From Concept to Action

About the Symposium

Climate change is an undeniable reality with severe consequences that will affect every sector of the global economy and touches every aspect of our lives. Our survival as a species requires a combination of greenhouse gas emission mitigation and climate change adaptation. However, the transition to greater climate resiliency is not guaranteed to be inclusive on a global scale or within societies. Wealthy, developed nations -- which have historically contributed the overall majority of existing greenhouse gas emissions -- will not necessarily face or feel the worst consequences of climate change. High-income countries are more likely to have economic resources to recover from extreme weather events compared to developing nations. Even within high-income countries, for example the U.S., economic resources are not uniformly distributed and often lower-income and historically marginalized communities bear the brunt of the changing climate.

Climate change threatens three sectors fundamental to human survival: health and livelihood, food and water availability, and economic and national security. Addressing these needs within a climate justice framework is crucial to ensuring that every inhabitant of our planet can thrive. As we transition away from a fossil-fuel based economy to one based on clean and renewable energy sources, we must be mindful of how this transition will influence the labor and educational skills needed to thrive in a cleaner, automated economy. We need to embrace a transition in the energy sector towards smaller, more resilient grids that are not subject to blackouts and ensure continuous access to power regardless of economic ability. Through all of these transitions, we need to ultimately address the fundamental question: Who will “pay” for mitigation and adaptation in a non-regressive manner? This symposium will have six panels on Food, Water, Health, Labor & Education, Financing, and Energy to address these points and encompass various aspects of climate justice.

This symposium is organized by the Energy and Climate Affinity Group of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships Program. Please contact organizers at aaas.stpf.climate.justice@gmail.com

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AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the largest general scientific society in the world. The Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (STPF) program offers hands-on opportunities to apply your scientific knowledge and technical skills to important societal challenges. After a yearlong assignment in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of the federal government in Washington, fellows become members of a large and influential network of policy-savvy leaders in government, academia, industry and nonprofits.

Learn more at stpf-aaas.org