What is the concept of climate justice?

The concept of climate justice is fundamentally centered on the equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens associated with climate change. This principle recognizes that the impacts of climate change are not felt equally across different communities and that marginalized and vulnerable populations often bear the brunt of its adverse effects, despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate justice advocates for actions and policies that address these disparities by ensuring that disadvantaged groups have a voice in decision-making processes regarding climate policies and that they receive adequate support to adapt to challenges. This approach emphasizes fairness in the allocation of resources, opportunities for participation, and the responsibility of wealthier nations and individuals to support those at greater risk.

In contrast, other choices do not align with the core tenets of climate justice. Maximizing economic growth might overlook social and environmental equity, while preserving traditional ecological knowledge, although important, does not specifically address the distributional impacts of climate change. Ensuring energy independence speaks to national interests rather than the equitable treatment of affected populations in the context of climate change.