The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has committed to helping fight climate change by supporting a clean energy economy, limits on greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of green collar jobs.  Partnering with the National Wildlife Federation, the NAACP’s commitment could not come at a better time as the national debate over climate legislation is heating up on Capitol Hill, and the movement for serious change will greatly benefit from the groups support.  As the NAACP points out, people of color are quite often the first and worst to be impacted by environmental abuse and climate change, and the choice of a clean energy economy will generate health benefits as well as create greatly needed green jobs.  According to Grist:

With about twice as many blacks as whites out of work across the nation, 25 percent of the nation’s 41 million blacks living below the poverty line, and 20 percent lacking health insurance, issues like rising energy costs, curbing air pollution, and creating green collar jobs are not abstract issues.

Ultimately, the effects of climate change will effect everyone regardless of skin color, which is why it is imperative that we take action as a united country.