Centering Equity in the Nation's Weather, Water, and Climate Services

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Social science
• Public policy

Background:

• Weather, water, and climate impacts disproportionately affect communities due to structural discrimination and unequal access to services and knowledge.
• The Justice40 Initiative (Executive Order 14008) aims to direct 40% of federal climate and clean energy investment benefits to disadvantaged communities in the U.S.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the necessity of systemic reform in providing equitable weather, water, and climate services.
• To outline key areas for reform to ensure climate services center equity and address disparities.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the impacts of structural discrimination on community access to environmental services.
• Review of policy initiatives like the Justice40 Initiative and their implications for equitable service delivery.
• Identification of systemic reforms required for equitable climate services.

Main Results:

• Structural discrimination creates significant disparities in how communities experience and are protected from climate-related impacts.
• Existing systems require reform to effectively implement equitable weather, water, and climate services.
• The Justice40 Initiative provides a framework for directing climate investments but requires systemic changes for full realization.

Conclusions:

• Systemic reform is imperative to address inequities in weather, water, and climate services.
• Key reforms include prioritizing community expertise, developing a representative workforce, improving risk communication, and fostering new community-academic relationships.
• Addressing these areas is essential for climate justice and resilience, especially given increasing climate-related disasters and public health impacts.