Introduction

         America is typically regarded as progressive, safe, and fit for anyone to live in, and therefore is often described as “the best place to live” for its boundless possibilities and beautiful natural scenery. While some higher-income communities enjoy this version of America, numerous lower-income communities instead live in fear of the significant environmental risks that plague their lives. As americanprogress.org puts it, “The nature gap is not experienced equally across all communities” and instead perpetuates “racial disparities, social vulnerabilities, public health issues, pollution, and climate risks”.​

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Analysis​

         Furthermore, the low-income communities lack access to the resources they need to improve their circumstances - but it is time for change. There are several ways that future climate policy can address this issue and bring about real, vital change. While these environmental issues are not frequently addressed, they are quite serious and, in some areas, dire. One of the greatest environmental issues faced by lower-income groups in America is the high levels of air pollution; areas near polluting infrastructure tend to have housing with lower real estate values, leading many lower-income families to live there. Furthermore, a 2016 study conducted in New Jersey found that communities with lower home values and lower median incomes were at increased risk of early death from exposure to particle pollution (Disparities in the impact of Air Pollution | American Lung Association). Moreover, air pollution in these hazardous areas has been shown to cause cardiovascular issues, increase asthma rates, and even lead to infant mortality (Zeno). Another difficulty threatening lower-income communities is the combination of two disastrous factors: poor infrastructure and extreme weather conditions. Many low-income groups resort to living in high-risk flood areas due to lower housing costs, and others are forced to live in older buildings that cannot withstand flooding and severe storms with hail and dangerous winds. These disastrous storms then leave those who are already struggling in worse-off, dire situations. In addition, older buildings pose other threats, as I saw in my own community. In 2023, one of the apartment complexes in my town that housed hundreds of lower-income residents had to be evacuated without warning due to mold and infrastructure deemed dangerous by the city. It was quite disastrous, as families and many other locals were displaced while trying to find affordable places to stay (Hundreds of Ripley residents face possible eviction – wreg.com). These issues cannot continue to plague our communities, our great state of Tennessee, and all those in our nation. Starting more broadly, in areas near power plants, industrial facilities, and other places with higher air pollution, there is an urgent need for stricter regulations. Furthermore, one way to help regulate is to install air quality monitors that can measure smoke, fine dust, volatile organic compounds, and more depending on the brand.

 

         Additionally, investing in clean energy will greatly help reduce air pollution; some examples include adopting electric buses and expanding solar panel projects. Finally, improving access to healthcare is also essential due to the serious health concerns associated with living in areas with high air pollution. Since governments have allowed low-income communities to suffer the health consequences of living in high-air-pollution areas, they should take responsibility by providing them with quality health care. While it is sometimes difficult to improve infrastructure without displacing people, strengthening natural infrastructure by planting more trees and creating more green spaces helps reduce flooding. Additionally, investing in basic emergency shelters can help ensure safety, keep residents calm, and act as an aid distribution center.

 

 Conclusion

         Overall, the issues low-income communities face are not addressed properly and are typically disregarded. While some of the issues can be difficult to address with drastic, immediate change, it is essential to start making progress now. These people cannot help that they cannot afford to live in the safe, beautiful America everyone desires, so why should they endure these hardships? Too many people are stuck and suffering - it is time for change.

 

                                                                          Bibliography

 

Disparities in the Impact of Air Pollution | American Lung Association, www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk/disparities. Accessed 15 July 2026. Hundreds of Ripley Residents Face Possible Eviction – Wreg.Com, wreg.com/video/hundreds-of-ripley-residents-face-possible-eviction/8686176/. Accessed 15 July 2026. Zeno , Sam. The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those with Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss - Center for American Progress, www.americanprogress.org/article/the-nature-gap-communities-of-color-and-those-with-low-incomes-are-bearing-the-brunt-of-americas-nature-loss/. Accessed 15 July 2026.