How to set the stage for a fair and sustainable world

Climate justice and social justice must go hand in hand. "They're two sides of the same coin and are, so, intrinsically intertwined"; that's what Rachel Scheel and Justine Tabarin wrote in their latest column. In this piece, they advocate for fairness and equity at the core of any efficient climate justice. Just like we can't invite inclusion and diversity without fostering equity, we can't promote climate justice without tackling deep-rooted social inequities. The two go hand in hand! Why?  

The fact that our modern way of life accelerates climate change is no big news, but we must acknowledge that the ones standing on the frontline and suffering its backlash are the most vulnerable. "It is the ultimate unfairness!" according to Rachel and Justine. It's the most vulnerable and marginalized communities that face the brunt of climate change without the right resources to anticipate, adapt, and recover from its backlash.  

So, where do we start to combat climate change in an efficient, and yet fair and sustainable manner?  

• Supporting the most vulnerable communities, voicing their needs and specific challenges. How? "To truly understand the extent and nature of their challenges, we have little choice but to involve them. Only then can we develop policies that consider all social factors and address systematic issues that may impact certain diverse profiles and backgrounds."
• Understanding the crucial role intersectionality plays here. "Social justice teaches us [...] how various aspects of identity—like race, gender, age, and class—intersect. This understanding is important when tackling climate change because different groups experience its effects uniquely and may need different levels of support."
• Reducing CO2 emissions without overlooking human costs. "It all boils down to fairness, so equity plays a critical role here. We can’t make inclusive policies without involving vulnerable communities in decision-making to address their needs and perspectives." 

It is urgent to understand that social inequities and climate change are both parts of the same struggle. Only a fair society can be sustainable. We must be bold and creative if we want to rethink our approach and invest to help the most vulnerable become more resilient to the impact of climate change.  

Let's wrap up with another insightful extract from Rachel and Justine's column; "If we want to address climate change through a social justice lens, we must first recognise these inequities to tackle them efficiently. We know solutions must focus on inclusion and equity, and policies and actions to combat climate change must address social and economic injustices too. These are not standalone issues – they go hand in hand." 

Read the full column