Gore Endorses + Whose Environmentalism?

Al Gore is finna' to endorse Sen. Obama this evening, which will help with the environmentally conscious constituency that is worried about Obama's efficacy. From 'Al's Journal':

Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action. With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.

This may not be something to write home about, as clearly, Gore wants a Dem in the White House. However, there's a certain idea that climate and environmental concerns are the provenance of the white upper- and middle- class people. In fact, a very telling comment on the Times story reads:

As a pretty serious environmentalist, I admit I’ve had trouble believing that a black guy from Chicago can move us forward in terms of open space, species protection, and other issues typically championed by upper middle class white folks. Hopefully Gore can bend his ear on more than global warming.

Ignoring the fact that Obama isn't just 'a black guy from Chicago,' (didn't you hear, he's exotic?) this comment brings up an interesting point. Many serious (white) environmentalists don't see global warming, climate change, and other environmental issues as something that black people care about, or are affected by. However, environmental injustice assures that pollution and 'open space,' are just as pertinent in the hood as they are in the suburbs. More so, if you ask Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx. Carter (video of her speaking below):

As a black person living in America, I am twice as likely as a white person to live in an area where air pollution poses the greatest risk to my health. I am five times more likely to live within walking distance of a power plant or a chemical facility, which I do.