Download Climate Justice Fact sheet

Climate Justice
Fact sheet
Did you know?

It is widely recognised that we need to limit the rise in global temperatures to 2˚C in order to avoid
dangerous climate change. However, for many of the world’s poorest people climate change is
already dangerous.

Rich countries are responsible for 7 out of every 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted since the
industrial era, while least developed countries produce just 0.5% of current global emissions.
What is Climate Justice?
Although climate change is a global problem and its effects (impacts) can vary greatly in different parts of the world
the risks are not distributed equally. Therefore we need a global response to the problem. Those who are most
vulnerable to the most severe impacts are the poorer, more marginalised countries around the world. Ironically, they
are often the countries that contribute least to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. This situation
is unjust.
Who is at risk?
The majority of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas and rely on agriculture as their main form of income. They
depend heavily on the land, water resources and on the weather. Even the smallest changes in the weather, brought
about by changes to the climate, can make poor people more vulnerable due to the impacts this has on basic but
essential resources such as food and clean water.
Likewise, when people do not have secure and clean energy supplies they can depend on traditional cooking
methods, which can be harmful to people’s health, in particularly to women and children.
Rising sea levels are causing flooding in low lying areas, particularly in the islands and archipelagos of the South
Pacific. This is forcing people to move out of their homes and their communities, causing disruption to many people’s
lives.
The main impacts of climate change in developing countries are:
 Drought and flooding
 Food insecurity
 Health problems
 Sea level rise
 Loss of land and habitats
 Extreme weather events and natural disasters
 Being forced to move because of environmental problems
Who has the responsibility?
Ireland, as a developed country with a high carbon footprint, has a responsibility to assist the less developed countries
in adapting to the impacts of climate change by providing financial and technical support. For example, our advances
in renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar power can be transferred to less developed countries to
ensure that they can develop their economy, but in a more low carbon and sustainable manner. We also have a
responsibility to dramatically reduce our own carbon emissions to allow such growth in other countries.
However, in order for this to happen, we need a global agreement on climate change, one that is fair to the poorer
countries of the world. We need a clear path on how to minimise the negative impacts and maximise the opportunities,
with legally binding emissions reduction targets for every country. In April 2015, Governments from all over the world
met in Paris to try to reach such an agreement.
What can we do?
As global citizens, we all have a responsibility to be responsible stewards of the earth.
 When we waste energy, when we drive our cars unnecessarily, when we buy products that are harmful to the
environment, we are impacting on the lives of others all around the world.

For your campaign, why not choose a country that is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Research
the weather, the climate, the agricultural practices, the culture, and the governance of that country. Find out
what other more developed countries and charities are doing to help, and whether this is making a difference.

Run a campaign to ask your local politicians what they think Ireland should be doing to help the more
vulnerable poorer countries in the world adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Run an awareness campaign to help Irish people to understand how their actions here at home can affect
people all over the world and how one good idea could help millions of poorer people in less developed
countries. For example, Young Scientist Exhibition in 2010 winner created a simple biomass, low carbon,
energy efficient stove for developing countries!
Remember to think globally, and act locally!
Websites:
http://www.mrfcj.org
http://www.oxfamireland.org/
http://gdrights.org/
http://climatewisewomen.org/
http://www.climate-justice-action.org/
http://www.trocaire.org/climatejustice
http://www.selfhelpafrica.org/
http://unfccc.int/2860.php
http://www.trocaire.org
http://www.ejcc.org/
Videos:
Xiuhtezcatl, Young Indigenous Climate Activist speaking at a high level UN event
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeXLuywliFI
Mary Robinson speaking at the One Young World Summit 2014 in Dublin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b8X1Qv9YWM
Various expert speakers at the Climate Justice Conference 2015
http://www.trocaire.org/climate-justice-2015
President of The Kiribati Islands in the Pacific Ocean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ooQ_JQ16kI
Ms. Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, Civil Society Representative from the Marshall Islands, speaking at the opening of the United
Nations Climate Summit 2014 about the impacts of climate change on her community
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc_IgE7TBSY