TOOLKIT

The Connection Between Environmental Justice and Climate Justice
Some of the same polluting facilities that are disproportionately affecting the health and
wellbeing of communities of color and low income communities, such as coal fired power plants,
are major contributors to emissions of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change. As
illustrated in the Climate Justice section, climate change then also disproportionately impacts
communities of color. Therefore, the intersections in the foci and aims of these two inextricably
connected movements are clear.
The vision of a blended Environmental and Climate Justice framework is to alleviate and
ultimately dissolve the burdens created by both the drivers and impacts climate change and
other environmental injustices. This is an expansion of traditional environmental justice. It
requires and calls for the fair treatment of all people and freedom from discrimination within the
creation of policies that address climate change and the systems that cause climate change.
Below are the possible human and civil rights that are often violated by climate change and
environmental issues.
INJUSTICE
Climate change disproportionately negatively impacts those who are least responsible
for its advancement, namely persons of color and low income communities.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Right to Self Determination
Right to Safe and Healthy Work Conditions
Right to Highest Standard of Physical and Mental Health
Right to Food
Right to a Decent Living Condition
Equal Rights Between Men and Women
Right of Youth and Children to be Free From Exploitation
CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Ensuring peoples' physical integrity and safety
Protection from discrimination on grounds such as gender, religion, race, sexual
orientation, national origin, age, immigrant status, etc.
Equal access to health care, education, culture, etc.
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