Report Addresses Climate Change and Equity in New Orleans

A new climate action equity report from the city of New Orleans outlines strategies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, writes Della Hasselle. "In New Orleans, one of the U.S. cities most at risk from climate change, residents' energy usage contributes to half of the city's annual output of 3.6 million metric tons of greenhouse gases linked to rising temperatures."

The report’s recommendations focus on modernizing energy use, improving transportation options, and fostering awareness and action to achieve equitable outcomes. Of particular concern are the more extreme threats facing residents in the poorer neighborhoods of New Orleans.

"Work on the report began in March 2018, when an advisory group of residents, nominated by community organizations, developed steps for how the city could implement a strategy for meeting [the] Paris Agreement goal," says Hasselle.