Climate Justice

 

"Climate justice" means looking at climate change not just as an environmental problem, but also as a fairness and equity issue.

It recognizes that:

1. Those least responsible often suffer the most.
   For example, poorer countries and marginalized communities usually contribute far less to greenhouse gas emissions, yet they often face the harshest impacts—like droughts, floods, and food insecurity—because they have fewer resources to adapt.

2. Wealthier nations and corporations have historically caused more harm.
   Since industrialization, certain countries and industries have emitted the bulk of greenhouse gases. Climate justice argues they should bear a larger responsibility for reducing emissions and helping vulnerable communities adapt.

3. It’s about protecting rights and dignity.
   It connects climate change to human rights, health, housing, food, and cultural survival. For example, if rising seas swallow an island nation, its people lose not just homes, but history, identity, and sovereignty.

4. Solutions must be fair.
   Fighting climate change should not deepen inequalities—so policies, investments, and green technologies should benefit everyone, not just the wealthy.

A short way to put it:

Climate justice is the idea that tackling climate change should also tackle inequality—making sure those who caused the most harm do the most to fix it, and those most affected get the most support.