Dr. Michael Méndez: Climate, pollution, and Latino communities
Reporters can request footage of SciLine’s interview with Dr. Michael Méndez for use in their stories.
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Many Latino communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change, including poor air quality, extreme heat, and flooding events. They can also face outsized risks from industrial accidents and chemical hazards, such as oil spills and chemical plant leaks, particularly when they live near petrochemical facilities, refineries, or industrial corridors.
On August 18, 2026, SciLine interviewed:
Dr. Michael Méndez, an assistant professor of environmental policy and planning at the University of California, Irvine. He discussed topics including:
- Why Latino communities can face greater risks from climate change and environmental hazards;
- How extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and other climate-related disasters affect Latino communities;
- Why Latino communities are often located near industrial facilities, and how oil spills, chemical leaks, and other industrial accidents pose additional health and safety risks;
- How local, state, and federal policies can help protect vulnerable communities; and
- What communities and people can do to prepare for natural disasters, industrial disasters, and extreme weather events.
Request interview footage:
