Kamala Harris Talks Environmental Inequality and Climate Change: ‘Giving Resources Based on Equity’ to ‘Communities of Color’

Vice President Kamala Harris was asked about environmental inequality amid climate change and Hurricane Ian relief efforts, and answered in a way that caused some confusion and led to some political attacks.

Harris said that there should be a focus on “giving resources based on equity” to “communities of color” in the aftermath of the deadly category five hurricane, though it was clear that her two-part answer was part of a two part question.

“So can you talk just a little bit about the relief efforts, obviously, of a hurricane in and what the administration has been doing to address the climate crisis in the States?’ Asked actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas at a Democratic National Committee event on Friday. “But, and just a little follow-up, because it is important to me, we consider the global implications of emissions. Right. The poorest countries are affected the most. They contribute to the least and are affected the most. So how should voters in the U.S. feel about the administration’s long-term goals when it comes to being an international influencer on this topic?”

Harris noted the complicated answer and offered to unpack it in two ways. Regarding the question of environmental inequality, she replied “It is our lowest-income communities and our communities of color that are most impacted by these extreme conditions and impacted by issues that are not of their own making.”

“And so we have to address this in

a way that is about giving resources based on equity, understanding that we fight for equality but we also need to fight for equity, understanding not everyone starts out at the same place,” she continued. “And if we want people to be at an equal place, sometimes we have to take into account those disparities and do that work.”

The following day, at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards, Harris avoided a question about her comments.

“Vice President, can you clarify what you meant about equity for hurricane relief,” asked an unidentified man, according to video obtained by Fox News Digital.

According to NBC News, at least 87 people have died due to Hurricane Ian, which hit Puerto Rico and Florida last week. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are scheduled to visit those places this week.

Note – this post has been edited since it was originally published to add greater context to the Vice President’s answer.

Watch above via CSPAN and Fox News.