Climate Justice

Vulnerable Populations Are More Severely Impacted by Climate Change 

 The Center for Climate Justice at the University of California states, "Climate Justice recognizes the disproportionate impacts of climate change on low-income communities and communities of color around the world, the people and places least responsible for the problem" ("What is climate justice?," n.d.). Climate justice stems from the broader work of environmental justice. Environmental justice typically serves as the social justice lens on environmental policies, regulations, and impacts, whereas climate justice aims to address the root causes of climate change and its implications for vulnerable populations.

Climate Justice Addresses Root Causes

The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) provides the following context of climate justice:

"Climate justice ensures that everyone, regardless of background, race and ethnicity, or location, enjoys equal opportunities to thrive in a sustainable and resilient world. Climate justice actively addresses the unequal impacts of climate change by prioritizing the health and safety of those who face the greatest risk, especially as communities prepare for and recover from climate events such as extreme heat and storms, wildfires and wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding. 

Climate change is not only an environmental issue; it is intertwined with poverty, inequality, social justice, affluence, unequal power structures, and economic forces. Addressing climate change requires exploring its root causes and transforming existing systems that perpetuate injustices. Climate education that centers on climate justice addresses how climate change affects all people, explores how climate solutions can be more equitable, and engages all people in developing climate change solutions" ("Guidelines," 2024, p. 21).