How systemic racism shaped the ecosystems of U.S. cities
Science Magazine・3 minutes read
Affluent neighborhoods have more canopy cover and diverse bird populations, creating a luxury effect, while low-income areas with more man-made surfaces experience urban heat islands. Systemic racism, such as redlining in the US, has resulted in reduced canopy cover in marginalized neighborhoods, impacting animal breeding and gene diversity, potentially leading to increased pest species and greater vulnerability to climate change risks.
Insights
- Affluent areas in cities have more canopy cover and diverse bird populations due to the luxury effect, while low-income neighborhoods face urban heat islands from excessive man-made surfaces, leading to higher temperatures.
- Systemic racism, as seen in historical practices like redlining, has resulted in long-term environmental consequences in marginalized neighborhoods, impacting biodiversity and making communities more susceptible to climate change risks.
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Recent questions
What is the luxury effect in cities?
The luxury effect refers to affluent areas having more canopy cover with mature trees and diverse bird populations.
How does redlining impact neighborhoods?
Redlining has led to reduced canopy cover in marginalized neighborhoods, affecting animal breeding options and gene diversity.
Why do low-income areas have urban heat islands?
Low-income neighborhoods have more man-made surfaces like asphalt and concrete, leading to urban heat islands that make these areas hotter.
What are the environmental impacts of systemic racism?
Systemic racism has long-lasting effects on neighborhoods, affecting canopy cover, animal breeding options, and gene diversity.
How does reduced canopy cover affect communities?
Reduced canopy cover in neighborhoods can increase pest species like mosquitoes and brown rats, making communities more vulnerable to climate change risks.
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Summary
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"Urban inequality impacts environment and biodiversity"
- Affluent areas in cities tend to have more canopy cover with mature trees and a diverse bird population, known as the luxury effect, while low-income neighborhoods often have more man-made surfaces like asphalt and concrete, leading to urban heat islands that make these areas hotter.
- Systemic racism, exemplified by practices like redlining in the US from 1933 to 1968, has led to long-lasting environmental impacts in historically marginalized neighborhoods, with reduced canopy cover affecting animal breeding options and gene diversity, potentially increasing pest species like mosquitoes and brown rats, making these communities more vulnerable to climate change risks.
