The “Ten States Project” and why we are focusing on climate risk for poor African-Americans.

According to the last U.S. Census, 60% of the African-American population lives in just ten states. Those also happen to be some of the most climate-vulnerable states in the country. Of them, many are also low GDP states and have issues with access to Internet infrastructure. This means people who live there are likely to face a set of cascading risks.

“The Ten States Project” is a research initiative aimed at understanding the climate and disaster risks faced by African-American communities in ten states across the Gulf and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. These states are not only highly susceptible to billion-dollar disasters but also have significant African-American populations. The intersection of climate risk, digital divestment, and racial demographics creates a multifaceted challenge that demands a comprehensive approach. Part of that comprehensive approach is respecting the lived experiences and cultural contours of the people who live in these places.

This is why we are proud to announce not only the start of the project but that it is staffed with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) fellows and fellows with lived experience in the states that we are researching.

Why Diverse Voices Matter — Especially In Research

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