Miami Heat is the name of the most popular basketball franchise in the state of Florida. Three-time champions, first with Shaquille O'Neal and then twice with LeBron James, they are currently one of the most consistent and competitive teams in the NBA. The team's name couldn't be more fitting. The "Heat Culture," as the fans call it, represents the city of Miami and, by extension, the entire state of Florida very well. Furthermore, the state is part of a region in the southern United States known for its extreme heat, the Sun Belt.
Various perspectives are possible for observing and analyzing the politics, society, and economy of the United States, work that we aim to carry out at the Latino Observatory. From many of these perspectives, the southern region of the country stands out from the rest, and the states that make up this region share similar characteristics. An economic analysis reveals that three of the four largest states in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are located in the southern region. California, Texas, and Florida rank first, second, and fourth, respectively. Together, they account for more than a quarter of the nation's total GDP. From a demographic point of view, the southern region is home to approximately 45 million Latino citizens, a significant portion of the 62 million total in the country, as reported in the 2020 census. From a geographical perspective, the southern region stands out for having the highest average temperatures in the United States. For this reason, the strip of states ranging from Florida to California is known as the Sun Belt.
Moreover, even considering these exceptional characteristics of the southern United States, the workers who generate considerable wealth in these states face challenges arising from high temperatures, a feature that is particularly recurring in the summer months. The Latino population, a substantial part of this workforce, as shown by the 2020 census, also disproportionately suffers the consequences of this extreme climate, largely because they live in marginalized conditions compared to non-social minority groups in the United States. For this reason, this text seeks to clarify some of the impacts caused by the climatic conditions and their political and economic consequences in the region known as the Sun Belt, with a focus on the Latino community.
The Sun Belt is the region in the United States that occupies the southern part of the country, encompassing all of Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as well as the southernmost parts of Arizona, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah. The region is home to approximately 50% of the U.S. population, and it is expected to grow by 19 million inhabitants in the next decade. The lower cost of living and a favorable quality of life make this region attractive. The term "Sun Belt" was coined in 1969 by political analyst Kevin Phillips, who noted the characteristic climate and the migratory trend to this territory in the south.
According to a study released by Rice University in Houston, from 2000 to 2016, population changes were more pronounced in the Sun Belt regions for ethnic minority groups. During this period, the proportion of the white population decreased, while the black and Latino/Hispanic populations increased. Despite the growing diversity, racial integration did not follow this trend. A wage gap can be observed in the region between Latino and white migrants during this period. However, the same study indicates that this wage gap is similar to that seen across the entire United States. Therefore, while there is economic segregation among different ethnicities, especially the Latino population but not limited to it, it is a pattern that does not stand out when compared to ethnic segregation in the rest of the United States. Despite the population growth leading to increased employment in finance, real estate, professional services, technical, scientific, and healthcare sectors, Latinos are more likely to occupy lower-paying jobs, such as cleaning services, food service, and retail and construction sectors.
In recent years, climate change has raised the average temperatures to levels not seen in centuries, leading to more frequent and severe heat waves. The impacts on populations make this issue not just an ecological or environmental concern but also a public health concern, especially in hotter climates. Since July 2023, heat waves in various parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including the Sun Belt, have recorded historic high temperatures, such as Catalonia, Arizona, and the Cayman Islands. Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, saw a record number of consecutive days with temperatures not dropping below 90°F (32.2°C). Moreover, July 3, 2023, marked the day with the highest global average temperature ever recorded, surpassing August 2016. Forest fires have devastated forests in Europe and Canada due to this destructive summer.
In this context, the challenges faced by workers in the Sun Belt region have intensified. High temperatures, especially in the summer, place an additional burden on those in low-paying positions. The increasing heatwaves not only affect the health of workers but also jeopardize their food and housing security and that of their communities. The account of Texan farmer Russel Boening, as reported by NBC News, makes it clear that farmers in the state are accustomed to the summer heat and typically leave planting as a "Margin of Error" for the month of July. However, this year, he doubts there will be any production before the end of August: "Is the climate changing? Yes. I don't think there's much debate about that."
Chispa Arizona
On August 11, 2023, after a record number of consecutive days of extreme heat, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency in her state, supporting local efforts to alleviate the extreme heat. In moments like these, climate and environmental issues gain more prominence, and groups working to address the causes and mitigate the consequences of environmental neglect receive more attention from civil society. One such group that, though facing challenges, works for the environment is Chispa Arizona, a group of Latino environmental activists.
Chispa Arizona envisions an inclusive democracy that prioritizes the rights of communities to access clean air and water, healthy neighborhoods, and safe climates for future generations. The group understands that Latinos are among the most affected by global warming and climate change and supports impactful government actions to protect the environment and combat pollution. As an activist group, they seek to advance environmental causes and engage in protests on behalf of ecological activism, representing the Latino groups that are affected by climate disasters, such as the extreme heat of the summer of 2023 in the Phoenix region and other Sun Belt states.
"Waking up in extreme heat every day makes me feel exhausted, with no motivation to do anything. It feels like I'm wasting my life." The impactful account of a young Latina was posted on the Chispa AZ social media. Cases like this illustrate the impact of extreme heat on the lives of this community. It's important to question how this heat affects young people in other communities in Phoenix and in other major cities in the Sun Belt, such as Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles. These cities are among the largest in the country, with all the infrastructure and technology of the world's largest capitalist economy, but they treat different ethnicities unequally, resulting in different life prospects in relation to climate emergencies.
In this context, the Latino Observatory interviewed Vania Guevara, Advocacy Deputy Director of Chispa Arizona, who observes that the organization's primary focus is environmental justice, although it cannot ignore its crucial intersection with racial justice and equity. "Latinos, Blacks, 'people of color' in general in Arizona are disproportionately affected by climate change," Vania explained. She noted that the city expanded with racial segregation, where areas inhabited by communities of "people of color" have felt temperatures 4.5°C to 7°C higher.
The Chispa Arizona group is committed to working with elected officials to ensure that measures are taken to address these issues. They advocate for the allocation of resources in public budgets, including a recent partnership with a state senator to secure government funding for planting trees in schools. This seemingly simple action has a significant impact, not only improving air quality but also providing shade for children in schools, promoting their mental health. Beyond the issue of trees, Chispa Arizona focuses on equity in access to parks and green public spaces. Many Latino communities live in apartment complexes or areas with limited access to green spaces and parks. The organization also has a component related to clean energy and promotes the importance of voting as a way to address these issues.
Regarding Governor Katie Hobbs's actions during the 30 days of extreme heat, we asked Vania if it had any effect or if it was merely a symbolic gesture. According to her, the governor's stance helped secure more federal funding and resources to deal with the heat, in addition to informing the entire population to take protective measures and treat the issue as a major health hazard.
In their pursuit of environmental and racial justice, Chispa Arizona offers opportunities not only for action, such as protests and requests for environmental justice policies but also promotes a direct connection with nature. They organize activities that allow community members to enjoy the natural beauty of Arizona, emphasizing the importance of protecting the planet while appreciating its benefits. Furthermore, Vania questions the structures of the political landscape in which they operate: "The way the system is built, its structure is not intended for people like us. The system has intentionally created and continues to create policies that discriminate against us. The creation of neighborhoods in Phoenix, resources, and the structure of predominantly Black and Brown communities cannot compete with those in typically white neighborhoods. That's why we're facing many obstacles. It's true; I feel we have more representation now, but I believe we will never stop fighting. We need to fight to make this happen. Environmental justice is racial justice, and addressing environmental justice requires discussing racial justice."
In a scenario marked by extreme heat and increasingly evident climate change, the Latino community in the Sun Belt faces complex challenges that go beyond high temperatures. In addition to battling the direct consequences of the climate, such as devastating heatwaves, this community also confronts deeply rooted racial and economic disparities. Organizations like Chispa Arizona play a crucial role in addressing these inequalities, advocating for policies that protect the environment and address racial justice issues, while also promoting a direct connection with nature to raise awareness and engagement. However, the battle is far from over, as discriminatory political structures continue to create significant obstacles. Despite advances in representation, the fight for environmental and racial justice persists, demanding ongoing efforts to overcome existing barriers.
