Promoting Climate Justice
What is climate justice?
From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, environmental changes often have disproportionate effects on vulnerable, marginalised communities.
Since many of the communities we work with depend on environmental regularity for food and water security, to support their livelihoods, economy, health and wellbeing, a changing climate poses one of the greatest threats to their lives - and risks driving them further into poverty.
‘Climate justice’ is a term that acknowledges that environmental changes can have differing social, economic, public health, and other adverse impacts on vulnerable populations.
According to the United Nations, “The impacts of climate change will not be borne equally or fairly, between rich and poor, women and men, and older and younger generations.”
“Climate change is happening now and to all of us. No country or community is immune. And, as is always the case, the poor and vulnerable are the first to suffer and the worst hit," says UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
As a result, there is a growing focus on climate justice, which looks at environmental changes through a human rights lens, striving to address these inequities through long-term strategies.
Climate change is happening now and to all of us. No country or community is immune. And, as is always the case, the poor and vulnerable are the first to suffer and the worst hit.
Climate impacts can exacerbate inequitable social conditions
Low-income communities, indigenous people, people with disabilities, older people, women and children – are often more susceptible to the risks posed by climate impacts, including cyclones, floods and earthquakes. These communities may have fewer existing resources to help them to deal with these impacts, such as limited access to food and water.
A 2020 World Bank paper estimates that between 32 to 132 million additional people will be pushed into extreme poverty by 2030 due to climate change.
Existing social conditions that put vulnerable communities at increased risk of climate-related shocks include:
- Poor housing or makeshift shelters which are unable to withstand floods, typhoons, or rising sea levels
- Limited resources to prepare for future disasters or to afford items like drought-resilient seedlings
- Prolonged drought and flooding may also affect food supply or distribution, making it harder for people to access affordable, nutritious food
- Low incomes, limited resources and a poor local economy mean that rebuilding and recovery in the wake of natural disasters is challenging and may take years
- Increasing natural disasters and environmental changes can also affect the health of populations, including the spread of water and airborne diseases and limit access to medicine and health care.
Why climate justice is important
Natural disasters cost about US$18 billion a year in low and middle-income countries through damage to power and transport infrastructure alone. They also trigger wider disruptions for households and firms costing at least US$390 billion a year.
They force people to evacuate their homes, drive populations deeper into food and water insecurity, and exacerbate health, social and economic problems. These challenges are further compounded by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Significant effort is needed to help people living in vulnerable communities in low-income countries, to adapt to environmental changes to ensure that progress made in poverty reduction globally is not reversed.
Hear the latest news and stories from our work in Australia and abroad
Stay up to date with Global Issues and the positive impact you can make.