Climate Solutions: The Rise of Climate Justice

 As the world continues to fight back against the escalating impacts of climate change, it becomes increasingly clear that technical solutions are not enough. A transformative approach from the systematic level that addresses economic, environmental, and social dimensions of the crisis. Climate justice takes this approach as a powerful framework that not only confronts the root causes of climate change but also promotes equity and accountability in the fight for a sustainable future. 

At its core, climate justice recognizes that climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a human rights issue. ​​The concept is commonly used to highlight the unequal share of responsibility that different countries and communities have had for causing the climate crisis throughout history. It suggests that the countries, industries, businesses, and people that have become wealthy from emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases have a responsibility to help those affected by climate change, particularly the most vulnerable countries and communities, who often are the ones that have contributed least to the crisis, (UNDP Climate Promise, 2023). Aspects of climate justice explain the groups most affected by climate impacts: women, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples, low-income countries and families, and children and young people. Climate justice calls for these communities to be placed at the forefront of climate action rather than being pushed to the margins.

One of the ways climate justice serves as a solution to climate change is by challenging the systems that created and continue to fuel that crisis. For centuries, extractive industries and exploitative economic models have prioritized profits over people and the planet. Climate justice calls for a shift away from fossil fuel dependency and toward systems of energy and resources that are democratic, regenerative, and community-led. Young climate leaders and international organizations are working toward this transformative future. In 2022, the UN General Assembly declared that access to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a universal human right. It is expected to catalyze action to empower ordinary people to hold their governments accountable. This transition will help to reduce carbon emissions while fostering local resilience and redistributing power to historically marginalized groups. 

Moreover, climate justice emphasizes inclusive policy-making. Solutions developed without community input often fail to address the specific needs and realities of those on the frontlines of climate change. For example, a top-down approach to renewable energy infrastructure might ignore land rights or displace local residents. In contrast, climate justice advocates for participatory processes that respect cultural practices, protect livelihoods, and ensure equitable and effective solutions. In 2019, the Maryland State Senate passed a bill that appropriated $7 million in clean energy funding specifically for small, minority, women-owned, and veteran-owned clean energy businesses and offers grants to clean energy employers that sponsor registered apprentices and utilize Project Labor Agreements. This policy action, as well as many more, creates more robust, adaptable systems that are better suited to handle climate challenges. 

Another key aspect of climate justice is the principle of reparative action. Wealthier nations and corporations have historically contributed the most greenhouse gas emissions. Climate justice holds these entities accountable and calls for them to fund adaptation and mitigation efforts in vulnerable regions. The Washington State Senate implemented a bill in 2021 that required improved air quality in communities disproportionately overburdened by pollution and directed a minimum of 35% of carbon pricing revenues to such communities. Additionally, the New Jersey Legislature passed a bill in 2021 that required the Department of Environmental Action to evaluate environmental and public health stressors of certain facilities on overly impeded communities when reviewing certain permit applications. These examples demonstrate how climate justice can be translated into concrete policies that address past harms while promoting a more equitable and sustainable future.

Finally, climate justice expands the conversation to include intergenerational equity. Yale’s program on Climate Change Communication (2025) conducted a survey that found only about one-third of Americans have heard of climate justice, but after reading a description of its goals, many more Americans support climate justice (53%) than oppose it (19%). This suggests that increasing awareness and education around climate justice can play a significant role in building public support for long-term, inclusive climate solutions. Framing climate action as a moral responsibility to both current and future generations, climate justice promotes a deeper sense of urgency and shared accountability across society.

In conclusion, climate justice is a crucial solution to combating the worsening effects of climate change globally. It is a central, solutions-driven approach that addresses inequality, empowers communities, and promotes systemic change. Despite the challenges, climate justice is on the rise, which encourages hope to achieve a sustainable future for generations of communities to come.