Inequality as a disaster risk driver

Introduction

You can’t talk about disaster risk reduction without talking about inequality.

Disaster risk is shaped by a range of social and economic factors that determine entitlements and capabilities. Access to services, political voice, and social and economic status directly affect disaster risk and resilience.

In turn, inequality can create more disaster risk, trapping people into a vicious cycle.

If inequality continues to rise, it may become a destabilising global force that manifests not only in increasing disaster risk but also in decreasing capacities to manage those risks.

This collection compiles resources on the ways disadvantaged social groups are affected by various hazards.

Knowledge base

Themes

Hazards

Region & country

Content type

Updates

5 June 2023

Wildfire preparedness and response must include planning for unhoused people and other vulnerable populations

The 2023 Canadian wildfire season is off to a roaring start. In Alberta, there have been more than 560 wildfires so far — the highest recorded number of fires since 2018, and the season has only just begun

Conversation Media Group, the

Documents and publications

2023

Climate change, economic production, inequality, and poverty

This paper seeks to fill the gap with regard to the quantification of the impact of climate change on future levels of poverty across different income thresholds and scenarios

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Updates

25 May 2023

Mapping a threat: Climate change’s deadly summer heat may deepen disparities in Chicago

Census estimates indicate that more than 300,000 people live in areas where average summer surface temperatures are hotter than 90% of the rest of Chicago, or an estimated 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the city average.

Chicago Tribune

Research briefs

15 May 2023

Communities of color disproportionately exposed to PFAS pollution in drinking water

People who live in communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents are more likely to be exposed to harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their water supplies.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Research briefs

23 March 2023

Drought, heat waves worsen west coast air pollution inequality

A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found drought and heat waves could make air pollution worse for communities that already have a high pollution burden in California, and deepen pollution inequalities along racial and ethnic lines

North Carolina State University

Research briefs

2 December 2022

Precipitation anomalies induced by climate change widen inequality by harming the poorest

This study discusses how precipitation anomalies brought about by climate change particularly hurt the poorest, especially in countries that heavily rely on the agricultural sector.

VOX EU

Updates

26 April 2022

NOAA and communities to map heat inequities in 14 U.S. cities and counties

Communities will use maps to inform efforts to combat extreme heat.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Updates

20 July 2021

Report reveals inequities in the exposure to the urban heat island in New York City

New York City experiences higher temperatures in the summertime compared to nearby rural areas due to the large area of heat-absorbent paved surfaces and buildings, and lack of greenspace – a phenomena called Urban Heat Island effect.

Natural Resources Defense Council

Updates

27 April 2021