Climate Justice in Focus

“Climate Change poses a pragmatic threat that affects everyone without bias; its consequences are experienced worldwide, regardless of culture or socioeconomic status. However, do you think, everyone equally shares the weight of these climate impacts? Not quite, right? Climate Risks cast a dark cloud over vulnerable communities, and the impacts are often overlooked. Let's explore how these risks and effects shape the lives of those most at-risk and what it means for all of us.”

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A Glimpse of Unequal Fallout of Climate Disasters

As I write this in July 2024, the wildfire spreading through Jasper, in the Canadian province of Alberta has devastated 50 percent of the town's area. Numerous bridges and buildings have been damaged, hectares of land scorched, and approximately 25,000 residents evacuated. Wildfires ravaged a total of 18.5 million hectares in Canada in 2023, forcing more than 200,000 residents to evacuate along with causing insured losses estimated to exceed USD 3 billion. The stark reality is that almost 60% of Canadian communities remain vulnerable to wildfires due to their proximity to forested and grassland areas.

Fire isn’t the only risk. In Canada, 22% of the residential properties on Indigenous reserve lands are at risk of 100-year flood. The November 2021 floods in Abbotsford and Chilliwack wrecked 15% of the Fraser Valley's regional economy in British Columbia. Following the year, hurricane Fiona unleashed havoc in the Atlantic region, while a powerful Derecho brought widespread flooding to Ontario and Quebec. From wildfires to melting permafrost to floods, climate change is impacting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis livelihoods, food security, health, well-being, and ways of life.

In 2019, Cyclone Ida and Cyclone Kenneth swept through Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries. Millions of people were affected by what is the worst natural disaster to hit southern Africa in at least two decades putting 1.3 million children at risk.

After Hurricane Ida pummeled Louisiana in 2021, heat waves and power cuts exacerbated the impacts of the storm. Right now, in the summer of 2024, the U.S. is experiencing increased health risks from unprecedented heatwaves. Over 50 million people are being warned about extreme heat, as a severe heat wave breaks records and has caused several deaths in the West. A study from the University of California, San Diego, reveals that low-income neighborhoods and communities with high Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations endure significantly more heat compared to their wealthier, predominantly white counterparts mainly due to the “urban heat island effect”.

Who needs our Focus?

All humankind is susceptible to the effect of environmental changes, but some individuals and groups are more vulnerable to climate-induced effects than other impacts because of existing vulnerabilities, historical patterns of inequity, socioeconomic disparities, and systemic environmental injustices (e.g., redlining). The magnitude of the impact depends on how well individuals can adapt to climatic changes, respond to climatic perils, or recover from these events.

Climate Injustice vs Climate Racism vs Climatic Inequity

The overarching goal of the Paris Agreement is to “hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.” Independent Climate Action Tracker, warns that despite current pledges and targets, the world is still on course for a 2.1°C rise by 2100.

Data also revealed that the top twenty global climate polluters, led by China, India, and the European Union, were responsible for 83% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2022. China emerged as the largest emitter, contributing nearly 31% of global CO₂ emissions. Despite China's current high annual emissions, its cumulative emissions over the past three centuries are significantly lower than those of the United States. On the other hand, Nigeria and Pakistan contribute only about 1% of the global GHG emissions driving climate change, yet they are experiencing extreme heat waves, floods, and other climate-related disasters. Is it climate injustice?

A plethora of studies reveal that communities of color often live in areas with scarce green spaces, more intense heat waves, higher energy costs, and less financial relief after climate disasters. Communities across the Global South are the most affected by the climate crisis even though their carbon footprint is extremely low. Is it Climate Racism?

Climate change impacts people in vulnerable situations differently, often linked to existing inequalities. Women and girls are the most impacted. Is it Climate Inequity?

While Climate Injustice, Climate Racism, and Climatic Inequity might sound similar, they each spotlight unique facets of climate-related disparities—ranging from broad socioeconomic imbalances to specific racial and inequality issues.

Empowering Vulnerable Communities through Climate and Environmental Justice

As conversations about climate evolve, researchers, policymakers, and activists are increasingly weaving the words "justice" and "equity" into their discussions. So, what is the deeper significance behind these terms?

According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Climate and Environmental Justice is about ensuring that every individual and community receives the support, resources, and opportunities they need to flourish amid a changing climate. It is about creating a world where people—regardless of race, ethnicity, income, gender, age, sexuality, ability, or location—can equally benefit from climate policies, including community investments, green jobs, and renewable energy access. It is also about balancing the scales, so the heavy burdens of climate impacts and pollution are shared more fairly.

To achieve true equity, we must confront the deep-seated remnants of policies shaped by structural racism. This involves probing questions such as: Who gets a seat at the table for decisions about local land use? Who participates in crafting plans for new developments? How have past policies influenced the distribution of capital and resources among diverse groups? It is still far from settled.

The Role of Nations, Policies, and Laws

Over the past three decades, nations across the income spectrum have implemented a wide range of policies to tackle the diverse challenges of global climate change. Despite these efforts, the path to a net-zero future remains fraught with obstacles, including the need for substantial investments, insufficient institutional capacity, and complex political and economic issues. It is a reality seen in developing countries that contribute the least to global emissions yet face the harshest consequences. It is evident that reducing global emissions is crucial to avert catastrophic climate change. However, at the heart of climate justice lies a fundamental issue: fairness in the distribution of emission reduction responsibilities, considering both historical contributions and current conditions. Are global policies really shaping for a fairer future?

Ultimately, addressing these issues requires more than acknowledging them; it demands actionable and inclusive policies. Countries must:

1. Implement equitable climate policies that ensure fair distribution of resources and opportunities.
2. Strengthen international cooperation to support the most vulnerable nations.
3. Enact and enforce environmental justice laws that protect marginalized communities from disproportionate environmental harms.
4. Invest in adaptive capacities for all vulnerable groups, ensuring they have the means to withstand and recover from climate impacts.

The debate over Climate Injustice, Climate Racism, and Climatic Inequity is not just academic. It is a call to action for governments, policymakers, and societies to recognize and address the deep-seated inequalities that climate change exacerbates. It is about creating a world where vulnerability is minimized through fairness, justice, and equity in climate action.