In recent years, we have witnessed climate disasters break out from different parts of the world, leaving the environments which we once turned to for solace in an unsafe state — threatening our health, livelihood, ecosystem, and our very existence.

A significant number of people have fled their homes to escape the harsh realities of climate change. As a matter of fact, since 2008, about 24 million people around the world have been displaced as a result of catastrophic weather disasters.

However, the damaging effects of climate change are not only disproportionately impacting people of color but also exacerbating these impacts in their communities and this is racial injustice.

In theory, racial justice ensures fair treatment of people of all races which then results in equitable outcomes and opportunities for everyone. In practice, however, this isn’t the case.

For one, the impacts of climate change are being felt more by the communities that are least responsible for climate change. These communities are dealing with extreme weather events like drought, heatwaves, floods, etc.

These harsh weather conditions, in turn, destroy their crops, homes, and livelihoods. But it doesn’t end there.

As people from these communities migrate to survive the disasters, they often face discrimination as they seek safety in other countries — a bad case of environmental racism.

Also, people of color and other marginalized communities mostly have to contend with polluting industries. This is because these extractive industries build their plants in these communities and cause harm to the inhabitants – polluting water, food air, and degrading land.

Way forward

Thanks to the spotlight on the climate crisis and racial injustice in recent times, people have begun to become more aware of racialized communities and are holding governments and corporations accountable for a just transition. There is still so much to be done.

To achieve racial justice, the world must first accept that racial justice is, in fact, climate justice.

Marginalized communities also need all the financial help they can get to adapt to the disproportionate impacts of climate-related disasters. This can be in form of aid, loans, or debt relief from developed countries.

The world must support eco-friendly businesses that are owned by these marginalized communities and empower them via jobs and investments.

Finally, we all need one another in this fight to end racial injustice. Affected communities as well as other communities that care for justice must come together to advance the racial justice movement.