climate justice
Last updatedWhat to know
Climate justice or environmental justice refers to the idea of safe environments as a civil rights issue, recognizing that rich, privileged nations and populations have disproportionately contributed to climate change and historically underserved populations are disproportionately affected by both climate change and polluted environments. “Race — even more than class — is the number one indicator for the placement of toxic facilities in this country hit by climate change,” per the NAACP (referring to things like coal-fired power plants and incinerators). This idea is sometimes referred to as environmental racism.
Some climate justice advocates emphasize the need to center intersectionality in finding solutions to climate change, and to consider the potential consequences of climate mitigation efforts on underserved populations (for instance, forced relocation of people to accommodate a clean energy infrastructure project). In 2023, President Biden created an Office of Environmental Justice to conduct research and develop policy solutions that address climate harms against people of color and low-income people. The Biden White House’s Justice40 initiative also directs 40 percent of benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities, focusing on things like clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, and clean water infrastructure.
Defining the term(s) being used and including statistics about the effects of environmental racism and potential policy solutions can help add vital clarity.
Additional resources
- Learn About Environmental Justice (Environmental Protection Agency)
- Environmental Justice (US Department of Labor)
- Climate Justice, Humans Rights, and the Case for Reparations (Journal of Health and Human Rights)
Summary
Climate justice or environmental justice refers to the idea of safe environments as a civil rights issue, recognizing that historically underserved populations are disproportionately affected by climate change and polluted environments. Defining the term(s) being used and including statistics about the effects of environmental racism and potential policy solutions can help add vital clarity.