Group Seeks Minority Help On Global Warming

(The Politico)  A new commission is aiming to engage the black community on global warming. 

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) was on hand at the National Press Club this morning to launch the Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change, which he commended for tackling “a crisis.” 

“It is critical that our community play an integral and active part of the debate,” said Clyburn. “This commission will play an important role in both defining challenges of global warming and presenting opportunities.” 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.) also commended the group. 

Climate change is disproportionably affecting the black community, which is struggling with more heat-related deaths and increased trouble adapting to rising energy costs. 

A poll released by the commission shows that 81 percent of African-Americans believe the federal government should take strong action to deal with global warming, but most are still unwilling to shoulder even modest increases in energy prices to help. 

A brainchild of The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the commission is co-chaired by CEO Ralph B. Everett and Texas State Sen. Rodney Ellis, whose district is home to some of the nation’s top oil companies. 

The American Association of Blacks in Energy and the Black Leadership Forum, Inc. are among the coalition’s first informal partners, with more expected in the coming weeks.