Climate justice is about ensuring fairness in addressing climate change, particularly for those who are most vulnerable or least responsible for the problem. It emphasizes advocating for marginalized communities, holding major polluters accountable, and providing essential resources to handle issues like extreme weather and rising sea levels. The core principles of climate justice involve equity, inclusion, responsibility, adaptation and resilience, and transformative change.
Equity involves recognizing and addressing past and present inequalities in greenhouse gas emissions and their effects. Inclusion ensures that marginalized groups, such as indigenous peoples and low-income populations, are represented in climate decision-making processes. Responsibility focuses on holding wealthy nations and large corporations accountable for their contributions to climate change and advocating for reparations to affected communities. Adaptation and resilience support vulnerable communities in building their ability to withstand climate impacts through access to adaptation resources and disaster response. Transformative change promotes systemic shifts in social, economic, and political structures to address the root causes of climate change and foster sustainability.
In education, it's essential to cultivate independent, critical thinking in students, balancing pedagogical theory with practical experience and offering constructive feedback in a creative, supportive environment. My teaching integrates real-world applications and technological theory, using empirical data to guide design decisions. Collaborating on a project with Howard and Drexel Universities, we focus on Zero Energy Buildings and innovations in energy reduction, generation, storage, and AI-driven management. My multicultural background enriches my teaching and professional work, helping to bridge diverse perspectives and enhance inclusivity in both classroom and collaborative settings.