Definition and Concepts
Climate change: Long-term shift in global temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental justice: Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens; addressing disproportionate environmental harm to marginalized communities.
Key insight: Climate change and environmental issues are political and justice questions, not just scientific/technical.
Climate Change as Political Issue
Scientific Facts
Cause: Greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, methane, etc.) trap heat
Sources: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), agriculture, deforestation
Effects:
- Rising temperatures
- Extreme weather (hurricanes, droughts)
- Sea level rise
- Ecosystem collapse
- Species extinction
Certainty: 97%+ of climate scientists agree on human-caused climate change
Political Dimensions
Differs by country:
- Wealthy countries often deny or downplay
- Poor countries suffer most
- Climate action requires changing energy systems
- Affects economic interests
Conflict of interest: Fossil fuel industries resist regulation
Values clash: Economic growth vs. environment protection
Environmental Injustice
Disproportionate Impacts
Poor communities:
- Live near pollution sources (factories, highways)
- Highest exposure to toxic chemicals
- Least able to move
- Worst health outcomes
Global: Poorest countries suffer most climate impacts
Racial dimension: Racial minorities disproportionately affected
Example: Flint water crisis (poor minority city)
Why Environmental Injustice
Causes:
- Polluting industries locate in poor areas (cheapest land)
- Poor lack political power to resist
- Wealthy can afford clean environments
- Regulatory capture (industry influences rules)
- Historical discrimination
Perpetuation: Environmental racism (deliberate or not)
Solutions Demanded
Environmental justice movement:
- Local control over decisions
- Community participation
- Ending disproportionate exposure
- Remediation of past harm
- Connecting environmental and social justice
Climate Justice
Climate Injustice
Historical responsibility:
- Wealthy countries industrialized using fossil fuels
- Caused climate change
- Now wealthy
Current impacts:
- Poor countries suffer most (less infrastructure, more agriculture-dependent)
- Have contributed least to problem
- Have least capacity to adapt
Unequal responsibility and impact: Core injustice
Climate Justice Demands
International level:
- Historical responsibility recognition
- Climate finance from wealthy to poor
- Technology transfer
- Loss and damage compensation
- Reparations concept
National level:
- Just transition (workers in coal industry protected)
- Investment in poor communities
- Environmental protection where poor live
- Climate resilience for vulnerable
Climate Refugees
Definition: People displaced by climate change (sea level rise, desertification, drought)
Numbers: Potentially millions over coming decades