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Overview
“Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security, and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.” – Ban Ki-moon, Former UN Secretary General
At first glance, climate change might seem like an issue that affects everyone equally – how can hotter temperatures or rising sea levels affect one gender, race or community over another? However, when you dive deeper, you discover the countless ways that climate change disproportionately affects marginalized peoples and communities.
So what exactly is Environmental Justice? The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as follows: the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.
To sum it up, everyone deserves an environment free of toxins and unhealthy materials and the opportunity to live the healthiest life possible.
From industrial polluters consolidated in poor neighborhoods in US cities to commercial waste shipped from developed to developing countries, marginalized and minority populations face disproportionate environmental burdens, exposures, and risks. Communities of color are often on the frontlines of the climate crisis, yet lack adequate access to resources and information to prepare for its negative impacts, leading to health concerns, food scarcity, even mortality. One example of this inequity is Hurricane Katrina, where government assistance was distributed inequitably, with a disproportionate share going to wealthier white areas.
Climate change also worsens gender inequality. Globally, women experience higher levels of poverty than men. It is estimated that 60% of the world’s chronically hungry are women and girls. As climate change intensifies, resources will become scarcer and the number of impoverished women and girls will increase. 80% of those displaced by climate change are women. Women also have less economic and decision-making power worldwide and thus, less of a voice in critical climate decisions. However, research done by the UN suggests that when women are included in the climate discussion, they support policies more beneficial to the environment and more equitable for all.
Youth are another group unfairly impacted by climate change. The decisions that led to current environmental degradation and global warming were made by older generations. However, we are the ones who will have to live with the consequences; meaning this is a fight for our future. Even though our generation will face the intense impacts, our voices often aren’t heard or considered in the global climate debate. This is why youth globally are rising up, speaking out, and striking for the climate.
By considering the multifaceted ways that climate change impacts diverse populations and communities, we can start to create equitable climate solutions that benefit everyone.
THINK
From the Civil Rights movement to March For Our Lives, youth have long played a key role in social justice, and the climate movement is no exception. Now more than ever, youth are calling on leaders to act on this critical issue.
ACTIVITY
Swedish youth activist, Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg), has led School Strikes for Climate, with millions of students globally striking to fight climate change weekly (Fridays for Future!) and with designated mass activation days. Learn more about these climate strikes here and write a 100 word reflection.
DELIVERABLES
Upload your responses in a PDF document.
Submission Guidelines
- If you do not see an upload button, you need to log in
- Submit all entries as PDFs; no Word or Pages documents
- Be sure to include all content for your submission in one document
- Do not include # or spaces in filenames
- You will see a confirmation in green that your submission uploaded correctly; if you do not see this confirmation, please try again
- Send any questions to classroom@turninggreen.org
Don’t forget to post about the challenge and your learnings/doings on social media and tag us on Facebook @TurningGreen, on Twitter @TurningGreenOrg, and on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg and use #TGClassroom.
THINK
What does ‘climate justice’ really mean? And who does it impact? You may have a general idea, but we invite you to dive deeper to understand these words and their impact.
ACTIVITY
Watch these short videos about climate justice, indigenous rights, environmental racism, and women and climate change to further understand climate justice.
- Based on what you watched, what are three inequities facing people in our world?
- Develop a creative and powerful way to share what resonated with you. This could be a video, graphic, song, poem, etc.
DELIVERABLES
Upload your responses in a PDF document.
Submission Guidelines
- If you do not see an upload button, you need to log in
- Submit all entries as PDFs; no Word or Pages documents
- Be sure to include all content for your submission in one document
- Do not include # or spaces in filenames
- You will see a confirmation in green that your submission uploaded correctly; if you do not see this confirmation, please try again
- Send any questions to classroom@turninggreen.org
Don’t forget to post about the challenge and your learnings/doings on social media and tag us on Facebook @TurningGreen, on Twitter @TurningGreenOrg, and on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg and use #TGClassroom.
THINK
Think about an inequity that you have seen or felt in your community or school campus that harms people and the planet? What could you or would you do about it if you were observing such injustice?
ACTIVITY
Watch this inspirational video. A lifelong activist and hip hop artist Xuihtezcatl Martinez, Youth Director of Earth Guardians, calls for the United Nations to take action on climate change. Picture yourself in Xiuhtezcatl’s position. You have the same power to affect change.
Research a local environmental issue in your community, school campus or state. Think about the following:
- How does this issue affect the people in your community? Does it affect everyone equally?
- Are there specific groups that are at higher risk, or experience the consequences disproportionately? Explore why.
- What might be your solutions to change the outcomes? How might you get justice for those affected?
Once you have gathered your research, create a fact sheet that organizes your findings. Include a section that details possible solutions, as well as what you can do as an advocate and activist to initiate waves of positive change. Remember, environmental justice is social justice.
DELIVERABLES
Upload your responses in a PDF document.
Submission Guidelines
- If you do not see an upload button, you need to log in
- Submit all entries as PDFs; no Word or Pages documents
- Be sure to include all content for your submission in one document
- Do not include # or spaces in filenames
- You will see a confirmation in green that your submission uploaded correctly; if you do not see this confirmation, please try again
- Send any questions to classroom@turninggreen.org
Don’t forget to post about the challenge and your learnings/doings on social media and tag us on Facebook @TurningGreen, on Twitter @TurningGreenOrg, and on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg and use #TGClassroom.