How to Discuss Climate Justice with Your Students?
Talking about climate justice with students means addressing climate change not only as an environmental issue but also as a matter of equity and human rights. This article first provides a scientific overview of this concept, then explores two concrete examples: the creation of the "Loss and Damage" Fund at the last COP 28 and the recent rulings against states for climate inaction. Lastly, we will introduce an activity from the Office for Climate Education to be conducted in class, designed to raise your students' awareness of these issues and develop their critical thinking on the subject.
Emissions are Unevenly Distributed
Climate justice initially rests on the recognition of inequalities in both current and especially historical contributions to greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and its impacts. If we consider the year 2017, China followed by the United States, the European Union, and India accounted for 58% of global CO2 emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Looking at cumulative emissions since 1750, the United States ranks first in global CO2 emissions. This notion of historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions is fundamental when addressing the issue of climate justice: which regions bear the responsibility for the impacts of current climate change? Another factor to consider when discussing this concept of climate justice is the annual CO2 emissions per capita, which reveal even more pronounced disparities and also illustrate that a region with one of the highest global annual contributions, like China, has a relatively low per capita annual contribution compared to other regions. These disparities in annual CO2 emissions per capita span a wide range, according to the latest IPCC report, ranging from 0.8 tons per capita in Africa to 17 tons per capita in North America; this means that a person in North America emits on average more than 20 people in Africa.
Read the summary for teachers of the latest IPCC report
The Importance of Climate Justice
Climate justice is a crucial concept when addressing climate change because it denounces and aims to reduce the fundamental injustice faced by certain populations due to these changes: those who contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions are often the hardest hit by their effects. This inequality among populations regarding the impacts of climate change has profound social, economic, and health repercussions, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.
Discussing the concept of climate justice in class allows students to understand the connections between climate, environment, and social justice, and encourages them to think about equitable and sustainable solutions. It also promotes the development of their empathy and sense of responsibility while helping them understand how our actions at the local level can impact the other side of the world.
Climate Justice is Also Local
The concept of climate justice extends beyond just international inequalities; it also illuminates disparities within societies themselves in relation to climate change. Within the same community, depending on our financial and social means, we may be more or less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. For instance, farmers are generally more exposed to climate hazards compared to professions less dependent on the environment.
Moreover, climate justice provides a framework for exploring intergenerational responsibility. It helps understand and address the claims of the youth, who, although they did not contribute to the origin of the problem, are forced to deal with the consequences of climate change.
Discussing Concrete Examples of Climate Justice with Your Students
The COP 28 "Loss and Damage" Fund
The Loss and Damage Fund is an international financial mechanism created during COP 28 to assist developing countries in dealing with climate disasters, including through the financing of adaptation projects. This fund aims to address climate damages without assigning legal liability. It was agreed at COP21 in 2015 that international measures to address loss and damage would not result in any liability or compensation.
This fund responds to the increase in extreme weather events in recent years (typhoons, floods, droughts, etc.). The increase in these events and the ever-greater damage underscore the necessity of the fund and highlight the need for international solidarity towards the most vulnerable countries, especially small island states threatened by rising sea levels.
Using this concrete example, you can show your students how developed countries, which have historically emitted the most greenhouse gases, are taking steps to help developing countries overcome the devastating impacts of climate change. However, it is interesting to reflect together on the complexity and challenges associated with implementing these commitments. This illustrates the principle that those who are least responsible for climate change are often those who suffer its worst effects, and therefore why international solidarity and financial support are essential to address these inequalities.
Rulings of the European Court of Human Rights
For the first time, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued rulings on climate issues, condemning Switzerland following a petition by the "Elderly for Climate," a group of women aged over 64. They highlighted the "failures of Swiss authorities to mitigate the effects of climate change."
The ECHR ruled that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights establishes a right to effective protection against the serious adverse effects of climate change on life, health, well-being, and quality of life. This decision marks a fundamental first in linking the European Convention on Human Rights to climate change.
This ruling in favor of the Elderly for Climate in Switzerland is both a symbolic and legal victory, illustrating the ECHR's recognition of climate change as an existential threat to humanity and an intergenerational challenge. Although other petitions, including one by a group of young Portuguese and one by Damien Carême, former mayor of Grande-Synthe in France, were rejected, these decisions reflect a growing awareness among courts on climate issues.
This example is particularly relevant to present to students in a course on climate justice, as it highlights the intersection between human rights and environmental challenges. By illustrating how a high-level judicial institution, like the ECHR, can influence national policies on climate, this case demonstrates the importance of legal recourse in the fight against climate change. It also shows that environmental protection is now recognized as a fundamental right, which can inspire students to understand the crucial role of laws and international institutions in promoting climate justice.
In-Class Pedagogical Activity
To address the concept of climate justice with your students, the OCE proposes a philosophical debate activity, based on role-playing, lasting a total of 1.5 hours. This activity aims to sensitize students to the inequalities in greenhouse gas emissions and the disproportionate impacts of climate change. After an hour of preparation, students discuss questions such as: Should we welcome climate refugees? Should developed countries pay more to mitigate climate change? Why should we act if others do not? By playing different roles, they explore these issues and others, confronting perspectives on individual and governmental responsibility and action. The activity concludes with a reflection on climate justice in terms of responsibility and vulnerability, enabling students to develop a critical understanding of the issues and an ethical awareness of the actions needed for a sustainable future.
Discover the lesson D3 "Climate Justice"
Integrating real-life examples
To enrich the discussion, you can integrate the concrete examples we've just discussed, or similar ones. These cases illustrate how climate justice is being tackled on an international and national scale, and show the importance of solidarity and responsibility in the fight against climate change.
Conclusion
Climate justice is not merely a matter of scientific facts and figures. It touches on the core ethical and moral values of our societies. By integrating concrete examples and encouraging critical thinking through educational activities, you can help your students understand the complex issues of climate justice and develop a global and intergenerational consciousness. These discussions and activities prepare your students to become informed citizens involved in the fight for a more equitable and sustainable future.