Disparities in Climate Change Policy in the United States: An Environmental Justice Perspective

Given the increasing amount of evidence suggesting a connection between climate change and health disparities, this study utilized a statistical approach to explore the relationship between climate policies in the United States, past temperature changes, and vulnerable populations. Little was previously known about disparities in policy adoption and underlying motivations at the state level. By analyzing data from the United States excluding D.C., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, we assessed the relationship between minority demographics, temperature changes (2011-2021), and climate policies (2021). We found no direct link between policy adoption and prior temperature experiences or minority percentages. However, states with climate policies in place had consistently higher Asian American populations than those without such policies. Additionally, we found significant differences in the demographic composition of Black or African American populations in states with electricity policies in place compared to states without such policies. Lastly, we found that states with higher percentages of people below the poverty line were less likely to have carbon pricing and electricity sector portfolios plans in place. This suggests a nuanced relationship between policy types and demographic compositions within states, indicating a potential avenue for further exploration in understanding climate policy dynamics.