“Climate Justice”
Definitions
“Climate justice is the moral and ethical principle that seeks to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and future generations. It recognizes that the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and resource scarcity, are not distributed equally, with marginalized and disadvantaged populations often bearing the brunt of these effects. Climate justice advocates for equitable solutions that prioritize the needs of those who are most affected by climate change, strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure that the burdens and benefits of climate action are distributed fairly, taking into account historical and systemic inequalities.”
- Oxfam (accessed January 27, 2026)(Boston-based (Oxfam-America) global group “that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice”:
Climate justice means recognizing that those who contribute least to carbon emissions are paying the highest cost. It also means holding responsible the countries, corporations, and people driving our climate crisis. Marginalized communities and organizations serving them in the U.S. and around the world are leading efforts to protect themselves against the escalating impacts of climate change. We must support them.”
- 350 Colorado (accessed January 27, 2026)(Colorado chapter of US-based climate activist group):
“Climate justice is a particular type of environmental activism that addresses the social and ethical dimensions of climate change, not just the physical effects of our warming planet. Climate justice means thinking about climate change as a social issue, and acknowledging that vulnerable communities will bear the greatest costs of climate change –- low-income communities, people of color, indigenous people, and older or young people. These impacts include wildfires, air pollution, access to water, rising sea levels, and more.”