"Environmental justice is the movement to ensure that no community suffers disproportionate environmental burdens or goes without enjoying fair environmental benefits."
~Van Jones
Closely associated with climate justice is a colonial mindset. To explore healing our colonial history, see:
what is meant by terms such as climate justice and eco-justice?
The concept of climate justice, like the climate crisis itself, is complex and multifaceted. Its most basic meaning refers simply to the linking of environmental concerns with various social justice issues. The advocate of climate justice typically emphasizes that the most vulnerable social groups and countries are bearing the worst impacts of climate change, even though they contribute the least to it.
Today, the terms eco-justice and climate justice are used interchangeably to describe the relationship between the systemic problems facing individuals, communities and the natural world, with special focus upon those who are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation because of economics, race, gender and age.
We all know that climate change will continue to impact us, but it is vitally important to understand that not all communities experience the impacts of climate disasters equally. Climate disasters exacerbate the injustices that low-income and communities of color face, often leaving these communities with greater food, shelter, and job insecurity, worse health impacts, and higher rates of poverty compared to more affluent communities. Climate change is intrinsically connected to the global inequalities we face, and it interacts with them in a way that only highlights their existence.
Fortunately, there are many environmental justice organizations using their resources and platforms to educate all who care to learn on the intersections between climate and social justice.
There are also several excellent new resources to guide us in prioritizing marginalized communities when advocating for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Greenlining’s forthcoming report, Making Equity Real in Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Policies and Programs: A Guidebook, offers input and perspectives from community members on how California can prioritize vulnerable communities in climate policy and program design. You can access the report here.
Today, the terms eco-justice and climate justice are used interchangeably to describe the relationship between the systemic problems facing individuals, communities and the natural world, with special focus upon those who are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation because of economics, race, gender and age.
We all know that climate change will continue to impact us, but it is vitally important to understand that not all communities experience the impacts of climate disasters equally. Climate disasters exacerbate the injustices that low-income and communities of color face, often leaving these communities with greater food, shelter, and job insecurity, worse health impacts, and higher rates of poverty compared to more affluent communities. Climate change is intrinsically connected to the global inequalities we face, and it interacts with them in a way that only highlights their existence.
Fortunately, there are many environmental justice organizations using their resources and platforms to educate all who care to learn on the intersections between climate and social justice.
There are also several excellent new resources to guide us in prioritizing marginalized communities when advocating for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Greenlining’s forthcoming report, Making Equity Real in Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Policies and Programs: A Guidebook, offers input and perspectives from community members on how California can prioritize vulnerable communities in climate policy and program design. You can access the report here.
Queries
How can we walk humbly with our God and reach out lovingly to all who share our hopes for the future of the earth and her inhabitants? What actions might we take to promote climate justice for all?
What would a world of climate justice for all look like? How can we live into and bring about that vision?
How can we walk humbly with our God and reach out lovingly to all who share our hopes for the future of the earth and her inhabitants? What actions might we take to promote climate justice for all?
What would a world of climate justice for all look like? How can we live into and bring about that vision?
Climate justice resources and organizations
climate justice alliance
Located in Berkeley, CA, this seasoned, effective, grassroots climate and social justice organization has conducted successful organizing strategies at the local level to mobilize and empower frontline communities in "sacrifice zones" across the country. CJA members have won significant victories against polluting and extractive industries, building local alternatives that center traditional ecological and cultural knowledge and creating a pathway for a regenerative future.
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earthjustice
This organization's tag line, "because the earth needs a good lawyer," reveals its roots as a public interest environmental legal defense non-profit. Over time, the organization has shifted its focus to taking on environmental problems that threaten economically disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, and communities of color who are exposed to the highest levels of toxic pollution and face the greatest hazards from climate change.
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greenlining institute
The Greenlining Institute states that their mission in the area of climate equity is to "advance policies that build healthy and climate-resilient communities of color that benefit from the jobs and wealth created by the green economy and our transition from fossil fuels." Their projects work to strengthen communities of color "from the inside out" helping those communities ensure that their concerns and demands are prioritized by climate advocates and policymakers at every level of government. Greenlining's Leadership Academy trains and empowers college students and early professionals of color to contribute to shaping public policy and lead on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
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