BaCCC/Module 3/Lesson 1/Part 1

Module 3, Lesson 1: Climate Justice Explained, Part 1

Climate Justice Now!, placard, 2018 (cropped)

Introduction

This lesson introduces the elements of climate justice and its history, presented through videos and activities that will help you explore the concept.

Learning scenario

The idea of climate justice is fairly new. Many people have joined the climate justice movement for the purpose of saving all of humanity from the climate crisis. Our institution decided to join the movement by creating climate champions who will advocate for climate justice and climate action within the institution and in the community. The idea is to have as many young people as possible promoting climate justice for the purpose of fairly and equitably reducing the effects of climate change on humanity and the rest of nature (the environment) for generations to come. However, if you and other youth are feeling that you need more information about the concept of climate justice before you can take on being climate champions, this module is for you. (Note: This is for real. It is not a made-up scenario.)

First things first. Before you move on, rate your current confidence as a climate justice champion:

0 means “No confidence at all ” 😒

10 means “Feeling completely confident! 😊”

Self-assessment

0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

Lesson Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• define climate justice; and
• apply the history and the main elements of climate justice to a profile of climate justice in your own country.

Terminology

The following terms are important in understanding the science behind climate change. If you want to remember them, write their meanings in your learning journal as you encounter them in the course content.

• climate justice
• historical responsibility
• human rights
• inclusivity
• intergenerational equity
• solidarity

Defining climate justice

The word “definition” comes from the Latin verb meaning “to set bounds [boundaries] to.” This is important when it comes to trying to define climate justice, as it is a broad, rich and deep concept with, as you will see, lots of history. So, let’s explore the elements of climate justice, and then you will develop your own definition of it – one that makes sense in the context of your life, your community and your nation.

Activity

In your learning journal, write your first draft of a definition of climate justice, based on your current familiarity with the concept.

Climate justice is a concept that aims to address the disproportionate consequences of climate change. In the simplest terms, climate justice means addressing the fact that those who have contributed the least to climate change are often hit hardest by its impacts.

The most important elements of climate justice

Equity*: Climate justice requires that the benefits and burdens of climate action and policies be distributed fairly and equitably across different social and economic groups. This means that vulnerable populations, such as women and children, people of colour, low-income communities and Indigenous communities should not bear a disproportionate burden of the costs or negative impacts of climate change – and they may need extra help adapting to the impacts as well. Equality means everyone getting the same. Equity means everyone getting what they need. It recognises that people have different needs, challenges and levels of privilege and, therefore, require different levels of support in order to have an equal chance at success.
Inclusivity: Climate justice emphasises the need for diverse and inclusive participation in decision-making processes related to climate action. This includes empowering marginalised communities and those most affected by climate change to participate in the development and implementation of climate policies.
Protection of human rights: Climate justice recognises that climate change is a human rights issue and that addressing it requires respect for and the protection of the rights of all individuals, especially those who are most vulnerable to its impacts. This includes the right to life, health, food, water, livelihoods and a liveable environment – all of which are threatened by climate change.
Recognition of historical responsibility: Wealthy nations and individuals have a greater historical responsibility for causing climate change and, therefore, should take greater responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting vulnerable communities that are already experiencing the impacts of climate change.
Solidarity and global co-operation: Climate justice acknowledges the unequal distribution of responsibility for climate change and its impacts and emphasises the need for global co-operation and solidarity to address the issue. No one can solve this challenge alone. This means that developed countries must keep their 1992 promise (in the UNFCCC) to support developing countries in their efforts to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Intergenerational equity: Climate justice requires that present actions and policies consider the needs and interests of future generations, who will be most affected by the consequences of climate change. This means taking into account the long-term impacts of current decisions and policies on the environment and future generations.

“	At the global level, those who are least responsible suffer the biggest consequences. At the community level, marginalised groups are the most exposed and vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The present generation has a duty toward future generations.	”
—National Youth Council of Ireland, An Introduction to Climate Justice

Just How Unfair Climate Change Is

Watch this video to see just how unfair climate change is. Note: A gigatonne (or gigaton) is 1,000,000,000 tonnes (1 billion tonnes or 1 trillion kilograms!), and a tonne (or metric ton) is 1,000 kilograms. Even when scientists use “gigaton” (the American spelling), they are talking about one billion of the metric tonne or 1,000 kilograms (not 2,000 pounds, as in the United States). In any case, a gigaton of carbon is a HUGE amount.

Just How Unfair Climate Change Is (10:10):

Remember you can turn captions on or off.

If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.

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Activity

Now that you have watched the video, reflect on the following questions in your learning journal.

1. What does the slogan “We’re not all in this together” mean to you after watching this video?

2. What other sorts of justice and equity do you believe must be intertwined with climate justice? In one or two sentences, explain why or why not for each of the following:

• social justice
• racial justice
• gender equality
• workers’ rights
• LGBTQ rights
• intergenerational equity
• others

3. What do you think of the statement “To understand climate justice, we need to understand climate injustice” in terms of helping others understand climate justice? Do you think it is true or false? Explain why. Share one local and one national example of climate injustice that you are aware of or that has impacted you and your family.

4. Do you think this juxtaposition is an effective way to look at climate justice? Why or why not? What elements would you add to help explain climate justice?

Who is most responsible for climate change? versus Who is most impacted by climate change?

5. Do research to find out how many tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) your country is responsible for i. every year ii. in total, cumulatively over time (a lot of the CO₂ we emit remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years) Here are two Internet starting places for your research:

• "Each Country's Share of CO₂ Emissions"
• "CO₂ CO₂ Emissions by Country"

6. The young people in the video use a court case to demand climate justice. What is another strategy that young people in different parts of the world are using in their fight for intergenerational equity and climate justice? Can you picture yourself getting involved in a court case? Can you picture yourself getting involved in the strategy you found through your research? Why or why not?

7. How can we ensure that climate justice is considered when mitigation (Module 4) and adaptation strategies (Module 6) are discussed and decided upon? Suggest at least one strategy.

8. At the same time, how can we ensure that “climate justice” awareness (or the lack of it) is not used as an excuse to slow down urgent climate change mitigation (problem solving) and adaptation efforts? Suggest at least one strategy.

For feedback, discuss these questions and your responses with your family, a friend or a teacher:

Persistent economic inequality has profound impacts on the resilience of countries around the world to climate change. As if to add insult to injury, the countries in the Global South that find themselves most impacted by a crisis created by the actions of the Global North find themselves without adequate resources to adapt to that crisis – also due to the actions of the Global North.
The story is much the same when looking at individual countries. It is the wealthiest who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions, while it is the poorest and most marginalised who are hit first and hit hardest by the effects of global warming, and who, at the same time, are least equipped to adapt to the upheavals that it brings.
— Adapted from Global Witness (2021), “What Is Climate Justice?”
"What Is Climate Justice?"

Activity

What do you think of this definition?

“	Climate justice connects environmental justice – including the right to clean air, clean water, a healthy environment and food security – to human rights. It recognizes institutionalized and historical injustices that perpetuate and exacerbate poverty through global – national, regional, and local – actions that have local implications. Our climate emergency is not color blind; nor is it an equal opportunity crisis.	”
—Harriet Shugarman (2020), How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change: Turning Angst Into Action

Is this definition relevant to your life? In other words, does it apply to where you live? Is it easy enough for young people to grasp quickly? Can you simplify some terms? Does it include aspects of climate justice not in your own definition that you would like to include in yours? (Go ahead, but use your own words, please.)

In your learning journal, refine and rewrite your definition of climate justice based on what you just learnt and by using local examples from your own community or national examples from your own country to make your definition more relevant and compelling.

Share your definition with your family, a friend or a teacher. Ask them if your definition helps them to clearly understand the concept of climate justice. Rewrite your definition until you are happy with its length (conciseness) and effectiveness.

Now let’s look at the aspects of human history that led to the need for a climate justice movement.