Environmental Understandably, concern for the natural environment is often secondary to basic survival needs for those of us who live below the poverty threshold. Poverty hinders us from participating in conservation efforts, even though our future depends on healthy surroundings. Social Poverty can be very destructive to our social fabric. Inequities between races and social classes deepen social divisions and create tensions that undermine a healthy society. The success of our state depends on our ability to move forward and react to problems as a unified society.
Poverty works against our ability to do that.
The poverty rate is considered by many to be based on antiquated calculations of the cost of living. Many people who are above the formal poverty line are struggling economically.