Welcome! I’m Alina, a youth advocate and International Relations student who believes in making a difference. In this blog, I’m going to pen down my thoughts on one of my favorite topics—climate justice and its deep connection to social justice. Addressing climate change isn’t just about protecting the planet; it’s about standing up for the people who need it most. Let’s dive into this together!
Climate Justice is Social Justice.
Well, this is not just an argument; it’s a fact. Before I discuss the co-relation between Climate change and Social Justice in depth, it is necessary to understand the literal meaning of Climate Justice and identify when this term was first coined in history.
The term Climate Justice is first used in the 1990s, emerging from “environmental justice movements” in response to growing evidence of the unequal impact of climate change on different communities. During that period, activists and scholars linked climate change with social and economic inequality, emphasizing that those who are least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions bear the most. A notable quote from the famous Dr. Martin Luther King in which he describes the connection between Climate and Social Welfare:
“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
This quote reflects the interconnectedness of humanity and the environment, which shows that climate change impacts everyone, especially marginalized and vulnerable communities that suffer the most. This situation creates discrimination or inequality at the international level. It led to chaotic global conditions and divided the world into two divisions:
Modern Context: Global North vs. Global South
In the modern era, a new term emerges that discriminates developed and industrialized countries from developing and underdeveloped countries. This difference is not only limited to climate but can also seen from the lens of social and economic perspectives as well.
The debate is mainly over which countries have contributed most to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and how the costs of mitigating and adapting to climate change should be shared. Industrialized and post-industrialized nations are responsible for a significant share of the historical carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the atmosphere today. The United States (US) has emitted more carbon than any other country and is responsible for 25 percent of historical emissions. Next in line are the twenty-seven countries of the EU (plus the UK), which are responsible for 22 percent of global CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, China’s historical contributions are estimated to be around 12.7 percent. By contrast, India (3 percent) and Brazil (0.9 percent) have historically not been significant contributors to global emissions. Similarly, the contributions of African countries (3 percent combined), relative to the continent’s population size, have also been minimal.
In addition, the Global North continues to have much higher per capita emissions than much of the world even today. The US ranked high among post-industrialized countries in 2019, with 16 tons of CO2 emissions per capita, just behind Australia (16.3 tons per capita) and ahead of Canada (15.4 tons per capita). The figures for Europe generally fall between 5 and 10 tons per capita, depending on the country. Hydrocarbon-based economies like Russia and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the Persian Gulf like Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates also rank pretty high, some even higher than countries in the Global North.
Impacts on Global South:
Even though, the contribution of the Global South has been significantly less in the past few years it devastatingly impacted on lives of people there. For example, Pakistan contributed to 1 % of global greenhouse emissions ranking as the 18 largest emitters in 2018. However, the 2022 floods had drastic impacts on Pakistan’s economy and social life. The 2022 floods affected almost 33 million people and caused over $15 billion in damages. These floods were intensified by climate change, with rainfall becoming 75% more intense due to the rising of global temperatures.
Bangladesh is another country significantly impacted by climate change, accounting for around 0.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its low emissions, Bangladesh is facing serious dangers from rising sea levels, which are expected to displace up to 20 million people by 2050. The country is subject to regular storms and flooding, which have disastrous consequences for its highly populated coastal districts. For example, the 2019 storm Fani affected millions of people and caused significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.
Lastly, Mozambique accounts for about 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts such as cyclones and droughts. In recent years, the country has been hit by several severe cyclones, including Cyclone Idai in 2019, which caused over $1 billion in damage and displaced thousands of people. The agriculture sector, which employs over 70% of the population, suffers tremendously from these extreme weather occurrences, resulting in food insecurity and rising poverty levels.
This shows that countries that are the least contributors were affected the most. So how do international communities see this rising problem? Could we get hope that this climate issue can be seen as “Climate Justice”?
Climate Justice on the Global Stage: Hope or Hypocrisy?
The term “climate Justice” often revolves around the context of hope and hypocrisy:
Hope: There is no doubt that these worldwide initiatives provide a bit of hope. Agreements such as the Paris Accord have established ambitious goals for limiting global warming, and recent negotiations have centred on “loss and damage” money to assist nations most impacted by climate disasters. The presence of voices from underdeveloped countries, Indigenous groups, and young activists has boosted optimism. These organizations are advocating for fair solutions that safeguard vulnerable communities that are least responsible for climate change yet face the most severe consequences.
Hypocrisy: However, there is a significant gap between what is promised and what is delivered. Wealthy countries, traditionally the major polluters, frequently promise financial assistance and carbon reductions but fail to follow through. For example, the projected $100 billion in annual climate financing for developing countries has yet to be realized. At the same time, many of these countries continue to invest in fossil fuels while encouraging poorer countries to adopt renewable energy—a double standard that demonstrates their lack of true commitment.
Conclusion: The worldwide fight for climate justice is at a crossroads. While meetings like COPs provide optimism by bringing nations together and establishing high goals, they frequently fail owing to hypocrisy and a lack of responsibility from wealthier countries. For meaningful development, words must be translated into actions—developed nations must follow their promises, assist disadvantaged countries, and accept responsibility for their previous emissions. Only then can we go beyond empty promises to true justice for all.
Author
Alina Sajid
Member Pakistan Youth Parliament