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Keep educating yourself: Keep learning about the science of climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and human communities. This will help you better understand the issue and how it affects people and ecosystems around the world. Discuss the root causes of climate change, including industrialisation, deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, with others. Analyse how these factors are linked to global power dynamics and patterns of inequality. Study the social, economic and political factors that contribute to climate injustice. Examine how climate change leads to food and water insecurity, displacement and increased health risks; then analyse how these consequences exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities. This learning will really help you increase your confidence.
Study permaculture: Take a permaculture course, if you can, or learn via books and videos. Learn how to grow food by using regenerative techniques, preserve food without electricity, collect and purify (rain)water, build soil through composting, create edible shade and generate renewable energy.
Reflect on privilege and power: It is important to reflect on your own privilege and power, and how these factors shape your experiences of climate change. Analyse how privilege and power can be used to create positive change, and consider ways to leverage privilege and power in the service of climate justice.
Get involved in local initiatives: Join a local organisation that is working to address climate change. This could be a student group, environmental organisation or community-based initiative. You can also get involved in local political campaigns or petitions to advocate for policies that address climate change.
Reduce your own carbon footprint: Make lifestyle changes to reduce your carbon footprint, such as using public transportation, eating low on the food chain and using energy-efficient appliances. (More about this in Module 4.) Remember that even small actions can make a difference when they are added up and that collective action is the key to addressing climate change.
Speak out: Use your voice to raise awareness about climate justice and to advocate for solutions. Do not be afraid to speak up on your own behalf. Today’s climate disruption is your tomorrow.
And if you hear people denying the climate emergency, or using racist, sexist, classist or other derogatory language, just say “Ouch!” (or whatever it is you exclaim in your culture when something hurts you). Let people know that it pains you to hear such talk.
Share information about climate change: Talk about climate justice and climate action with your peers, family and community through social media, public speaking or writing articles. See if you can speak to nearby school learners, elders, businesspeople or service club members.
Advocate for climate justice policies: Recognise that climate change affects marginalised communities disproportionately, and support efforts to address climate justice. This means advocating for policies that prioritise the needs and voices of those most impacted by climate change, such as women and children, Indigenous peoples and low-income communities.
Hold leaders accountable: Contact your elected officials and demand (politely at first) that they take action on climate change. Attend town hall meetings, write letters (it is said that one letter equals the opinion of 300 voters) or organise rallies or marches to pressure politicians to prioritise climate action.
Engage in civil disobedience: Join or organise protests, strikes or acts of civil disobedience to draw attention to the urgency of the climate crisis and demand action from those in power. This may include nonviolent direct action, such as sit-ins or blockades.
“Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.” — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
Boycott companies and institutions that contribute to climate change: Do research on the companies and institutions that are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental degradation in your region, and boycott their products or services. You can also support divestment campaigns that call for institutions to divest from fossil fuels.
Demand systemic change: Push for systemic change through political activism, such as advocating for a Green New Deal, a “just transition” or other policies that address climate change and climate justice on a large scale. This may also include demanding an economic revolution because an economy based on constant economic growth is incompatible with a sustainable future. (A just transition will see global society move to a low [or zero] carbon economy while leaving no one behind, which means providing green [and blue] jobs for workers in the coal, oil and gas sectors and other industries that have to be shut down, giving everyone fair and equitable access to affordable renewable energy and sending funding to those countries in need of it.) (See Module 4 for more on blue and green jobs.)
The Impossible Hamster (1:09)
Watch The Impossible Hamster (1:09) to see an excellent metaphor for constant economic growth. This video has an age restriction so you may need to copy the following link into your browser and go directly to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqwd_u6HkMo
You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Become proactive: Rather than reacting to climate disasters as they happen (whether in your community or elsewhere), be proactive ahead of time. Do not wait and hope. Think ahead to get everything that you, your family and maybe even your community will need if or when another extreme weather event hits. (See Module 6 for lots of ideas on adaptation.)
Look for ways to help disadvantaged communities prepare for “more of the same” (climate change is not going to “get better”): drought, then food insecurity, interspersed with flooding and disease – or any number of other combinations of extreme weather events, which are now starting to compound (overlap or pile on top of each other).
Join international movements for climate justice: Join and support movements for climate justice that prioritise the voices of those most impacted by climate change, such as Indigenous communities, frontline communities and communities of colour. This may include participating in mutual aid networks that provide support for those affected by environmental disasters.
Promote and apply the Golden Rule: Help people see that treating others the way they would like to be treated is the foundation of climate justice and a good life.
Note that some of these suggestions may involve risks or even legal consequences. Please prioritise safety and thoughtful planning when you engage in any form of activism. You know your local culture. Seek an elder’s wisdom or a mentor’s advice before moving forward. There is a lot an activist can do without ever getting hurt or arrested.
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A happy ending? What can you do for climate justice?
We have just seen in how many different ways governments, corporations, older generations, wealthy nations and the wealthy within each nation can contribute to climate justice.
—Professor Henry Shue, American philosopher and author of
The Pivotal Generation: Why We Have a Moral Responsibility to Slow Climate Change Right Now
A lot has now been written about climate justice. But what about you? What can you contribute? Let’s turn to you and your climate champion journey now.
Activity
In your learning journal, write down some ideas that emerged while you read through all the other strategies for achieving climate justice within climate action – strategies that you can act upon to ensure climate justice.
Remember, there can be no climate justice without climate action, but not all climate action leads to climate justice. Climate action (see Modules 4, 6 and 7) alone is not enough; climate change solutions need to be equitable, fair and inclusive (see Module 5). Read that again:
Climate action needs to include solutions that are equitable, fair and inclusive.
That is climate justice.
What is the Climate Justice Charter? (3:44)
Watch What is the Climate Justice Charter? (3:44) to see what young people in other parts of the world are committing to.
You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Assignment
With your own list in mind, read through the list of climate justice action strategies below. Choose one (or more) that you can commit to implementing in your life and your community in the next month. Write it (them) in your learning journal. Keep track of your successes and challenges as you go. You never know when your learning could help someone else on their journey.
Climate justice strategies for young activists and climate champions
Keep educating yourself: Keep learning about the science of climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and human communities. This will help you better understand the issue and how it affects people and ecosystems around the world. Discuss the root causes of climate change, including industrialisation, deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, with others. Analyse how these factors are linked to global power dynamics and patterns of inequality. Study the social, economic and political factors that contribute to climate injustice. Examine how climate change leads to food and water insecurity, displacement and increased health risks; then analyse how these consequences exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities. This learning will really help you increase your confidence.
Study permaculture: Take a permaculture course, if you can, or learn via books and videos. Learn how to grow food by using regenerative techniques, preserve food without electricity, collect and purify (rain)water, build soil through composting, create edible shade and generate renewable energy.
Reflect on privilege and power: It is important to reflect on your own privilege and power, and how these factors shape your experiences of climate change. Analyse how privilege and power can be used to create positive change, and consider ways to leverage privilege and power in the service of climate justice.
Get involved in local initiatives: Join a local organisation that is working to address climate change. This could be a student group, environmental organisation or community-based initiative. You can also get involved in local political campaigns or petitions to advocate for policies that address climate change.
Reduce your own carbon footprint: Make lifestyle changes to reduce your carbon footprint, such as using public transportation, eating low on the food chain and using energy-efficient appliances. (More about this in Module 4.) Remember that even small actions can make a difference when they are added up and that collective action is the key to addressing climate change.
Speak out: Use your voice to raise awareness about climate justice and to advocate for solutions. Do not be afraid to speak up on your own behalf. Today’s climate disruption is your tomorrow.
And if you hear people denying the climate emergency, or using racist, sexist, classist or other derogatory language, just say “Ouch!” (or whatever it is you exclaim in your culture when something hurts you). Let people know that it pains you to hear such talk.
Share information about climate change: Talk about climate justice and climate action with your peers, family and community through social media, public speaking or writing articles. See if you can speak to nearby school learners, elders, businesspeople or service club members.
Advocate for climate justice policies: Recognise that climate change affects marginalised communities disproportionately, and support efforts to address climate justice. This means advocating for policies that prioritise the needs and voices of those most impacted by climate change, such as women and children, Indigenous peoples and low-income communities.
Hold leaders accountable: Contact your elected officials and demand (politely at first) that they take action on climate change. Attend town hall meetings, write letters (it is said that one letter equals the opinion of 300 voters) or organise rallies or marches to pressure politicians to prioritise climate action.
Engage in civil disobedience: Join or organise protests, strikes or acts of civil disobedience to draw attention to the urgency of the climate crisis and demand action from those in power. This may include nonviolent direct action, such as sit-ins or blockades.
“Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.” — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
Boycott companies and institutions that contribute to climate change: Do research on the companies and institutions that are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental degradation in your region, and boycott their products or services. You can also support divestment campaigns that call for institutions to divest from fossil fuels.
Demand systemic change: Push for systemic change through political activism, such as advocating for a Green New Deal, a “just transition” or other policies that address climate change and climate justice on a large scale. This may also include demanding an economic revolution because an economy based on constant economic growth is incompatible with a sustainable future. (A just transition will see global society move to a low [or zero] carbon economy while leaving no one behind, which means providing green [and blue] jobs for workers in the coal, oil and gas sectors and other industries that have to be shut down, giving everyone fair and equitable access to affordable renewable energy and sending funding to those countries in need of it.) (See Module 4 for more on blue and green jobs.)
The Impossible Hamster (1:09)
Watch The Impossible Hamster (1:09) to see an excellent metaphor for constant economic growth. This video has an age restriction so you may need to copy the following link into your browser and go directly to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqwd_u6HkMo
You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Become proactive: Rather than reacting to climate disasters as they happen (whether in your community or elsewhere), be proactive ahead of time. Do not wait and hope. Think ahead to get everything that you, your family and maybe even your community will need if or when another extreme weather event hits. (See Module 6 for lots of ideas on adaptation.)
Look for ways to help disadvantaged communities prepare for “more of the same” (climate change is not going to “get better”): drought, then food insecurity, interspersed with flooding and disease – or any number of other combinations of extreme weather events, which are now starting to compound (overlap or pile on top of each other).
Join international movements for climate justice: Join and support movements for climate justice that prioritise the voices of those most impacted by climate change, such as Indigenous communities, frontline communities and communities of colour. This may include participating in mutual aid networks that provide support for those affected by environmental disasters.
Promote and apply the Golden Rule: Help people see that treating others the way they would like to be treated is the foundation of climate justice and a good life.
Note that some of these suggestions may involve risks or even legal consequences. Please prioritise safety and thoughtful planning when you engage in any form of activism. You know your local culture. Seek an elder’s wisdom or a mentor’s advice before moving forward. There is a lot an activist can do without ever getting hurt or arrested.
Activity
Look back at your definition of climate justice (which you wrote at the end of Lesson 1.1). How would you change it now, after a module’s worth of learning? Go ahead and update your definition in your learning journal.
In your learning journal, give three reasons why you should become a climate champion for climate justice and three reasons why you want to become one. (It is up to you whether or not you do, but you will have your rationale ready, along with your definition of climate justice, your nation’s climate justice profile, your social media post and meme and your government survey.)
As you finish up this “deep dive” into climate justice, remember, action is the antidote to despair.
Despair is useless. . . . What keeps us going, ultimately, is our love for each other, and our refusal to bow our heads, to accept the verdict, however all-powerful it seems. It’s what ordinary people have to do. You have to love each other. You have to defend each other. You have to fight. — Mike Davis, American author and historian
One last time, before you wrap up this module, rate your current confidence as a Champion for Climate Justice. (Be honest – and courageous – with yourself.)
0 means “Still no confidence at all ”😒
10 means “Cannot wait to get out there and start giving climate justice presentations in my community!😊”
Self-assessment
In Module 4, you will learn different strategies for mitigating the climate emergency, including making your carbon footprint smaller and finding a “blue” or “green” job.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, you
Module Assessment
Now complete the Module 3 assessment
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