Kim, Georgia Institute of Technology

Discussants

• Hamid Noghanibehambari, Austin Peay State University

• Wesley Mlsna Zebrowski, Loyola University Chicago

Organizer

• Dennis Vera, Indiana University

Individual Presentations

• Unequal Grounds: Sociodemographic Disparities in Displacement following Natural Disasters in the United States - Presenting Author: Trevor Memmott, University of Massachusetts at Boston

• Unintentional Racial Migration Outcomes of Flood Insurance Availability in High Flood Risk Areas - Presenting Author: Sungha Jo, Indiana University

• Tree Canopy and Temperature: Health Outcomes among Dually Enrolled Seniors - Presenting Author: Dennis Vera, Indiana University

• The Effect of Power Disruptions on Public Health: Evidence from Power Outage and EMS Incidents - Presenting Author: Brian Y. An, Georgia Institute of Technology