Climate change is a physical manifestation of human systems of racial and colonial oppression, where some people benefit and many people are harmed. Climate justice requires intersectional racial justice, through reparation, care, and decolonization. To care about the climate we must care about people and center those furthest from justice in all conversations, actions, and efforts to respond to climate change.
Equity of voice is the first step towards equity in action. Frontline communities are those who bear the brunt of climate and health impacts. Frontline communities include, but are not limited to: communities of color, the poor and working class, birthing people, and young people who inherit the climate from the previous generation. Amplify, invest in, and listen to people and communities on the front lines of climate impacts.
A shared sense of community responsibility and civic engagement are key to a healthy society. There are many ways to be civically engaged and build community around action for climate justice. We have the responsibility to find how we are called to disrupt systems of oppression, organize for liberation, and care and repair.
Connected and prepared communities are vital for adapting to our new climate era. We, together across differences, have incredibly powerful insight, tools, capabilities, and resources to protect and care for one another in the face of climate impacts.
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