Change the Chamber’s Post

An international study involving people from 11 countries has shown that most people, including those in areas most affected by #climatechange, don't understand the term "#climatejustice." However, they do recognise the social, historical, and economic injustices that characterise the #climatecrisis. The findings could help shape more effective communications and advocacy. Researchers from the Univeristy of Nottingham's School of Psychology led a study that surveyed 5,627 adults in 11 countries (#Australia, #Brazil, #Germany, #India, #Japan, #Netherlands, #Nigeria, #Philippines, #UnitedArabEmirates, #UnitedKingdom, and #UnitedStates) to assess familiarity with the concept of climate justice. This is the first study to examine public understanding of climate change outside of #Europe and #NorthAmerica. The research has been published in Nature Climate Change. The findings demonstrate that basic recognition of the social, historical, and economic injustices that characterise the climate crisis is common around the world, even if people do not consciously connect this understanding with the concept of climate justice. The researchers found that two-thirds of people in these countries had never heard of climate justice. The majority of people surveyed were supportive of climate justice-related beliefs, including the notions that poorer people suffer worse impacts from climate change (78% agreement), people from the worst-affected communities should have more of a say in decisions concerning climate change (78%), and that capitalism and colonialism are underpinning elements of the climate crisis (70%). Endorsement of these climate justice-related beliefs was also positively associated with engagement in climate actions and support for just climate policies. Climate justice broadly encompasses recognition that (1) climate change impacts are unequally felt across society; (2) the worst affected groups often have the least say in the selection and implementation of societal responses to climate change, and (3) climate change-related policymaking processes often fail to recognise the legitimate interests of politically voiceless communities, consequently contributing to further disenfranchisement of marginalised groups. It is a framework that enables those involved in policymaking to identify and tackle the multiple different ways in which the climate crisis intersects with longstanding patterns of social injustice.

A recent international study, led by the University of Nottingham, highlights a crucial gap in global understanding: while the term "climate justice" may not be widely recognized, the principles behind it resonate deeply across the world. Surveying 5,627 adults from 11 countries, the research found that two-thirds of people had never heard of climate justice, yet many acknowledged the unequal impacts of the climate crisis. Key findings show: 🔸 78% of people agreed that poorer communities face the worst impacts of climate change. 🔸 There’s strong belief that those most affected by climate change should have a greater voice in decision-making (also 78% agreement). 🔸 70% of participants recognized that systems like capitalism and colonialism are driving forces behind the climate crisis. This study is a wake-up call for me as well. As someone who is relatively new to the social impact space, I’ve learned that there’s always room to educate myself on matters that deeply affect people, including myself as a Black woman who witnesses firsthand the impacts of inequality. The challenge lies in ensuring that more people, especially in vulnerable communities, are familiar with the framework of climate justice so that they can actively participate in solutions. The opportunity lies in leveraging the widespread recognition of social and economic inequalities within the climate crisis to drive stronger advocacy and policy change. While the terminology may be unfamiliar, the issues are not. The climate crisis amplifies longstanding injustices, and our responses must prioritize those who are least responsible but most affected. It’s essential that we not only recognize these inequities but that we act—ensuring that the voices of frontline communities guide the solutions. The more we elevate awareness, the closer we get to truly just climate policies. Let’s continue pushing for climate action that centers fairness, equity, and real participation from all. #ClimateJustice #ClimateAction #EquityInAction https://lnkd.in/gASEdWYa

#NewBlogPost In the context of racial and climate justice, intersectionality reveals how race, economic status, and environmental factors negatively impact historically excluded groups. Our economies' resilience, environmental health, and communal well-being are undeniably linked. This complex reality, where climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities, underscores the urgent need for an inclusive approach to investing and economics to address the climate crisis in pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable future. Continue reading "Investing in a More Sustainable World: Intersectionality and Climate Justice" and discover more on the CFA Blog at https://lnkd.in/dm-Duv46 #ClimateJustice #ClimateAction #ClimateCrisis #EnvironmentalJustice #WorkersRights #ClimateChange

Julia Teebken's new article in Global Environmental Change addresses the role local environmental agencies, bureaucrats, and policy practitioners can play in addressing "vulnerable populations." She asserts that "in climate change adaptation research and practice ... the concept has long been contested." The article emphasizes the following points: — Local policymaking on climate adaptation and "vulnerable populations" is deficient. — Political bias prevents select "vulnerable populations" from being prioritized. — Accidental forms of adaptation focus on blue-green infrastructure in city centers. — Vulnerability is more deeply rooted in the external conditions of the individual. — We must refocus the debate on vulnerable, unresponsive political institutions. #climateadaptation #climateaction #resilience #climatepolicy #AdaptationLeader

Another published article, another big PhD milestone. This article is about the relationships and organising processes that made WAs climate and health community of practice and inquiry (a world first) possible and set in motion more climate responsive policy processes in WA. We explore how care work, trust, solidarity, etc are central to transformative climate policy and advocate for decision making centred on Aboriginal and lived experience expertise and connection to Country. It was a difficult story to tell because climate governance in WA is typically limited by fossil fuel interests and promotes unambitious top-down extractive technological and market based responses. This means that climate justice organising within the public sector is highly sensitive and writing about it is risky. On top of that, the relational and intersectional organising processes we examine are often underappreciated and overlooked. I'm so grateful to the anonymous co-researchers for letting us share this story and the co-authors for pulling this story together! https://lnkd.in/gu5uqPMC

The latest report from the Dialogue’s Energy Transition and Climate Program, authored by environmental scholar Dr Stacy-ann Robinson, presents the findings of the Caribbean Citizen Advisory Group (CAG). This project united a group of diverse voices from historically marginalized communities across the Caribbean region to collaboratively respond to the Biden-Harris Administration’s flagship effort to combat climate change in the Caribbean, #PACC2030.     Key gaps in PACC 2030 identified in the report include:   🔹 Lack of awareness of PACC 2030 among relevant, climate-focused Caribbean civil society organizations (CSOs).   🔹 CSO stakeholders believe that PACC 2030’s focus on national governments and the private sector will significantly reduce its chances of on-the- ground success.    🔹 PACC 2030 seemingly duplicates and/or repackages previous US initiatives that were terminated early or did not meet their objectives.      The report synthesizes the perspectives of these diverse voices on PACC 2030 and offers a diagnosis of the initiative’s present efficacy alongside a roadmap for future policy improvements toward the Caribbean.     The Caribbean Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) aims to ensure that PACC 2030 reflects the needs of subnational populations most affected by climate change in the Caribbean and incorporates local wisdom-- particularly intergenerational ecological knowledge and practices. CAG members include representatives from environmental and climate organizations, rural and Indigenous leaders, members of economic and social development groups, activists for women and youth, and educators.    Read the report linked below to discover solutions identified to remedy these programming gaps:    https://bit.ly/4dc1D6u   

#ICYMI Check out this report I did for the Inter-American Dialogue on how equity and justice can be built into US-Caribbean partnerships to address climate change.

Our new survey of climate emotions, thoughts and plans of youth in the US was just published in Lancet Planetary Health. https://lnkd.in/giMC4uFJ This new survey was conducted with nearly 16,000 youth in the US and found that 85% are worried about climate change.  96% of respondents who identify as Democrats, 86% independent or other, 74% Republican), including over 75% of respondents in every state and state cluster. Key findings: - A supermajority of young people across the political spectrum including Democrats, Republicans and independents/other report widespread distress about climate change. - Many Gen Zers said that climate change is impacting their mental health.  - A majority of young people say that climate change is influencing their future planning, including where they choose to live, their career choices, and decisions about having children. - The survey highlights a widespread desire among young people, of all political identifications, for bolder action from the U.S. government and corporations to address the climate crisis and disappointment in the response so far.   The Guardian has written about it here: https://lnkd.in/gCi95PyT More info below. Thanks for taking this call to action in.

Another new publication from the WELS Group and The Nature Conservancy! -- "Conceptualizing Equity and Justice in Climate Adaptation: A Scoping Review." In this study, we explore the diverse ways climate adaptation researchers conceptualize equity and justice, synthesizing 316 articles to lend insight into emerging practices and future research needs. Our findings highlight the need for clarity in definitions and conceptual grounding while underscoring the importance of pluralism in how these terms are measured and defined. Key themes: - Limited differentiation between equity and justice. - Importance of scale, affected actors, pathways, and normative principles. - Need for explicit definitions and conceptual grounding. - Importance of pluralism in measuring and defining equity and justice. We provide guidance for achieving clarity in the study and practice of climate adaptation and compare common frameworks according to their specific utility and most relevant contexts. 🔍 Check out our full publication! https://lnkd.in/gbBR2YWm #ClimateAdaptation #Equity #Justice #Research #Publication #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalJustice #AdaptationFrameworks #ScopingReview

The following article has recently been published on Early View in "Geographical Research" and is Open Access. Trott, C. D. (2024). Rewriting the climate story with young climate justice activists. Geographical Research, 1–19. https://lnkd.in/g4q_b4BS