Claim: [Trace amounts of CO2] hitting poor in U.S. hardest. — The Daily Climate

"Climate change does not affect everyone equally in the United States," said Rachel Morello-Frosch, associate professor at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley and lead author of The Climate Gap. "People of color and the poor will be hurt the most – unless elected officials and other policymakers intervene."

Watching this unfold is akin to watching a movie where disparate and seemingly unrelated storylines converge to denouement that is "decidedly tragic,” the researchers wrote.

For instance, the report finds that African Americans living in Los Angeles are almost twice as likely to die as other Los Angelenos during a heat wave. Segregated in the inner city, they're more susceptible to the "heat island" effect, where temperatures are magnified by concrete and asphalt. Yet they're less likely to have access to air conditioning or cars.

Todd Wilkinson: Does Sen. Barrasso of Wyoming Really Want Science to Guide Him?

The report puts to rest the gobbledygook claims that climate change is caused by the sun, volcanoes, or hot air rising out of Washington.

Colorado groups rally for climate change proposal | VailDaily.com

It will be important to ensure that climate change policy doesn't hurt poor people through higher energy prices, said Nelson Bock of Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, which promotes energy conservation and efficiency. Bock said the group also wants to make sure "green" jobs are spread around.

"Climate change is not just an environmental issue," Bock said. "It's also profoundly spiritual."

"The Earth, our home, is a gift," he added.

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