London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s latest mission to tackle the climate crisis in the city not only fuels the fight against environmental concerns, but also climate injustice against black and ethnic populations in the city.
After the Mayor published a progress report from the Flooding Roundtable taskforce, many shocking revelations have been discovered that highlight this disparity.
With poverty and health inequalities hindering people in at-risk areas to respond strategically to the volatile and unpredictable climate, flooding and overheating may become an increasingly difficult issue to manage and protect vulnerable lives from.
“This crisis also exacerbates social and racial injustice” Khan states.
“The effects of the climate crisis won’t impact all Londoners equally – with areas of London with the highest Black, Asian and minority ethnic populations much more likely to face the worst consequences of London’s climate emergency.”
Flash floods and a concerning rise in temperatures have had devastating impacts across the city in recent years, making the need for a climate intervention in the city even greater.
“The climate emergency is one of the biggest global threats we face today. Here in London we are already experiencing first-hand the devastating impact of the climate crisis, with flash floods in the summer of 2021 and heatwaves in 2020, which led to almost 500 additional deaths.”
The London Mayor aims to invest £4 million in projects that will not only benefit the city as a whole, but particularly the vulnerable areas most affected by the climate crisis.
A further £1.5 million has been set aside for 100 of London’s most impacted schools to make them more resilient against climate change.
Khan also aims to use the funding to help schools educate the next generations on how to fight climate change efficiently.