Climate Equity and Social Justice

The consequences of global warming will not be evenly distributed within or among global populations. Economic activities of large urban areas and wealthier populations are the dominant source of the greenhouse gas emissions producing today’s global warming.  However, it is the poor, homeless, infirmed, elderly, youth, special needs populations, and rural communities that will experience the greatest adverse affects of those emissions.

Rising incidences of climate-related disease and illness, increased vulnerability to extreme storm, heat, and drought events, and reduced access to public services and economic opportunities are just some of the possible consequences for these groups and regions.

Our Climate Equity and Social Justice Program seeks to understand the causes, consequences, and options for ameliorating such disproportional impacts. We employ two strategies toward this goal – research and technical assistance.

Our research seeks to understand the dynamic interplay between climate change, human health, human rights, and social inequities. For example, we are investigating which populations and communities are most likely to experience specific adverse health impacts from climate change. As with all of our programs, we link this research with service. We offer education and training workshops, provide group facilitation, create resource guides and other materials, and work directly with  public, private, and community-based organizations to develop action plans and policies.