Munich Re Foundation From Knowledge to Action
EN
Pin cards on board

Climate justice: The foundation of socio-ecological change

Volume 178 of "politische ökologie" published by oekom
(full version only available in German)

    alt txt

    properties.trackTitle

    properties.trackSubtitle

    Co-published by the Academy for Political Education, Tutzing, and Munich Re Foundation
    01 October 2024
    Global warming is exacerbating existing injustices. While some countries and population groups that have contributed most to climate change are better able to protect themselves from its worst effects, others are suffering disproportionately. The climate crisis therefore requires answers to the question of how to achieve justice – within societies and across borders and generations – in dealing with climate change. One thing is certain: without climate justice, which combines social fairness with ecological sustainability, no real transformation will be achieved. A fairer world is possible, but only if we are willing to create it.
    Cover of Edition 178
    © oekom

    Editorial - Anke Oxenfarth

    Climate change does not affect everyone equally. One of its pitfalls is that those who have historically contributed most to it through their lifestyle and economic activities often have the means to protect themselves from its most severe effects. The poorest and least responsible, on the other hand, are left unprotected – not only in the Global South, but also in the Global North. Increasing numbers of heat waves, storms and extreme weather events are exacerbating difficult living conditions all over the world. Tackling the climate crisis therefore raises profound questions of responsibility and justice. First emerging as a term in climate policy discussions in the late 1990s, climate justice has now become a central issue in international climate negotiations. While in the beginning the main focus was on the “climate debt” of industrialized nations and the necessary contribution of countries with currently high greenhouse gas emissions, the question of how to provide financial compensation for economic, ecological, cultural and social losses and damages, which will become more dramatic with every degree of global warming, is now also being discussed. The authors of this issue, well aware that there can be no successful transformation without climate justice, look at solutions that combine ecological sustainability with social justice and break the chains of the capitalist economy. In addition to global issues, the issue also addresses how to achieve justice within societies and across generations when dealing with climate change. One key to this is the genuine political participation of those who have been marginalized so far: indigenous groups, women, young people and older people. A fairer world is possible if we are willing to create it.

    The English version of the essay "Africa’s efforts to combat the climate crisis" by Victoire Ghafi Kondi Akara is available here:

    Pincards on board
    Essay by Victoire Ghafi Kondi Akara
    Africa’s efforts to combat the climate crisis
    Pin cards on board
    © Munich Re Foundation

    Project partner

    oekom logo
    Publisher
    oekom
    Logo für Akademie für Politische Bildung
    Co-Publisher
    Akademie für Politische Bildung
    Logo MRF
    Co-Publisher
    Munich Re Foundation