Why social justice is a climate matter

Climate action protects human beings. Even more, it offers us the opportunity to envision the world we want to live in and pass on. For how we tackle climate change directly affects the fabric of our societies, the welfare of communities and the understanding between present and future generations.

Civil societies are stronger and more resilient if the livelihoods of their citizens and the well-being of future generations are secure. Unmitigated climate change, however, exacerbates social inequalities. It makes the poor even poorer and puts the vulnerable even more at risk – whether in the industrialized world where, for instance, storms and floods can devastate livelihoods or in the Global South, where droughts and the lack of water impoverish whole communities.

Climate change is caused by people alive today but will leave a significant burden for future generations. This injustice can only be addressed by climate action that effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

These emissions, however, are not equally distributed around the world. The difference between the Global North and the Global South is striking. The richest 10% of the world, mostly in the Global North, including Europe, have carbon footprints 11 times higher than the poorest 50% in terms of individual consumption.¹ However, the poorest half of the world’s population is hit first and worst by the impacts of the climate crisis. This is why the climate justice movement advocates for rich industrialised countries to take responsibility for their historic emissions and the associated climate impacts.

Effective climate action can help prevent and mitigate environmental disasters that would otherwise lead to even further hardship and social injustice across the world. In doing so, it strengthens communities and contributes to a fairer world – for present and future generations.

EDGE Funders Alliance is a network of foundations and individual philanthropists committed to supporting justice, equity, and the well-being of the planet. The network closely works with social movements and activists to promote systemic change philanthropy.