Social Justice is Not A Term To Be Feared: Climate Injustice Is

Nothing exists in isolation in this world. Everything is connected. The effects of climate change are and will be experienced unevenly around the globe. Despite contributing little to global warming, it is the most vulnerable people that already suffer the worst of climate change. They are also the least prepared to protect themselves against this new imposed threat. How do we work with those most at risk to develop ways in which they can adapt and maintain their existing lifestyles. The decade of 1998-2007 was the warmest on record. The top 11 warmest years all occurred in the past 13 years. This warming is being caused by human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. In order to avoid a catastrophic rise of over 42 degrees by the end of the century, global emissions need to have peaked by 2015 and reduced by at least 80% by 2050. Is it possible that climate racism and climate injustice leading to climate genocide exist? It is the poorest people in developing countries that are feeling the most severe human, physical, and financial impacts of climate change. They are also the least prepared to protect themselves against this new imposed threat. Practical Action is working with those most at risk to develop ways in which they can adapt and maintain their existing lifestyles. As climate change becomes increasingly urgent, more people are seeking to expand their understanding of the issues that surround it. What can you do? Nia Robinson brings her skills, commitment, and passion for organizing to EJCC. Her transition from concerned citizen to the helm of EJCC demonstrates her commitment to EJCC’s core work. Before joining EJCC, she was an organizer and labor relations representative with Service Employees International Union and a program organizer with the Earth Tomorrow Program of the National Wildlife Federation. Ms. Robinson hails from Detroit, MI, home of Mototown, GM and some of the nation’s worst indicators of community and environmental health.