Hiya, all! It’s been awhile since I’ve shared a blog post. I’ve been loving making podcasts and videos for you, but sometimes there’s nothing better than a good old blog post. Anyway, today’s topic: climate justice. Most of us know what climate change is (but if you don’t, check out this video!) and some of the ways it can impact people around the world. That said, you may not be familiar with climate justice. What is climate justice, and how does it relate to climate change itself? This post will explain what climate justice is, and why it’s so important to talk about.
While the term itself does not have a long history, the concept of climate justice has existed for as long as climate change has been an issue – and even before then. Only as we started having discussions about the complexity of climate change and its connections to environmental as well as social and economic systems did we finally find the right term to describe an issue facing millions around the world: climate injustice.
the meaning of climate justice.
Climate justice can be defined in different ways, depending on who you are speaking to. Broadly, the United Nations describes climate justice as “look[ing] at the climate crisis through a human rights lens and on the belief that by working together we can create a better future for present and future generations.” In other words, it views climate change as something more than an environmental issue: it recognises how climate change disproportionately affects some populations over others due to their geography, class, race and other natural diversities. It merges social justice with climate change science to demonstrate why everyone needs to care about climate change – because it affects far more than the environment alone.
why climate justice is important.
So climate change is more than just an environmental problem. As such, more than just “environmentalists” should be concerned about climate change and its impacts on the world. The environmental effects of climate change will make living conditions hazardous, resources scarce, food, water and other basic necessities more expensive, and bring about far more uncertainty than we currently deal with. Everyone will feel the effects of climate change in some way and to different degrees, but it will be felt by everyone.
Of course, certain individuals will not feel the effects of climate change significantly for a long time, whereas some are already feeling these effects deeply. For instance, low-lying coastal communities and small island developing states (SIDS) have faced the threat of sea level rise for years, to the point that entire communities could be submerged in water within the next decade. Likewise, low-income households may struggle to afford food as prices rise to due climate change’s effects on crop yield (drought, fire, erosion, etc.). These households may face higher rates of hunger and illness if they can no longer afford basic necessities. We are causing ecogentrification as we build “sustainable cities” with urban green spaces, plenty of active transportation routes such as walkways and bike lines, eco-friendly shops and restaurants powered by green energy, because only the wealthiest, most fortunate can live and work in these green spaces. Not everyone in our communities can afford to thrive in these spaces, which often include poverty-stricken households, racially and ethically marginalised individuals, single-parent families, disables individuals and other minority groups. In other words, while everyone will face the impacts of climate change, these vulnerable groups will face the greatest impacts sooner, because the climate adaptation efforts taking place right now are not inclusive. It’s like saying “only those with X amount of money” or “those who live in X community” can be benefit from climate change adaptation efforts.
how did climate change and social justice become linked in the first place?
Climate change was never not an issue impacting at-risk groups. As with any problem, those who are most vulnerable or do not have the tools to protect themselves from an issue will struggle the most. Let’s think about it in terms of students preparing to attend university after high school: we have two students in grade 12, one of which has been working hard since grade 9 to get excellent grades, has strong time management skills, and makes an effort to maintain a good work-life balance. We also have a student who did not pay attention in class until grade 12, and even then do not try super hard to succeed; they’d prefer to hang out with their friends rather than study. Even if these two students took the exact same courses throughout their high school degrees, who do you think would be better prepared for university? The student who applied themselves, developed good study habits early, and knows how to balance studying with relaxation. This is not to say the other student is a ‘bad’ person in any sense! Instead, it demonstrates how two individuals can come from the same ‘community’ (i.e. schooling experience) but will be affected differently by the same impact (attending university).
The effects of climate change can be analysed from a similar lens. Those who prepare early, have the tools in place well in advance and are aware of how they can best cope with uncertainty will thrive better than the unprepared. It’s like survival of the fittest: whoever is best prepared will survive. However, one individual may be less equipped to face climate change because of factors outside of their control. Poverty is a big one, as is any characteristics that may marginalise them and segregate them from participating equally and fairly in society. This includes race, sex, gender, ethnicity, religion, mental health, physical ability and so on. Climate change has always been a game of “survival of the fittest” and because of how elitist our societies are, we intentionally isolate individuals from living safe, plentiful lives for factors outside of their control. That fact is at the root of climate justice.
what can we do for climate justice?
Since climate change is more than an environmental problem, creating climate justice means addressing social and economic as well as environmental issues. We cannot create resilient cities without addressing existing wage gaps, homelessness, poverty, violence, improving access to sanitation, healthcare, healthy food, affordable housing, green spaces and more. Trying to address climate change without identifying and working to resolve these underlying issues will only be maladaptive – it will worsen injustice. Addressing environmental issues without addressing the underlying social and economic issues is like putting a bandaid on a broken bone. To fix the problem (bone), you need to know whats going on beneath the surface and resolve that issue first.
So how do we go about climate justice and solving these longstanding social and economic issues? Clearly it is not so simple, seeing as we’ve historically struggled to accomplish such things in a meaningful way/timeframe. I do not have the exact answers, seeing as I am only a student and I am privileged to live in a body that would not be classified as a vulnerable minority in many ways. As such, I am aware that I am at an advantage in the world when it comes to climate adaptation, finding a job, affording food and more – but that doesn’t mean I can’t help those who need it. If you are reading this, you likely have some privilege as well (free time to read blog posts, stable internet access).
While I don’t know *exactly* what will create the climate justice we need, here are some things we must strive for:
- equitable access to basic necessities like healthy food, water and shelter, especially as climate change places further stress on these already fought over resources;
- strategic urban planning that creates healthy, active living spaces in all areas of development, not just where the wealthiest will reside;
- and breaking down barriers that allow racism, sexism, ageism and other forms of discrimination to continue.
what can I do personally to promote climate justice?
Just as everyone will be impacted by climate change, everyone can also play a role in mitigating climate change and climate injustice. First are foremost, educate yourself. Learn about what climate injustice looks like around the world, and what forms exist in your very own community. Share what you have learned with your friends, family and community. Find opportunities in your community to promote climate justice – since climate change encompasses environmental, social and economic dimensions, this means you could work with many community development groups to advance climate justice. For instance, a community fridge was launched in Kitchener-Waterloo to fight food waste and to make fresh, healthy foods available to all. Other good examples include community/campus groups seeking to end poverty, racism, promote women’s rights in the workplace, promote the sustainable development goals (SDGs) – you get the picture.
final thoughts.
Every small action does make a difference because the more people that are aware of climate justice, how it impacts everyone and relates to all aspects of life, the more people who will take action to promote a sustainable, equitable and healthy world. I encourage you to start researching ways to get involved in your community now, and share what you find in the comments!
If you liked this post and want to learn more about climate justice, I encourage you to check out these posts:
We have the power to create justice. The first step is to educate yourself. The second step is to take action. You now have the knowledge to make a change – what are you waiting for?
Until next time.
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